AgLife – April 29, 2020 edition

April 29, 2020

On schedule Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange manager Paul Christopher inspects progress on a new roof set to have a range of long-term benefits.

Story, page 31.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Proudly brought to you by:

It’s lambingtime, time, we have all th It’snearly nearly lambing we have all the supplies youneed need get ready supplies you toto get ready This Weeks Special 95 Nelson Street, Nhill CALL 03 5391 2106

EID Tags Tags EID 2020== PURPLE PURPLE 2020

Vaccination Vaccination

Marking Rings Rings Marking

DogPro Working Dog

$25.00 20kg Bag

95 Nelson Street, Nhill

“Like” Us On Face 105 River Road, Horsham

CALL 03 5391 2106 Wednesday, April 29, 2020

www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

Page

29

NEW and USED

FARM MACHINERY DEALS Hardi 8500lt 36mt Terraforce Boom

Croplands 6000lt 36mt Boom

$94,000

$6820

incl. GST

Karcher SG 4/4 Steam Cleaner

incl. GST

Grainline GMP526 26’ X 5” Mini Mobile

No chemicals required, clean with steam and kill 99.99% of all common household bacteria.

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).

5.5 hp GX200 Honda Engine.

$2150

$6380

incl. GST

$17,325

incl. GST

incl. GST

Walker MB23i

Walker R21 42” Deck

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

5.5 hp GX200 Honda Engine

$57,200

incl. GST

$8990

Grainline GMP626 26’ X 6” Mini Mobile

BA 7000 Controller Dual Line.

ISO Controller.

$16,500

DEMO

incl. GST

All prices are on stocked items only!!

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

30

• 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, April 29, 2020

Proudly brought to you by:

Th

D

Living the life of The Truman Show I

f you haven’t seen the movie, The Truman Show, I can highly recommend it.

Not for the reasons you think though. It is because I feel as if that is what we are living in with this lockdown.

The movie is about a salesman living an apparently idyllic life who does not know his entire world is a reality TV show and as he slowly works it out, he decides to escape.

It seems as if I live in a little bubble of routine.

I was already working from home so no change there – get up, turn on the computer and start sourcing the stories of the day. Finish work, go and ride my horse or walk my dogs. Do some gardening. Cook. Clean.

Generally faff about.

I can even still go to the shops.

Only the restaurants seem to be closed in town.

I have a Zoom work meeting once a week and another with friends where we are supposed to talk about movies we have agreed to watch, but it ends up

Country Today with Libby Price

just being a shemozzle. Don’t you love that word?

It is a very different story for my adult children.

My son married on March 14, just before lockdown.

He works as a financial advisor and, as you can well imagine, is going through hell trying to placate panicked clients.

The only corporate advice I could give him was, ‘don’t put your tie on until after you’ve cleaned your teeth’ and ‘always wear polished shoes’.

I made the mistake of checking out my superannuation account. My advice – just don’t.

My daughter was working in media in London and fortunately came home for her brother’s wedding and chose not to return.

So, she is unemployed and not eligible for any government assistance, stuck in her father’s

home in Queensland. I know – first-world problem. If you’re going to get stuck somewhere, Noosa is the spot.

But of course, she faces the possibility of her career never again being what it was.

Which brings me to my rather rambling point.

Those of us who work in agriculture are suddenly the lucky ones.

The drought seems to have broken and it’s a very promising season.

We are generally isolated and far less likely to contract coronavirus than our city cousins.

We are still able to be productive and fill our days with good, hard work. And we are used to going it alone and just getting on with it.

This unprecedented event has given us all a chance to think philosophically about who we are, and what we want our lives to be.

I feel a renewed thankfulness that my life has taken its country path.

Exchange roof on track 95 Nelson Street, Nhill CALL 03 5391 2106

Progress on a new roof over Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange is on track, with leaders expecting the $3.6-million project to be completed on schedule.

