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Planning ahead Businesses across the Wimmera will join ACE Radio Broadcasters in a new campaign designed to fill a trading void left by the cancellation of this year’s Wimmera Machinery Field Days. Story, page 25 Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

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PRIME INDUSTRY: From left, Jim Reynen, Brendan O’Loughlin, Jodie Eagle, Glen Hobbs, Peter Hobbs and Lee Meadows discuss ACE Radio’s AgLife Digital project at Wimmera Mallee Ag. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Harvest boosts buyer confidence W

BY DYLAN DE JONG

immera agriculture businesses expect a major multimedia event in early March coupled with a favourable grain-harvest season will compound buyer confidence and stimulate the region’s economy.

Businesses will join ACE Radio Broadcasters for a week-long event designed to fill a trading void left by the cancellation of this year’s Wimmera Machinery Field Days due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event, AgLife Digital, will combine the network’s radio stations 3WM and MIXX FM, The Weekly Advertiser and online media patforms. Farm-industry businesses such as Horshambased Wimmera Mallee Ag and Traction Ag will run a series of ‘come-and-try’ days and promote products and services from March 1-5. The promotion will run at the same time the field days would normally run. Wimmera Mallee Ag business manager Jodie Eagle said a positive Wimmera 2020-21 wintercrop harvest season created increased buyer confidence from producers and farmers. “The harvest from last year has already really boosted sales. It’s a good sign things are going well,” she said. “All the farmers we’ve spoken to are pretty happy with the outcome from harvest.” Ms Eagle said she expected the AgLife Digital promotion would contribute to a more ‘personalised’ experience, where customers could trial machinery. “It will be a good opportunity to promote our products more one-on-one with our customer base. It’s something that needed to be done to fill the gap left by the field days,” she said. “We will be able to do more demonstrations with our customers, whereas at the field days you can’t demo mowers and start up augers.” Ms Eagle said the business had already seen a ‘significant’ benefit from transitioning to an online format. “You’ve got to be integrating multimedia platforms in your business, because everyone Wednesday, January 27, 2021

“It will be a good opportunity to promote our products more one-on-one with our customer base. It’s something that needed to be done to fill the gap left by the field days”

– Jodie Eagle

is on the iPads or phones these days,” she said. “We’ve noticed since we jumped on board with ACE Digital, our website brings in so many extra inquiries from as far as South Australia and NSW.” Service and sales specialist Glen Hobbs said since harvest had finished in late 2020, machinery inquiries and demand for services from farmers had ‘dramatically’ increased. “When there’s a good harvest, there’s more confidence in everything and at the minute we’re absolutely flat out,” he said. “We are seeing a flow-on effect from the harvest period.” Stawell Road business Traction Ag, which will also take part in the event, plans to run a series of ‘come-and-try’ days during the week. AG Co Australia national sales manager Steven Nankivell, who works with the business, said the AgLife Digital event would give the business an opportunity to promote its services and machinery face-to-face. “It’s just a matter of meeting real people,” he said. “When I worked in England, it was very easy to sit in head office and deal with people on the phone. “But to actually get out and deal with people face-to-face and know that we’re helping them by hopefully providing the best equipment and service in the industry – it just makes the whole thing rewarding, I just love it.” Mr Nankivell encouraged Wimmera farmers and producers to attend the business’s event on March 3 and 4. “We can expect a couple of really great days from Traction Ag,” he said. “Come in, see it, drive it and speak to the product experts.”

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‘Cracking’ year for vigneron A

BY DYLAN DE JONG

Wimmera winemaker has confidence 2021 is shaping up to be a ‘cracking’ year in wine production as his grape varieties start approaching a ripening process.

Norton Estate business owner Chris Spence is one of many grape growers in the region preparing for crush season, which he says is likely to start late February. Mr Spence said he expected quality and quantity of his grape varieties would be far better compared with last season, which he described as a ‘disastrous’ 2019-20 harvest. The family-owned winery grows cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc and shiraz varieties on a farm at Lower Norton, 15 kilometres southwest of Horsham. Mr Spence said a wet spring in 2020 coupled with mild summer temperatures was contributing to steady growth at his vineyard. “The season started off perfectly with a wet September and first half of October. We saw great growth in the vineyards, where the buds shot away really well,” he said. “The bunches seem to be forming really well and we’re actually two weeks ahead in development compared with last year. “But we haven’t quite seen any form of ripening as yet.”

CHEERS: Norton Estate business owners Sam and Chris Spence toast a positive year ahead, with quality and quantity of the estate’s grape varieties exceeding previous years. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER Mr Spence said warm weather, like what the Wimmera experienced at the weekend, would likely hasten the ripening process. “We’re starting to see those warming spells so the ripening will likely happen very quickly, I’m predicting,” he said. “Relatively dry summers, cool nights and warm days make for perfect ripening weather.” Mr Spence said consistent high temperatures and low humidity contributed to poor yields in the last crush season. “Last season was a disaster for the whole southeast of Australia due to that December heat wave,” he said.

