What Makes Country Life So Good? COMMUNITY
Lessons of Cyclone Alfred
While it was easy for us “southerners’ to watch, with interest, the reports as Tropical Cyclone Alfred approached the Australian east coast, it did also highlight the importance of preventing storm damage to your important farm sheds in strong winds, or the occasional “mini-tornado”, that we certainly experience here from time to time.
It reminded me of a few stories we’ve heard from respected farmers so I share them with you again here.
Funny aside: We heard TC Alfred was originally named TC Anthony, but the Labour party had it renamed because Tropical Cyclone Anthony wasn’t going to be appropriate ahead of a federal election.
It’s true, Danny is now an experienced “Prawn Star”. Yes, there is an “R” in the second word, read on to find out why! And … why it’s a small world … musings from our travels.
It’s a small world #1
At the start of February, we trekked to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast for an event and to catch up with friends.
The event was eye-opening in that the speaker, a businessman, investor, and advocate for the oceans gave the unvarnished truth about the world of business and enviropolitics. If only the world knew what really
Gale Force Winds No Problem
Soon after building this shed, a brutal storm passed through this property, destroying another shed nearby. This new ‘Grant’ hay shed, was unaffected. With the gale force winds coming into its open front, from the east, it could well have spelled disaster if it wasn’t as strong as it is.
18m x 24.3m x 6m MEGA Hay Shed Rob Starling, Telang Pastoral Co, Kingston SE
Passed The Cyclone Test
“Luckily the shed had hay in it when a nasty storm came through. It was like a cyclone, ripping out trees and damaging sheds in the district. But this one remained standing. It was a pretty ferocious storm and it destroyed a lot of other local sheds, especially those facing east. But this one stood the test.”
24m x 48.6m x 8.2m MEGA Hay Shed 8.1m bays, 3250 bale capacity Tyler & Pauline Stephenson, Spalding SA
Danny is a Porn Prawn Star
goes on behind the scenes of many of those environmental groups!
Politics aside, the day after the event, our friends took us to “Prawn Star”, which is two converted fishing trawlers that sit in Mooloolaba Harbour. They serve a simple menu of prawns, Moreton Bay bugs, oysters, crayfish, salmon, and mud crabs.
Danny, being a seafood lover, was in heaven! Why a small world? The waitress in the photo, Tarnya, was a former acrobat in the Moscow Circus. She was from Belarus. Where have you met someone literally from the opposite side of the world like that? And here she was, serving us some of the best seafood we’ve eaten on board the “Prawn Star.” And just to confirm, the word does have an “R” in it!
It’s a small world #2
At the end of the event we mentioned, guests were mingling. The topic of Monash came up. We overheard a lady say, “I’m originally from Adelaide. Did you say those South Australians were from Monash? It used to have the best playground. It was so cool I loved it as a kid!”
She was shocked to learn that it was Ali’s dad, Grant Telfer, who built that much loved
adventure playground. What are the chances of that connection happening, interstate and 33 years since it closed? How random. But shows how well known it was, all over Australia!
It’s
a small world #3
After the few days on the Sunshine Coast, Qld, we travelled down to Melbourne to attend the “Tina Turner” musical with long-time Vic friends. That show was bloody brilliant – the best musical we’ve ever been to. Funny thing is though, that we didn’t see it in Adelaide earlier because we doubted it would be much good. Afterall, who could outplay Tina Turner? But , after hearing rave reviews, when it was too late to get tickets for Adelaide, we made a decision to see it in Melbourne and invite our Melbourne friends to join us. While Australia is a big country, it’s really not too big to decide to ‘pop over to Melbourne’ for a show … and renewing great friendships was a bonus!
We did have some issues with a car we hired and a taxi driver … but those are another story!
Ali & Danny Halupka Owners - Grant Sheds
Danny the “Prawn Star” with his “leading ladies,” Tarnya from Belarus, and his “other half”!
You Little Ripper... Grant Sheds
LOCAL AUSSIE LEGENDS
Thought Starter: Why selling your Produce Direct is Worth a Crack
More and more Aussies want to know where their food comes from. They’re looking for fresh, local and straightfrom-the-farm produce. That’s where the paddock-to-plate idea comes in –basically, selling your produce straight to the people who’ll eat it, without all the middlemen taking a cut.
And it’s not just selling to the end consumer. We know of farmers who
• Sell a small quantity of sheep or cattle per week or month to a local butcher-abbatoir
• Have a regular few people or businesses that they sell their stored grain to
• An egg producer who does a weekly delivery to local butchers, clubs & restaurants
• Hay producer with regular, country-based stock-feed suppliers as clients
And with big buyers always squeezing farmers on price, selling direct gives you a way to take back some control. Even if you don’t want to shift your whole operation, setting aside a portion of your produce to sell straight to customers can make a real difference.