Manager Paul Christopher said contractors were building the roof in five stages and were on track to finish by October this year.

Work on the 23,400 square-metre roof, which features a sawtooth modular design, started in January.

Ballarat-based MKM Constructions is project contractor.

“It’s going really well,” Mr Christopher said.

“We have three stages of framework up and two of those stages have the tin on the roof.”

Mr Christopher said stage-four works started on Monday.

He said Horsham Laser Electrical contractors had been installing lighting, with plumbers starting work on stormwater infrastructure.

The project boasts 500 kilolitres of water storage, LED lighting and 100 kilowatts of solar panels.

The project is designed to have various significant long-term benefits, including weather protection for livestock, staff, agents and buyers, improved livestock quality, carbon-emission reductions and reduced cleaning and maintenance costs.

The Horsham exchange is the fourth-largest in the state, behind Ballarat, Bendigo and Hamilton.

Mr Christopher said completing construction work in conjunction with livestock sales proved challenging, however he was pleased

Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange manager Paul Christopher sheep and lamb sales could continue amid stage-three COVID-19 restrictions.

Under measures to limit attendance at the site, the general public cannot attend sales, even if they are selling livestock.

“We haven’t been taking the restrictions lightly,” Mr Christopher said.

“Currently only abattoirs buyers are able to attend.

“We attract a lot of buyers from other areas, such as Melbourne, Geelong and Echuca. We want to keep them safe and also our locals.

“We are taking names and phone numbers of attendees, asking if they are well before they attend and so on.

“We appreciate people being compliant and still being able to run sales.”

– Sarah Matthews

ASSET WRITE OFF 1300 628 596

www.emmetts.com.au HORSHAM KADINA MURRAY BRIDGE OAKBANK PARNDANA PINNAROO RENMARK ROSEWORTHY RUPANYUP SWAN HILL WARRACKNABEAL

Kaniva

Nhill

Travelling from Horsham to Kaniva and covering the whole Wimmera Mallee

HORSHAM WOOL

WOOL BUYERS

Ph. 0417 119 216

12 KING DRIVE, HORSHAM – 5382 1628 Wednesday, April 29, 2020

” “A family business of true locals 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 Page

31

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

$25.00 20kg Bag

Pest-control move “Like” Us On Facebook

95 Nelson Street, Nhill CALL 03 5391 2106

L

icenced gun owners can again help farmers control pest animals in a move Member for Lowan Emma Kealy has called ‘common sense’.

Ms Kealy described the move as a necessary backflip on hunting regulations.

She said pest animals including foxes had become a greater problem than usual after the government banned recreational hunting ‘under any circumstance’.

The government has since changed its ruling, allowing licenced shooters to leave home and travel to a farm to help with dayto-day management activities, including controlling pests. Gathering and distancing rules still apply.

Ms Kealy said it was a sensible move to listen to farmers and allow shooters to do this work, whether on a paid or unpaid basis.

“Recreational shooters play a big part in helping farmers control pest animals,” she said.

“Labor’s initial ban on this type of shooting meant landholders had to manage all pests on their own land, creating an impossible task for many.

“AgVic couldn’t step up to replace banned additional recreational licenced shooters who work voluntarily, so if the bans had continued it would have led to a huge

growth in pest numbers and devastating consequences for primary producers’ lamb and sheep stock, particularly with lambing due to start shortly.

“Local farmers are already reporting an increase in fox numbers. Controlling foxes is crucial to prevent them decimating lamb and sheep stock and taking away crucial income for our primary producers.”

Ms Kealy said while reversing the ban on unpaid workers helping control pests was a start, shooters still needed access to buy ammunition.

The government introduced a ban on firearm and ammunition sales to recreational shooters at the end of March.

Under stay-at-home directions, paid and unpaid work can continue for day-to-day on-farm management, including controlling pests and weeds and feeding livestock.

Professional hunters, similar to farmers, have their occupation categorised on their firearms licence, which means they can still buy firearms and ammunition.