“This year we’ve had a cool summer and cool spring. This has allowed the vines to develop good bunches, berry sizes and hold good leaf. “We also had six weeks’ more rain, which has given the vines a massive boost in their fertility – it should be a cracking year this year.” Mr Spence said the winery was also preparing a rare American variety called Norton. Only one other winery in the country has Norton growing. He said the family planted the vines four years ago. Horticulturalist Daniel Norton first cultivated the variety in the 1820s in

Richmond, Virginia. “This variety didn’t make its way into many other countries due to being very difficult to propagate,” he said. “We’ve had 68 of these Norton vines growing for four years now, and they’ve proven themselves. “We’ve had to be very patient in waiting for the first vines to be propagated, then planting and training them up.” Mr Spence said the flavour shared qualities of European wine varieties. “It’s an American vine but it’s very European in its flavours – like a sangiovese but with the tannin base of a cabernet sauvignon,” he said.

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igh-yielding crops across the region have pressed Agriculture Victoria to urge grain growers to reduce opportunities that promote a build-up of mice in the lead-up to sowing season.

Strong cropping seasons in parts of the Wimmera, southern Mallee and Western District during the past two years have created ideal circumstances for mice in some paddocks. Agriculture Victoria’s Heather Drendel said there had been reports across the WimmeraMallee of mouse activity in crops during harvest. “Growers should be monitoring paddocks for excess grain and for the presence of mice during summer to assess the risk in the lead-up to sowing time,” she said. CSIRO rodent research officer Steve Henry said farmers should bait six weeks before sowing in cases where there were significantly high num-

bers of mice. “It’s important to continue monitoring after baiting to determine if a second bait application is required after sowing,” he said. “Farmers should also talk to their bait suppliers early if they think they will need to apply bait at sowing. “It is also good to deplete residual grain from paddocks because baits might be less effective when mice have access to alternative food sources. “One tonne per hectare of grain equates to about 2000 grains per square metre. “In contrast, the bait is applied at only three grains per square metre. “Where possible, grazing stubble sufficiently and spraying volunteer crops can make a real difference to residual food stocks to mice.” Ms Drendel said if grazing stock, farmers should maintain a minimum of 50 percent ground cover to reduce the likelihood of soil loss to wind erosion.

She said 70 percent ground cover minimised the risk of water erosion. Hopetoun farmer Lucas Puckle baited half of his farm for mice in autumn 2020 following a good season in 2019. However, he observed mice at night in his barley, lentil and wheat crops during the recent harvest. “We had to harvest a crop of barley that had fallen over, with the header front almost on the ground,” he said. “In the morning I noticed 50 to 60 dead mice in the sieves.” Although grain losses at harvest were minimal for Mr Puckle, he intends to reduce feed availability to mice. “We’re trying to ‘sheep’ our paddocks to get rid of the feed and I am thinking they won’t breed up too much if there’s not too much feed on the ground,” he said. People seeking more information can visit website www.csiro.au/en/Research/ Farming-food/Invasive-pests/ Mouse-Census.

High-rain areas target Every locality has its own spectrum of weeds, and growers face different opportunities and challenges regarding the control tactics they can employ. A WeedSmart Big 6 approach is a practical way to ensure an integrated weed-management program can disrupt weed-seed production and the evolution of herbicide resistance. Jana Dixon has joined a WeedSmart team of extension agronomists, with a focus on applying the Big 6 to manage weeds in the high-rain cropping systems of southern Australia – from Esperance in WA to south-eastern South Australia, Tasmania and south-western Victoria. Ms Dixon is from the mid-north of South Australia and started working at Pinion Advisory while studying agriculture at the University of Adelaide. She has worked full-time at Pinion since January 2019 as an agribusiness consultant, based in Clare, and spends most of her time providing agronomy and farm-business advice to clients from a wide range of cropping regions in South Australia. Pinion Advisory is a foundation WeedSmart sponsor and Ms Dixon has already been involved in two WeedSmart Week events – the first as a participant and grower-group organiser at an event in Horsham in 2019. Program manager Lisa Mayer said Ms Dixon brought energy, commitment and insight. “Growers in the southern high-rain zones are facing some serious issues with herbicide resistance influencing their farming decisions,” she said. “Jana will be engaging with agronomists, growers and researchers to understand the

Jana Dixon complexities and look for practical ways to apply the WeedSmart Big 6 in various cropping scenarios.” Ms Dixon said she had spoken to many growers and agronomists who had found value in the information the WeedSmart provided. “For many it is as much about considering another operator’s philosophy on dealing with weeds, and taking a fresh look at their own systems, rather than just learning about a new tactic or the traits of a new herbicide in isolation from the big picture,” she said. WeedSmart is an industry voice providing science-backed weed control solutions with support from Grains Research and Development Corporation, major herbicide, machinery and seed companies, and university and government research partners. More information about managing herbicide resistance in weeds is available online at www. weedsmart.org.au.