WHY IT’S WORTH CONSIDERING
Better Profit Margins
When you sell direct – whether that’s through farmers’ markets, a roadside stall, an online shop, or even direct to restaurants – you cut out the middlemen and keep more of the profits yourself. Instead of copping whatever price the big buyers decide to pay, you set your own prices and pocket the difference.
Finding your own market: Feedlot grain feeding of small batches of sheep prior to sale. This livestock and cropping farmer organised a long-standing supply arrangement with a local butcher-abattoir to supply sheep and a few beef cattle each week or so. The farmer delivered the stock to the abattoir which was an appreciated service.
Stronger Relationships with Customers
One of the best parts of selling direct is actually meeting the people who use what you grow. They get to know you, trust your farm, and appreciate the effort that goes into your produce. That connection keeps them coming back and telling their mates.
Standing Out from the Crowd
When you go paddock-to-plate, you’re selling a story. People love buying from farmers they trust, especially when they know they’re getting fresh, local, and ethically produced goods. Customers are often happy to pay a bit extra for top-notch, farm-fresh produce.
More Stability in Pricing
Dealing with big buyers can feel like a rollercoaster. When you sell direct, you’ve got more say over your pricing, which helps make your income a bit more predictable.
Room to Get Creative
Selling direct also opens up opportunities for value-added products – things like jams, cheeses, free-range eggs, or grass-fed meat packs. It’s a great way to use up surplus produce or lower visual appeal produce but is still perfectly good. Less waste, more cash in your pocket.
Supporting Local Communities
When you sell locally, you’re keeping money in your own backyard. Whether it’s working with local butchers, bakers, or small business owners, the benefits spread through the whole community.
IS IT RIGHT FOR YOU?
If you’re looking to boost profits, cut down on waste, and build loyal customers who appreciate what you do, finding your own direct clients is worth a look. Sure, it takes some effort – there’s marketing, logistics, and figuring out how to get your produce to customers – but in the long run, it can make farming a lot more rewarding and profitable.
Consider This: Thinking, “That won’t work for us” versus a more thought-provoking, “How can it work (at least in part) for us?” You might be surprised by the possibilities that arise.
Tony Hannaford of Torrens Valley Orchards (TVO) has multiple supply tiers to his business. He grows cherries that he exports around the world, wholesales to major supermarket groups, retails to smaller stores and opens the doors to the general public at his packing shed at Gumeracha, in the Adelaide Hills, during the November to January cherry season. Other products such as jams, biscuits, other fruits are also available at times.
15m x 30m x 6.3m Grant Shed for coolrooms and packing, plus a 9m wide leanto as an undercover loading zone. The main shed has a large roller door, 2 personal access doors and insulation in the roof & walls. It’s built on Tony Hannaford’s Barmera cherry growing property.
And my strong tip to you… Keep a list of the people who buy from you, or have shown interest in doing so in the future, and make sure you communicate with them regularly so they get to know, like and trust you AND so they can easily find your contact details when they are ready to buy, as it may not be on your first contact.
A Good Life. Living on GRAZING BEYOND
Inside the new Kia Ora shearing shed, the race delivery and sheep ‘roll-over’ system means shearers just lean across, roll the sheep out of the race, straight onto the board, and start shearing. It removes one of the heaviest and most energy consuming aspects of shearing and results in fewer injuries.
Grazier Mike McBride is no stranger to the ebb and flow of farming in tough country. He’s previously run sheep and cattle northeast of Broken Hill, and these days has 99,000 acres near Burra on the dry side of Goyder’s Line in South Australia. It’s a land of natural pasture comprising perennial saltbush, bluebush and blackbush, as well as grasses that appear after seasonal rains.
Known as Kia Ora, the property currently supports 4000 sheep, but that varies depending on the rainfall and resulting feed
“Right now, we’re down in numbers,” Mike explains. “Because you’ve only got so much feed growing with the limited rainfall, you just reduce the stock numbers to make sure you’ve got enough to keep them all going.”
Mike purchased Kia Ora more than three decades ago, as his children were going into high school. “A cousin of my father’s had to retire and move into Burra, and he was good enough to sell us his block, which was sort of put together by his grandfather,” he says.
Prior to that, Mike, his late wife and their three children were on “Tolarno,” a property outside of Broken Hill where they ran sheep and cattle, with his primary school-aged children all playing their role in the grazing operation.
“With all the mucking around with sheep, with drafting sheep from an early age, they were all out on the land,” he says. “Where we lived there, we left the children in bare feet. That way they couldn’t travel too far from home,” Michael says with a chuckle.