Licence extension

Victoria’s 50,000-plus recreational game hunters, meanwhile, will get compensation for lost hunting opportunities.

The State Government will ex-

tend all current game licences by one year. The move is recognition of the impact on Victoria’s game hunters caused by mandatory social-distancing measures.

The expiry date of all game licences administered by Game Management Authority will have a 12-month extension.

Hunters pay a fee for one or three-year licences.

Health directives and restrictions as a result of the coronavirus pandemic have had an impact on game-hunting seasons for hog and sambar deer, stubble quail and gamebirds.

In response to public health advice, GMA also postponed all waterfowl identification tests and hound-hunting tests until further notice. Anyone who had already booked a test will have their booking fee refunded.

Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has advised that to help slow the spread of coronavirus, unless licenced for vermin control, people must not leave their properties for recreational hunting.

State of Emergency measures remain in place until May 11.

Duck-hunting season opens on May 2, but hunting ducks on a property other than where a hunter lives will be banned until restrictions ease.

KEEN GARDENER: Riverside’s Shirley Baker likes to look after ‘the critters we rely on like lizards, bees and worms’ in her garden.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Take care with chemicals • Using the right application rate for the specific pest-crop combination.

• Using the right Personal Protective Equipment, PPE, as specified on the label.

• Following any withholding periods specified on the label.

• Adhering to all ‘do not’ statements listed on the label.

Mr Field said withholding periods represented the amount of time that must elapse between when the crop was sprayed and when it could be harvested.

“Following the withholding period is critical because it allows the pesticide to break down to an appropriate level,” he said.

“By taking the time and care to do things correctly, pesticide users can make sure they reduce the risks to themselves and the environment, and grow fresh, delicious produce in the process.”

Authorities are urging backyard gardeners to make sure they read and follow the instructions on the labels of any chemical products they might be using in their home gardens.

Agriculture Victoria chemicals specialist Steven Field said there were simple principles home gardeners should keep in mind if they chose to use pesticides.

“Home gardeners should take care to read and follow the instructions on the labels of pesticides they are using to ensure safe use. The instructions are there to manage the risks,” he said.

“If you don’t follow the label instructions you might increase the risk to yourself and others unnecessarily.”

Mr Field said following the label instructions included: • Only using the pesticide on crops that were specified on the label.

Formerly

Simon Severin

Matt Beddison

Branch: Legacy Landmark Role: Senior Agronimist

Branch: Crop Opti Services, a division of Nutrien Ag Role: Agronomist

Senior Agronimist Simon Severin has over two decades of experience delivering agronomic advice to farmers across the Wimmera and Mallee.

Simon, who is a Longerenong graduate, has a passion for designing and implementing farm plans that will improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of their farm business.

His areas of expertise include sustainable farm planning and budgeting, crop rotations and pest management solutions and crop nutrition management.

Simon believes that progress is a great motivator. He says it is a privilege to work with the region’s farmers to realise great outcomes, both at the end of the season and in the long term.

The challenges that each season brings is also a key motivator for Simon. “Some challenges remain ongoing in this industry, however each season delivers something different to learn from and seek solutions”

The Ag Retailer of the Future.

18-22 Hamilton Road, Horsham 3400 Page

32

UNPARALLELED ACCESS TO SOLUTIONS

|

Matt graduated from Longerenong College with a Diploma Of Agronomy and has been servicing the area for over 10 years.

Having worked on the family farm Matt has a strong passion and understanding of the complete farming process.

Working with growers to implement Precision At in to there farms with soil zoning and variable rate applications is an area of great interest.

Creating farm plans, long term rotations and budgets with growers is an important part of his role.

Creating long lasting relationships with growers is something Matt prides himself on.

“It’s what makes the job”.