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As a result of the warm, wet summer we have been experiencing, the worms in our paddocks are thriving. Over the last couple of weeks, the inhouse worm egg counts we have been doing have shown some alarming worm burdens present. A few practical tips for drenching, and avoiding resistance are: •O nly use effective drenches on your farm — This is different for everyone! •U se a combination of drenches through the year. •O nly drench when you need to – use worm egg counts to help determine timing. •D rench any sheep being brought into the farm and hold them separate for 10 days. •R otate paddocks as worm larvae live in the soil. •C onduct drench resistance tests every few years. If you have any questions about worm egg counts or drench resistance tests, please contact Katie at Lake Bolac on 5350 2440.

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BY DYLAN DE JONG

n evolving agriculture industry and campus modernisation are among factors attributed to increasing interest in studying at Longerenong College.

More than 60 students have selected the Wimmera college as their study option this year to pursue a diploma or certificate in farm-related courses. Training manager Barry Ray, who has worked at the college for more than 25 years, said the college had gone through a technological revolution in recent years with new facilities such as a DATA farm. He said the gradual transition to information technology, IT, in agriculture as part of the college’s curriculum was attracting a wider breadth of students year-on-year. “Student uptake is significantly up on the past few years – that is really positive coming out of last year,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of support from State Government with some of our upgrades including our DATA farm development, our main teaching area will be upgraded this year to the tune of $2-million and later this year we will start building new accommodation to the tune of $6.5-million. “There’s also a really positive fu-

WELCOME: Longerenong College training manager Barry Ray is expecting a positive year at the college with student numbers on the rise. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER ture for agriculture and on the back of a good harvest season this year – all those factors seem to be contributing to the strength of our reputation and the numbers we’re seeing.” Mr Ray said course content was aiming to keep pace with an ‘ag-tech evolution’. “We’re trying to harness the changes that are happening with the agtech movement,” he said. “Tech development in the industry is really exciting for young people. They can see there’s a broad range of career outcomes.

“It’s not just production agriculture anymore. In ag tech you gain data and it feeds into management decisions. “For example, you could be using frost sensors to cut cereal crops for hay and identify exactly where the frost influence is coming from rather than waiting to see where the damage is – this is a way to feed into data to assist in those major decisions on farm.” Mr Ray said students were moving from across the state and interstate to study at the college.

“These students are coming from right across Victoria up into southern New South Wales and the eastern half of South Australia as well,” he said. “There is also a few students from Tasmania – our spread is very wide. “We welcome that geographic variety because it helps the students learn from each other about their own back yards and they can provide each other with a broad knowledge of agricultural practices.”

Kealy slams trespass delay Member for Lowan Emma Kealy has criticised the State Government for delays in introducing laws imposing on-the-spot fines for people who trespass on farms. She said the law had yet to come into effect despite the government agreeing to its introduction six months ago. “Laws to impose on-the-spot fines to better protect Lowan farmers against farm trespass still haven’t been drafted,” she said. “A parliamentary inquiry recommended on-the-spot fines be implemented as a solution to stop extreme animal activists breaking into farms, stealing livestock and damaging biosecurity. But more than six months since the Andrews government agreed to the recommendation, farmers are still waiting for change.” Ms Kealy said other states had already put similar laws in place so there was no excuse for Victoria’s delays. “Farmers deserve to feel safe in their own homes, but the current soft rules embolden extreme activists to break the law instead of deterring them,” she said. Ms Kealy said the impact of farm trespass had taken a heavy emotional toll on farming families. “These farms are not just a business for the families who live on them, they’re home,” she said. “No more excuses – the new agriculture minister must ensure these reforms are drafted and ready when State Parliament returns in February.”

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Dollars flow after bumper season 95 Nelson Street, Nhill CALL 03 5391 2106

BY DYLAN DE JONG

egional managers in charge of major Wimmera and southern Mallee grain receival sites believe a socio-economic boost will flow on to rural and regional communities in 2021 following recordbreaking results for farmers and producers.

Several Victorian GrainCorp sites recorded their best season, including Lillimur in the west Wimmera, taking 122,000 tonnes, while Natimuk broke its 2012-13 harvest record by 10,000 tonnes. The two sites were among 60 in New South Wales and Victoria to record their highest-ever total of receivals of wheat, barley, canola and other grains. The combined intake across harvest totalled more than 13-million tonnes compared with 12.6-million tonnes of receivals in 2016-17. Southern Mallee area manager Phil Duynhoven said economic benefits from the ‘bumper season’ were likely to flow onto communities across western Victoria. “On the back of a good season there’s a lot more money that flows through the community, especially for the small country towns,” he said. “Additionally, a good season generally results in more employment across the board.

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

REASON TO SMILE: GrainCorp grain handlers, from left, Tom Jones, Jacob Glare, Kyra Clarke and Jackson Cross at Natimuk celebrating the end of harvest in December 2020. “The last couple of years we’ve had additional staff on at all country sites, which has been a real positive for the community and helps to bring new people into the community.” Mr Duynhoven said timely rain and improved farm practices were

contributing to consecutively strong harvests. “We had fairly decent rain throughout the growing season last year and generally had the right weather conditions all the way through,” he said. “The farm practices are also contin-

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ually improving, and we seem to be getting more yield with less rain year on year.” Wimmera area manager Gerard Bibby said practices such as direct drilling, where seed was placed in the ground without any prior soil cul-

tivation in the stubble of the previous crop, was one method contributing to high grain receivals. “Direct drilling is probably one of the biggest changes in the area. This helps to retain all the moisture in the ground,” he said. “High receivals in places like Natimuk could be attributed to rain just before harvest, which for the whole Wimmera, would have brought millions of dollars into the region – that last rain just topped us off perfectly.” Mr Bibby said crops such as canola, wheat and barley performed particularly well in the Wimmera. “Canola was well and truly above what was forecast in the Wimmera,” he said. “It varied around the Wimmera. Quite often you heard the six-tonneper-hectare mark for wheat and barley and around three tonnes for canola.” Operations general manager Nigel Lotz said the company’s focus had now turned toward exporting grain throughout the world. “The harvest not only reinvigorated many of our sites, it has also led to a strong export program out of our ports at Carrington and Port Kembla, in NSW, and Geelong and Portland, in Victoria,” he said. Mr Lotz said four ports were booked out until September 2021.

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Wednesday, January 27, 2021

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Look after your workmates

griculture Victoria district veterinary officer Dr Jeff Cave has urged people to take care to avoid exposing dogs travelling in the back of utes to heat stress on hot days.

Dr Cave said there was no argument that working dogs were a valuable and helpful asset to farmers and it stood to reason to take care of the animals. “While it is legal to allow appropriately restrained dogs to travel on the back of utes, dogs being left in the sun for long periods can quickly dehydrate or even die from heat stress,” he said. “Adequate shelter, for example a fixed canopy, needs to be provided to protect tethered dogs from extreme temperatures. “A lot of utes and tray backs these days are made of metal and will heat up quickly and could easily burn dogs’ paws.” New regulations introduced in Victoria in December 2019, require that when the temperature is 28 degrees or above that an area of insulating material be placed on the metal tray to protect the dog from the metal surface. “Ensure dogs kept in cages have adequate ventilation, particularly when the vehicle is not moving, and ensure all dogs are given regular access to cool water,” Dr Cave said. “Victoria’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act requires dogs travelling

SAFE MATES: Katelynn Clark, owner and breeder of Lyrahpark Kelpie Stud at Gerang Gerung, always travels with her dogs safely tethered or caged. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

in the back of utes, trailers or open tray trucks to be tethered or caged in a manner that prevents them from falling from the vehicle. The only exemption is when dogs are actively working livestock. “The tether should only be long enough to permit the dog to stand, lie down and move about but not so long that it could potentially let the dog fall off the vehicle and be dragged or strangled. “Tethering dogs should always be regarded as a temporary, short-term method of restraint. “In addition, it is an offence to leave

an animal unattended inside a motor vehicle when the outside temperature is 28 degrees or above, so be sure to make appropriate arrangements when you are travelling with animals.” Dr Cave said further advice was available from the RSPCA, veterinarians or Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health officers. Gerang Gerung kelpie breeder Katelynn Clark also stressed the need to keep the health of working dogs at the forefront of workplace consideration. “It is very important. Obviously they can be the main source of getting work done,” she said.

“It’s important to get them to the job and home safely. The time travelling to and from a job is very important because you just don’t know when accidents can happen. “Being secured in cages means they are fairly safe. If you end up with a rollover or something similar there are fewer possibilities of them suffering serious injuries or worse. “It might be only a five-minute drive, but who knows what can happen in that time. I love kelpies. Even if it’s not working stock – if you’re out fixing fences or whatever, they love being with you no matter what.”

Opportunity for exporters 95 Nelson Street, Nhill CALL 03 5391 2106

Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud is confident 2021 represents ‘a huge’ opportunity for agricultural, food and fisheries exporters as a range of tariff cuts and improved market access take effect. Mr Littleproud said market improvements would involve a range of commodities traded across America and Asia. He said further tariff reductions would be a major boost to an industry aim of achieving $100-billion in farmgate value by 2030. Mr Littleproud made the comments while reflecting on agreements, including an Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which he said allowed more than 99 percent of Australian goods exported to Indonesia to enter duty free or under improved and preferential arrangements. “Building on this, 2021 Tariff Rate Quotas have increased for live cattle, feed grain and citrus exports to Indonesia,” he said. “Tariffs on lamb and beef to Korea, some wine products and barley to Mexico and refined sugar to Canada will all fall in 2021, while exporters to Peru will benefit from tariff cuts on beef and sparkling wine as well as increased quotas for rice, dairy, sugar and sorghum.”