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

VALUE-DRIVEN OFFERINGS

LOCAL, TRUSTED EXPERTS WITH GLOBAL CONNECTIONS

(03) 5382 0088 www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Proudly brought to you by:

Th

D

New industry support group A

new group involving Agriculture Victoria and industry representatives is working to ensure supply chains remain open for the state’s agricultural sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The State Government has formed the Victorian Agriculture Industry Reference Group to share government information, ensure farmers and producers have up-to-date health and business advice and respond to feedback and concerns.

The group, including representatives from 25 peak industry bodies, is working with the government to address issues facing the sector.

This includes providing information about commuting and accommodating seasonal workers, along with answering frequently asked questions about how businesses can manage staff safety and the health of their workforce, and directives for people with responsibilities for animals.

Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes said the industry was aware that to slow the spread of coronavirus, it was vital the entire agriculture supply chain adopt enhanced cleaning regimes, hy-

95 Nelson Street, Nhill CALL 03 5391 2106

giene practices and physical-distancing measures.

She said many businesses had shown leadership and were ensuring they had continuity plans, strict cleaning regimes in the workplace and had processes in place to ensure work could continue should an employee need to self-isolate.

Quick reference

Ms Symes also urged any businesses seeking advice to visit Business Victoria website www.business.vic.gov.au or call hotline 13 22 15, with support staff trained to address specific concerns of the agriculture industry.

She said latest guidance on commuting and accommodating seasonal and contract workers during the coronavirus could be found online at agriculture.vic.gov.au.

“I’m extremely grateful to everyone working so hard across the agriculture supply chain to ensure we have the food and goods we all need,” she said.

“Through the feedback they have brought to the group, our agricultural businesses have shown yet again how resilient they can be in the face of hardship, and some invaluable insight into the reality of the pandemic on regional Victoria.”

BEHIND THE SCENES: Agriculture Victoria technical officer Glenn Sluggett plants ground cover at a trial site near Horsham. The department remains open for farmers to access information.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Department open for business Agriculture Victoria remains open and available to help Victorian farmers despite restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

The organisation has reassured farmers it is continuing to provide support services, but in different ways.

Agriculture Victoria has changed

Flexible solutions for air seeder hose

its usual face-to-face contact and information-sharing procedures to other alternatives, such as by phone, post, email or through invitations via video, teleconference or webinar.

Farmers can call Agriculture Victoria to access information tailored specifically to their needs on a range of topics including feed plan-

ning and pasture recovery; supplying feed and water to livestock; land and farm water management; general technical information; other assistance available and grants programs.

A Customer Service Centre, 136 186, and website, agriculture.vic. gov.au, continue to operate.

We’ve got parts in stock,

Now is the time to review and repair your air seeder for the upcoming season.

! o g o t ready (03) 5382 6103 8 HAMILTON ROAD, HORSHAM www.wimmeramalleeag.com.au

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

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

Page

33

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

SPIRAFLEX 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.

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED FAMILY BUSINESS

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

• 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

$319,000 inc. GST John Deere S680

$198,000 inc. GST 2015 Krone 1290

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

Includes 40ft JD640 front trailer. 1670 hours.

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

$88,000 inc. GST Rogator 1286C

$7,500 inc. GST JD Gator

$25,300 inc. GST Krone 826 Rotary Rake

$104,500 inc. GST Gason Airseeder

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

ATV petrol 825cc fuel injected tipper tray. New reco engine.

Approx 2200 rotor hours. Stock #63.

50ft, 12” spacings, 8 tonne TBT box, ready to go.

Prices inc. GST Wrecking Parts Manitou MLT735, Manitou MLT telehandler, varieous

roller etc.

parts, boom transmission final drives

Krone 320 Disc Mower, Wrecking for parts.

Gleaner N6, all parts new overhauled Alison engine,

MF9152 Sickle MOCO, Wrecking for parts, good

front.

herringbone rollers, suit MF1375.

Case 1640 Header, all parts including front.

JD7930 Tractor, various parts.

Macdon D60, Various parts.