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Just taking the value of assets used, the median dollar value in 2019 of farm assets under management was $10,787,000. That was 18 months ago. Asset values have not remained stable. Apart from the value of assets being managed, the huge cost of inputs, cropping decisions in light of more volatile climatic conditions, agronomic decisions, no longer a single desk when selling grain – the volatility of grain prices, grain storage decisions just to name a few – add up to a very complex business model. This vastly more complex nature of broadacre farming as opposed to those in earlier generations, coupled with the significant investment in farm assets, means farming is serious business. Most serious businesses monitor performance and returns on investment, especially when multiple owners have invested their ‘hard earned’, with responsibility for performance in the hands of a chief executive or business manager. Non-farm businesses will measure returns on investment or profitability by using key performance indicators, KPIs. Many factors affect a KPI. For example, customer satisfaction, average dollars spent by each customer, sales per worker and service standards impact on bottom line profit. In farming, there is a massive difference in performance across the Wimmera. How is this measured? Without going into great detail I will refer to three KPIs taken from our most recent completed Wimmera Farm Performance Report – both the median result and that for the top 20 percent

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Horsham: Dean Toet 0429 891 369 | Dimboola: Jade Clark 0428 378 130 NutrienAgSolutions.com.au/finance/prepay-plus Important Information: Nutrien Ag Solutions Limited ABN 73 008 743 217 (Nutrien Ag Solutions), its employees, agents or contractors are not providing any financial, legal or tax advice. Nutrien Ag Solutions recommends that interested parties obtain their own independent tax and/or financial advice on the suitability and benefits of this product based on their specific circumstances. The ‘Prepayment Amount’ is to be redeemed within 12 months from the Prepayment Date and the Reward Amount must be redeemed on purchases of Goods from a Nutrien Ag Solutions store. The Prepayment Amount cannot be withdrawn. Depending on individual circumstances this product may provide tax benefits. Contact your local branch manager or Rural Finance Manager for the Full Terms and Conditions.*ATO Ruling PR 2019/3 is only a ruling on the application of taxation law as it applies to this Prepay Plus product. The ruling and any taxation outcomes referred to therein is only binding on the ATO if the Prepay Plus product is carried out in the manner outlined in the ruling.

farm will be quoted for the five-year rolling average to 2019. Return on farm assets under management at current-day valuations: Profit after all operating costs including owners’ wage, economic depreciation was 1.01 percent for the median farm in our report. The top 20 percent earned 5.87 percent. Farm operating costs as percentage of gross farm income: The median farm outlaid 60 percent of gross farm income. The top 20 percent of farms outlaid 41 percent during that five-year period. Farm income generated from farm assets under management – asset turnover ratio: The median farm over the five years to 2019 earned 9.24 percent of the value of farm assets under management. The top 20 percent of farms averaged 14.64 percent. This means that for every $100,000 of assets, the median farm earned $9240 in farm income. The top 20 percent earned $14,640 in income for every $100,000 in assets managed over that five-year period. It is only possible to gauge how any business is performing by measuring and monitoring the vital KPIs. This is not a one-off task – it becomes an essential part of any business management. KPI calculation needs to become an ongoing habit, an essential task that will provide feedback on each year’s results. For many it will become an essential aspect to ensure long-term viability, by helping build resilience in light of the many complex aspects of modern-day farm decision-making. • Watts Price Accountants of Horsham has reported on Wimmera farm performance since 1991 and prepares an annual report on 17 KPIs together with a five-year rolling average. It welcomes new participants.

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A beef about beef S

orry to burst the beef bubble. Yes, I’m about to put a pin to the beef bubble.

Hopefully it won’t make a really big bang as we’d all hate that. If you were lucky enough to sell cattle at the summer weaner sales, then hats off to you. If you were buying and ended up walking away empty handed, you’ve probably done the right thing. Thomas Elders market analyst Matt Dalgleish went through the numbers and farmers who bought steers weighing 365 kilograms will make a loss when the cattle are turned off in 10 months if they sell for much less than 400 cents a kilogram. Buying the lighter weaners at 250kg is still likely to be profitable. Last week the eastern young cattle indicator broke all records at 874 cents a kilogram. That puts our beef cattle at 20 percent higher than the United States, and double the prices in Argentina and Brazil, our major competitors. We export more than half of what we produce so it’s glaringly obvious that, ‘something’s gotta give’. At the moment, it’s the meat processors who are taking heavy losses. Beef-industry analyst Simon Quilty thinks not all processors can ride out the beef tsunami. “In today’s market, Australian meat processors who are trying to buy grass-fed cows and steers and sell around the world are experiencing losses of $250 to $350 per head,” he said. “These types of losses are often part of the beef cycle, but given where cattle prices are at, they are unsustainable and if prolonged will see permanent plant closures.” If that doesn’t worry you much, be prepared to get your knickers in a twist over this one. Victoria is now the only state in Australia that hasn’t

95 Nelson Street, Nhill CALL 03 5391 2106

Country Today with Libby Price

allowed Pacific Island workers in to work in meat processing. Yes, the only state. Why? Because the Andrews government is so gun shy about quarantining after the tragic COVID second wave, it hasn’t been able make a decision, until now. You can be forgiven for not noticing that Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes, who was flying under the radar on the issue, was surreptitiously promoted to Attorney-General just three days before Christmas. The new minister, who I admit I’ve never spoken to, is former teacher and unionist Mary-Ann Thomas. Whether she’s grasped the nettle, or if the anger from farmers with her government over allowing elite tennis players from countries still struck down by the pandemic into the country, it’s not clear, but late last Friday – the best time to make an announcement when you don’t want to garner too much attention – Victoria announced it had struck a deal with Tasmania for 1500 Pacific Islanders to quarantine on the Apple Isle for two weeks before crossing Bass Strait, while Tasmanians flying home from overseas would quarantine in Melbourne hotels. All well and good in theory, but agriculture is still short 25,000 workers and this band-aid move is little more than an insulting token.

FRESH CROP: Meg and Rod Blake of Bellellen Grampians Organics farm near Stawell are busy after a string of hot weather has helped bring on summer vegetables. Bellellen Grampians Organics grows a variety of crops. Picture: CONTRIBUTED

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Farmers back on the run BY DYLAN DE JONG

devastating fire that ripped through South Australian farmland prompted Wimmera and Lime Coast farmers to donate vital fodder to communities in need.

Wimmera farmers joined Mount Gambier Hay Runners in the immediate aftermath of fires that tore through Lucindale and Avenue Range to deliver more than 3000 bales of hay earlier this month. The blaze ripped through more than 15,000 hectares, killing livestock and destroying buildings. After catching word of a potential run, Green Lake grain farmer Daniel Mibus immediately stepped into action and joined a convoy of 12 trucks from the Wimmera to contribute to the cause. Mr Mibus said the empathy he felt for farmers who lost livestock and farmland compelled him to join the fleet. “We only had a few days to organise this run – the fire burned through on the Monday and by Saturday we were running trucks over with hay,” he said. “The Mount Gambier Hay Run guys and Lucindale Lions Club did a fantastic job helping us get

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

the hay off and we were in and out fairly quick.” Mr Mibus said he was ‘devastated’ when he saw the impacts the fire had on the farmland. “There was quite a lot of livestock lost and some farmers over there lost 100 percent of their grazing pastures, so they had nothing to feed their stock,” he said. “It was quite emotional because there were kids sitting on the outskirts of town holding up signs saying ‘thank you’. “It was really rewarding to be able to help these people out.” In a normal year, Mr Mibus would be returning home to the Wimmera after a big journey up north for the Australia Day Burrumbuttock Hay Run – an event where farmers deliver fodder to farmers in drought-stricken areas across the country. Last year 40 trucks from across western Victoria and South Australia transported thousands of bales of hay to farmers in droughtaffected Armidale in New South Wales. Mr Mibus said this would be the first time in 15 years the hay run was cancelled. Event organisers cancelled the run earlier this month due to the

“There was quite a lot of livestock lost and some farmers over there lost 100 percent of their grazing pastures, so they had nothing to feed their stock”

– Daniel Mibus

COVID-19 pandemic and complications around cross-border travel. “It’s been running for a fair while and there’s been a lot of trips. This is the first year in a while this couldn’t go ahead,” Mr Mibus said. “You might see these guys who go on the hay run once or twice a year, but you always have a good trip doing it and getting the hay to the farmers on the other end is the icing on cake for us.” Mr Mibus said he would continue to support the event if it went ahead next year. “Unless it happens to you, you would never know what it feels like to be affected by drought or fire,” he said. “I don’t know how I would react in the situation, because I haven’t been in it. “But while we can, we’ll help them out because we never know when that might happen to us.”

CONVOY: Wimmera farmers join a hay run to help fire-affected landowners in South Australia.

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Helping out mates 95 Nelson Street, Nhill CALL 03 5391 2106

Australian charity Rural Aid used Australia Day to launch its 2021 money-raising efforts. Rural Aid chief executive John Warlters said there was no better day or way to launch a ‘Mates Helping Mates’ campaign, than Australia Day. “Part of what makes Australia great is the way Aussies dig deep to help one another,” he said. “Rural Aid is asking the rest of the country to help a mate by making a donation in support of our hard-working farmers. “We all have a connection to the land, be it directly through a family member, or indirectly as a consumer of the world-class produce that comes from our farms. A donation to Rural Aid is a helping hand to a farmer.” Mr Warlters said money donated to Mates Helping Mates would help strengthen rural communities, as part of Rural Aid’s Stronger Futures program with its focus on mental wellbeing and community sustainability. “The campaign is a chance to acknowledge the vital role our farmers play by donating to Rural Aid, so we can continue to support our mates on the land,” he said. People can make donations online at www.ruralaid.org.au/ mates-helping-mates.