AGCO 9250, flex front, most parts.

MF7475, DynaVT Vario transmission, most parts.

Case 7120 Class 7 Header

JD7810 Tractor, various parts.

www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

RO AD Pryors Rd

N

St

OE

Edith

Lo t

1

Pa l

m

Av e

With 40’ front. Approx 1900 rotor hours.

Stock #109.

DO

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

0428 338 998 34

inc. GST

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

KYM GROSSER Page

$176,000

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

JD946/956 MOCO, Wrecking for parts, good tri lobe

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Proudly brought to you by:

Th

D

PPS plays key role in recovery A

n organisation from Project Platypus Upper Wimmera Landcare Network has been instrumental in aiding bushfire-recovery efforts in Victoria and South Australia.

Perennial Pasture Systems, PPS, an independent farmers group, was quick to respond and help fellow farmers affected by the 2020 summer bushfires.

Tatyoon district farmers co-ordinated the first hay drive to affected areas with hay and straw donated by PPS members. Initial donations went to East Gippsland, as did more loads later in the summer.

Many PPS members understood the hardship endured by East Gippsland farmers because several had visited the region on the group’s annual study tour in 2018.

Having seen the impact of the prolonged drought in the region, many expected the fires to test even the most resilient farmers.

As well as using volunteer trucks, PPS helped businesses that struggled after the fires by using Gippsland contractors.

A fire in Lexton area, where most PPS members are more closely located, caused significant problems for farmers.

Members delivered hay and grain to impacted farms after the fire to help with stock management.

Help also went to farms on Kangaroo

TEAM EFFORT: Perennial Pasture Systems members discuss plans to transport hay to bushfire areas.

Island, where more than half the island was severely affected.

PPS members visited Kangaroo Island on a 2017 annual study tour and were disappointed to learn that several of the farms visited lost stock, fences and infrastructure in the fires.

PPS delivered loads of straw to the study tour host farms and other properties affected by the fires, with the fodder going to sheep in containment areas.

PPS project manager Rob Shea organ-

ised most of the recovery process and many members put in hours of voluntary time to assist the effort.

Stuart Robinson from Lismore coordinated the Kangaroo Island fodder with help from Jason Benson from Benson Freight, who donated his trucking service for the hay.

Corey Price from Eversley also organised five semi-trailers to deliver donated hay for the second Gippsland effort in February.

PPS members also donated money to provide fencing material for farms on Kangaroo Island, assist with fuel costs and help support a Lions Club near Lexton, which catered for bushfire-recovery crew, Blaze Aid. Mr Shea said the response from Victorian farmers to help people in need was outstanding.

“The PPS group was proud to contribute to the effort,” he said.

New tower at Douglas

95 Nelson Street, Nhill CALL 03 5391 2106

Douglas farming district in the southern Wimmera will have improved access for mobile telephone communications under the Federal Government’s latest Mobile Black Spot Program round.

Member for Mallee Anne Webster confirmed that Douglas and Douglas Mine as well as Tutye between Ouyen and the South Australian border would be home to three new base stations.

“It’s great that Mallee will soon be benefitting from improved mobile connectivity provided by these new base stations,” she said.

“Improved mobile coverage will help family and friends connect, access quality education and health services, and do business globally.”

Dr Webster said people living in and around and travelling through Douglas and Tutye areas would have better phone service to make calls, browse the internet and stay connected.

Development of the new stations is scheduled in coming months with expectations the the first new stations will become active by the end of the year.

Aqualine Steel Tanks have arrived in the Wimmera!

FARMERS: Don’t let another drop of rain get away!

Not only do they have strong bolted walls, to provide maximum strength…

They’re also erected on-site, so a large tank can be installed in places with limited access!

Aqualine Steel Tanks have capacities of up to 360,000 litres!

So whether it’s for personal, commercial, or industrial use, you know they’re up to the job!