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Call out to help shape Victoria’s biosecurity “Like” Us On Facebook

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immera, Mallee and Grampians people and organisations can help shape Victoria’s biosecurity practices through an online survey.

Agriculture Victoria’s Understanding Victoria’s Biosecurity System Survey seeks to understand attitudes and knowledge of the state’s biosecurity system to improve how it prepares for and meets future biosecurity challenges. Biosecurity Services executive director Katherine Clift said biosecurity played a big role in protecting the state’s economy, environment and way of life. She encouraged farmers, businesses, industry groups and community members to contribute to the survey. “The agriculture sector contributes more than $14-billion to the Victorian economy, supporting essential food supply both here in Australia and overseas, and providing thousands of jobs,” she said. “In 2020, six farms tested positive for three different strains of avian influenza in Victoria. This was the largest avian influenza outbreak recorded in Australia and the most significant biosecurity event in Victoria for the past 20 years,

highlighting the importance of a strong biosecurity system. Timely, effective response is critical to rapid eradication of the disease, minimising the impacts on the poultry industry and maintaining the trust and confidence of consumers and trading partners.” Throughout the past 20 years, Australia has responded to biosecurity incursions, including Varroa mite, citrus canker and equine influenza as well as prepared for threats such as foot and mouth disease and African swine fever, all of which can have a significant economic effect. “Managing biosecurity risks is increasingly challenging, as international and interstate migration, climate change, tourism and increased movement of goods all contribute to the risk of new incursions,” Dr Clift said. She said government, industry and community needed to work together to prepare for, and respond to, current and future biosecurity risks. “Everyone has a part to play in protecting Victoria from the impacts of pests and diseases,” she said. “You can contribute to biosecurity by seeking advice when you see something unusual and reporting it, implementing good biosecurity measures in your

business or on your property, working with your community to manage pests such as gorse, Queensland fruit fly or rabbits and practising good hygiene while travelling. “These simple steps can help protect yourself and those around you, and keep our beautiful bush and bountiful farmland free from pests and diseases. “Taking part in the survey lets you have your say on issues ranging from potential biosecurity threats and impacts, to where you like to get your information from and what could be improved.” The survey results will be published online and will inform the development of future biosecurity policies. “Your participation in the survey will help identify how we strengthen Victoria’s biosecurity system,” Dr Clift said. This survey is part of the State Government’s $143-million investment into Strengthening Victoria’s Biosecurity System as part of the 2019-20 budget. Dr Clift said the online survey took about 15 minutes to complete and closed on February 11. People can complete the survey online at wmsr.com.au/agvic and visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/svbs-program for more information.

Jane Lovell

New era of leadership Wimmera-Mallee farmers and producers can expect to see a fresh face at the helm of peak farming representative body Victorian Famers Federation. Jane Lovell will join a new era of leadership in the organisation from mid-February when she is inaugurated as the new chief executive. Ms Lovell said she was determined to use her leadership position to highlight the critical need to promote agriculture as a key industry supporting the Australian economy. “We have some real challenges ahead to promote and secure the critical role farming has in our communities and for our state,” she said. “I look forward to getting out and connecting with our members to better understand their priori-

ties and concerns, and to working with the VFF team to provide a strong, united voice for Victorian farmers.” Federation president Emma Germano, who was elected late last year, said Ms Lovell would join the VFF with significant experience after working in several leadership positions in representative organisations such as Seafood Industry Australia. “Jane will bring a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the role and I look forward to working with her in continuing to move the VFF forward,” she said. “This external appointment will help to ensure the VFF is a contemporary organisation that represents today’s Victorian farming sector.”

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Proven through years of research, development and rigorous testing in both lab

and field, the advanced sealing technology within SEEDXTREME bearings Proven through years of research, development and rigorous testing in both lab significantly extends serviceand life, rigorous especially intesting dusty conditions. Proven through years development inboth bothlab lab Proven through yearsofsealing ofresearch, research, development rigorous testing in and field, the advanced technology withinand SEEDXTREME bearings and field, thethe advanced sealing bearings and field, advanced sealing technology SEEDXTREME significantly extends service life,technology especially within inwithin dustySEEDXTREME conditions. bearings significantly extends life, especially significantly extendsservice service life, especiallyinindusty dusty conditions. conditions.Mud slurry test hours Key benefits

PEER’s Research and Development • The PEER SEEDXTREME 5203 Mud slurry test hours Center utilises mud slurry testing to bearing is a direct replacement for Mud slurry slurry test hours Mud hours thoroughly study new bearing and seal standard 5203 bearings to 800 PEER’s Research and Development concepts. Mud slurry testing involves The PEER SEEDXTREME 5203 significantly extend PEER’s their life.Research and 800 Development • The PEER SEEDXTREME5203 5203 PEER’s Research and Development The PEER SEEDXTREME immersing bearings Center utilises mud slurry testing toin an abrasive 800 bearing is a direct replacement for6 seals at each • Features end,utilises mud slurry testing to 700 Center andtesting countingto the number of700 bearing is a directreplacement replacementfor forto most Center utilises mudliquid slurry bearing a direct thoroughly 700 competitive study new bearing and seal standardis5203 bearings tocompared hours before they under a consistent thoroughly study study new bearing and seal 600 standard 5203 bearingstobearings to thoroughly new bearing andfail seal only having 2-3 seals Mud at standard 5203 bearings concepts. slurry testing involves 600 load. Most bearings within the significantly extend their life. 600 concepts. Mud Mud slurry slurry testing involves concepts. involves significantly extendtheir theirlife. life. end. each immersing bearings intesting anabrasive abrasive 500 significantly extend agricultural environment break down immersing bearings in an 500 Features 6 seals at each end, immersing bearings in an abrasive Fits and closing • Features 6 seals each•end, end,most gauge wheels because the sealsofdeteriorate, which500 liquid and counting the number Features 6to seals atat each liquid and counting countingallows the number ofof to enter the 400 400 compared most competitive wheels that use a 5/8” or 16mm liquid and the number contaminants compared mostcompetitive competitive hours fail under underaaconsistent consistent 400 compared toto most hours before before they they fail mounting bearing andadry the lubricants, rather bearings only having 300 before they fail under consistent bearings only having2-3 2-3seals sealsatat bolt. hours 300 load. Most bearings within the load. Most bearings within the bearings only having 2-3 seals at • Inside diameter 0.64” (16.256mm) than bearings failing directly. 300 each end. load. Most bearings withinbreak the down each end. agricultural environment 200 agricultural environment break down • Outside diameter 1.574” (40mm) 200 each end. gauge wheels and closing Mud slurry testsdown are performed to 200 agricultural environment break Fits most • Fits most gauge wheels• and closing because deteriorate, which Width 1.737” (44.12mm) because the the seals seals deteriorate, which compare the life of different brands of 100 Fits most gauge wheels and closing 100 because the seals deteriorate, which wheels that use a 5/8” or 16mm wheels that use a 5/8” or 16mm allows to enter enter the bearings within the same environment. 100 allows contaminants contaminants to the wheels thatbolt. use a 5/8” or 16mm allows contaminants to enter the 00 The bar chart below compares the life mounting bearing lubricants,rather rather mounting bolt. bearing and and dry the lubricants, 0 mounting bolt. 0.64” bearing and dry the of lubricants, three differentrather brands of 5203 Inside diameter than failing directly. • Inside diameter 0.64”(16.256mm) (16.256mm) than bearings bearings failing directly. bearing at 500 rpm in the mud slurry Inside diameter 0.64” (16.256mm) than bearings failing directly. • Outside diameter1.574” 1.574”(40mm) (40mm) Outside diameter Mud slurry slurry tests are performed Mud are performed to tank. The one onto the right is the PEER 6 seals at each end Outside diameter 1.574” (40mm) Mud slurry are performed to ofof • Width 1.737” (44.12mm) Width 1.737” (44.12mm) SEEDXTREME, which lasted more than compare different brands compare thetests life of different brands Width 1.737” (44.12mm) three times longer than compare the life of different brands of one major bearings within the same bearings sameenvironment. environment. 5203 bearing manufacturer and over 7 bearings within the same environment. The bar chart below compares the life The bar chart below compares thea 2nd life major 5203 times longer than The bar chart below compares the life ofthree three different brands 5203 of different brands of 5203 bearingof manufacturer.

800

• •

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of three at different brands 5203 bearing at 500 500 rpm in slurry bearing rpm in the theofmud mud slurry bearing atone 500on rpm theisis mud slurry tank.The The one on the the tank. theinright right thePEER PEER SEEDXTREME, lasted than tank. The one onwhich the right is more the PEER SEEDXTREME, which lasted more than three times times longer longer than one SEEDXTREME, which lasted more than three than onemajor major 5203 bearing manufacturer and over three longer than one major 5203 times bearing manufacturer and over77 times bearing longer than a 2nd majorand 5203 5203 manufacturer over 7 times longer than a 2nd major 5203 14B Sloss Street, Horsham bearing manufacturer. times longer than a 2nd major 5203 bearing manufacturer. 03 5381 0800 all hours bearing manufacturer.

700 600

Test hours

• •

Test hours Test hours Test hours

Key benefits Key benefits Key benefits

500 400 300 200 100 0

Major Major MFG MFG C C Major MFG C

Major MFG C

Major Major MFG MFGMajor J J MFG J

Major MFG J

PEER SEEDXTREME

PEERPEER SEEDXTREME SEEDXTREME PEER SEEDXTREME

6 seals eachend end 6 seals atat each 6 seals at each end

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14B Sloss Street, Horsham 14B Sloss Street, Horsham 03Sloss 5381Street, 0800 all hours 14B Horsham 03 5381 0800 all hours 03www.wimmerabearings.com 5381 0800 all hours www.wimmerabearings.com www.wimmerabearings.com

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Wednesday, January 27, 2021