For more information, contact Andrew at Wimmera Water Solutions bushmantanks.com.au

Ballinger Street Horsham - or call 0439 827 726

Deliveries direct to your door

99-101 DIMBOOLA ROAD,

HORSHAM

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

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

admin@radiussteelsupplies.com www.radiussteelsupplies.com

www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

Page

35

FIND A FINANCE PARTNER WHO UNDERSTANDS YOU

NEED A DAM CLEANED, SUNK OR FILLED, OR TREE STUMPS REMOVED?

with

CROPOPTI SERVICES

CROPOPTI

WE THE JGET DONEOB

LEADERS IN AGRONOMY

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

• Filling in dams or channels • Cleaning dams • Dam sinking • Drainage • Bulk earthworks • Tree & stump removal • Site clean ups Landmark Crop Finance can help you prepare with confidence and take the pressure off your cash-flow this season.

Over 150 years experience

• Excavators • Dump Trucks • Loaders • Graders • Water Trucks

FOR ALL YOUR EARTHWORKS GIVE US A CALL

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

HORSHAM

HEATH KELM

MOB: 0429 844 266

Big Opportunity.

We’ll beat any ‘spec for spec’ deal *

T. 03 5382 6103 8 HAMILTON ROAD, HORSHAM, 3402 www.hardi.com.au/terms Page

36

Wimmera Mallee Ag PTY LTD

www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Proudly brought to you by:

Th

D

Keeping brakes on brome grass 95 Nelson Street, Nhill CALL 03 5391 2106

A

gricultural authorities have encouraged Wimmera farmers to help tackle the spread of brome grass in the region.

Agriculture Victoria has continued an awareness campaign regarding the weed after a series of workshops in partnership with Wimmera Catchment Management Authority and Wimmera Farming Network.

Speaking at the workshops, South Australian weeds research scientist Dr Sam Kleemann said there was need for a concerted three-year effort on brome grass to overcome this serious weed on grain farms.

“Only 20 years ago, brome grass was not classed as a weed of significance in the region. Now it causes $20-million in lost cereal yield each year across south-eastern Australia, of which $4.5-million is in the Wimmera alone,” he said.

“This does not include the costs of controlling the weed.”

Brome is a highly competitive weed and can reduce wheat yields by 30 to 50 percent with only 100 plants per square metre.

It has proliferated with the adoption of no-till farming, early sowing and dry sowing. The weed can produce multiple germinations each year.

Dr Kleemann said brome grass had evolved in modern farming systems

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

EFFORT: South Australia’s Dr Sam Kleemann has told Wimmera farmers and advisors that brome grass control needs a concerted three-year effort.

with higher levels of seed dormancy, making management more difficult.

“You don’t need a lot of plants to inflict a lot of pain,” he said.

“It is a competitive weed and can severely reduce yields with the presence of only low weed numbers.

“Brome grass populations have evolved to withstand modern farming

practices by becoming more dormant and germinating later, making them harder to control. For example, brome grass populations in crops can germinate an average 20 days later than when found along fence lines.”

Dr Kleemann said about 25 percent of the seedbank failed to germinate in any season and instead carried over

www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

into the next year, making longer-term management important.

“Fortunately most seed only survives up to three years,” he said.

He said even after the first year of applying brome grass controls, there was still enough viable seed to kickstart the population.

“If you take your foot off the brake,

then even in a dry year brome grass can produce more than 8000 seeds per square metre and about a quarter of the seeds will carry over into the next season without germinating,” he said.

“So, with significant brome patches where seedbanks are large you need a minimum of three years of control to make an impact.”

Grower advice is to use a range of tactics to drive weed numbers down.

In addition to herbicides, growers can employ non-chemical control methods such as harvest weed-seed control.

While resistance to selective herbicides is still low in brome grass, growers should identify whether any apparent herbicide failure was application-related, resistance or both.

Growers are also encouraged to test for herbicide resistance when herbicides do not work.

Dr Kleeman said pulse crops or vetch were good options in the first year of brome grass control, enabling growers to use a grass-selective herbicide and crop-top.

“Hay cutting and chemical fallow tactics are also helpful, reducing brome grass numbers by 95 percent.

In the Mallee, some growers opted to spray out patches of brome grass in crops before it set seed,” he said.

More information is available online at agriculture.vic.gov.au or on the GRDC website, grdc.com.au.

Page

37

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

$25.00 20kg Bag

Calculating the cost of weeds “Like” Us On Facebook

95 Nelson Street, Nhill CALL 03 5391 2106

A

national group dedicated to helping farmers with chemical weed control has developed a tool growers and advisors can use to compare costs of weed-seed controls on their farms.

WeedSmart western extension agronomist Peter Newman has developed the interactive spreadsheet tool using on-farm data and costings.

He has developed the concept based on the many options available that work in reducing weed-seed banks and the wide variations in initial outlay, associated activities and nutrient removal concentration.

“We have good data to suggest that harvest weed-seed control costs are $7 to $19 per hectare and there are only minor differences in the cost between the available tools when compared with using the same farm data,” Mr Newman said.

“But because every farm is different and small differences in costs per hectare can make a big difference at the whole farm scale, it is important for growers to have confidence they can afford and justify the expenses incurred.”

Some harvest weed-seed control tactics involve the purchase of substantial machinery – such as an impact mill, chaff cart or chaff deck.

But operational and labour costs might be lower than methods such as narrow windrow burning, which

“By imputing your own figures into the harvest weed-seed control costing tool you can quickly evaluate the financial impact of the available options”

– Peter Newman, right

involves low set-up costs but higher nutrient losses and labour costs associated with burning. Invariably narrow windrow burning is the most expensive option in the long-run due to the high nutrient removal cost.

“As a general rule, the cost of harvest weed-seed control is lower per hectare on larger farms with lower yields,” Mr Newman said.

“This is because the capital cost is spread over a larger area, less nutrients are removed because the yields are lower and the low biomass crops allow low harvest heights without slowing down the harvester or using extra fuel.

“The converse is generally true for smaller farms with higher yields.

“By imputing your own figures into the harvest weed-seed control costing tool you can quickly evaluate the financial impact of the available options.”

Mr Newman said another important factor to consider was that some technology was relatively new to market and there were unknowns such as the expected life of parts when operating in

commercial field conditions. He said as time goes by manufacturers would be able to provide more concrete advice on service and repair costs, and overcome any parts failures.

He said the spreadsheet was easy to use and took into account capital cost, nutrient spread-loss, cost of ownership, harvest cost, reduction in harvest

capacity, fuel use and replacement of wearing parts.

Users also input data about their farm size and crop yields.

He said people keen to find out more about harvest weed-seed control and to download the costing tool could visit website www.weedsmart.org.au.

Agricultural opportunity The State Government is giving workers who have lost their jobs a fresh start in agriculture and ensuring primary producers have the workers they need to keep producing at high levels during the coronavirus pandemic.

Agriculture and Regional Development Minister Jaclyn Symes launched a $50-million Agriculture Workforce Plan, designed to provide practical support for critical food industries, helping the sector and regional communities.

The plan will match workers who have lost their jobs with employers in the agriculture sector, helping agribusinesses and primary producers to meet their labour and operational needs.

It is part of the government’s $500-million Working for Victoria Fund, established to help workers who have lost their jobs find new opportunities.

Agriculture Victoria and Regional Development Victoria are working to match displaced workers to vital industries such as horticulture, dairy, meat and food production and manufacturing, as well as transport and logistics services.

The plan will help pay for training to ensure redeployed workers have swift access to upskilling.

EOFY

Take advantage of the instant tax write-off

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 $39,900 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

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.

Transmission

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

Priced at $27,900 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” Page

38

www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

Wednesday, April 29, 2020