Throughout primary school, the children’s education was via School of the Air, using UHF radio.
“It gave them a good education,” he reflects. “The kids, they all got on well, they talked to all the other ones around, and they all got used to using a radio, that’s for
sure.”
After moving to South Australia and taking over Kia Ora, Mike also later purchased the property next door as part of an expansion that allowed for greater efficiency. “The family there were looking to retire and we were able to add to Kia Ora because, as in all business, you need a finite area to a certain number of sheep to make it all add up,” he says.
“Way back the leases were quite small, but as time’s gone on, it needed to be bigger to have enough mouths and product to pay the bills.”
Mike notes in the early days of farming in both northern South Australia and the area around Broken Hill, the holdings were quite substantial. “Then when the leases were called in or expired, they cut the places up to give other people a chance to have a go on the land,” he says.
These days it’s all about amalgamation in a bid to improve the bottom line.
Improving Farm Efficiency & Worker Safety
Land size isn’t the only area where Mike has been looking to improve on-farm efficiency. He’s also sought to innovate when it comes to shearing, with a new shed kitted out with a race delivery system.
Mike explains most shearing sheds use the traditional tip and drag system where the sheep sit in a catching pen and are then tipped and dragged onto the board for shearing.
With the race-type system, the sheep sit in a race alongside the shearing board. “The shearers just lean across, roll the sheep out of that race, straight onto the board in front of them and are able to start shearing,” Mike says. “They don’t have to tip and drag, and in earlier work, it was seen as the heaviest work of shearing – actually going into the catching pen, tipping the sheep over and dragging it out, and of course, doing it multiple times a day.”
Advantages of the race system include fewer injuries to shearers, reduced fatigue, and ‘less mucking about’. It also makes shearing a more accessible career for women.
Mike notes reducing the physical energy required of shearers has been on the industry’s agenda since the 1980s. Back then,
the Land. Being Innovative. BEYOND GOYDER’S LINE
he was on the Wool Handling Technical Panel, looking at everything from robotic shearing to improved comb and cutter design.
As part of that process, sports scientists were brought in to test the physical energy required of shearers at each stage of the shearing process. “And we were surprised to learn that the most energy was used tipping and dragging the sheep out of the pen, which was why even back then, we tried to work out how we could avoid that.”
Despite industry advancements, Mike says there’s nothing that can replace a good shearer. “So, you want them to be in the best form so they can do it in a way that’s not affecting them,” he says.
The continued focus on shearer welfare comes as the industry recovers from the skills shortages of the pandemic. “From school teachers to nurses to whatever way you look at it there were shortages and shearing was no different,” Mike says. “After COVID it was very, very hard to get shearers …but thankfully, it’s repairing some now, and certainly in the shearing industry, it’s improved a lot in the last year.”
The new shearing shed marked Mike’s fourth time working with Grant Sheds
It involved replacing a structure almost a century old. “The roof wasn’t holding out the water too well and the white ants had a fair bit of fun inside with some of the timber,” he says.
“And so, we needed to do something, because the flooring where the shearers worked, that was sort of not good enough for the shearers to romp around without fear of breaking.
“With the Grant Shed, we got the good cover and all steel, so the white ants can only practice now.” Grant Sheds supplied the shed and Mike organised his own interior shearing setup.
Michael McBride turned this 16m x 30m x 4.2m shed into an innovative, new ’race type’ shearing shed at his Kia Ora Station in the north-east grazing area of South Australia.
Prior to that, Grant Sheds had supplied Mike with beams for a light aircraft hangar, replaced a timber and iron shed which burnt down in a fire, and also supplied a hay shed.
As for the future, Mike says while his children have an affinity with the land and a love for it, there are no plans for succession.
Each of his kids was encouraged to follow their own path and get a trade, with his daughter now residing in Canberra and his eldest son in the Adelaide Hills, while his youngest is a pilot with Cathay Pacific, living
in Hong Kong.
“I’m 87 and my children are in their 50s. They have their own families, and they won’t be coming back here full time, but will continue to take an interest in the operation of the property,” he says.
“Nonetheless, they were fortunate to grow up on a sheep place, which I guess would be classed as fairly remote.
“It’s certainly a pleasant lifestyle…and it’s not a bad place to be – living on the land.”
Multiple Grant Sheds for McBride
12m x 18m x 5.1m Machinery Sheds 9m x 18m x 4.2m Machinery Shed Sliding doors For earlier shed 15m x 30m x 4.2m Shed for shearing
A 12m x 18m x 5.1m Machinery Shed built for Mike McBride at Kia Ora Station a few years ago to protect equipment from weather and theft.
MARKET UPDATES
From around the traps, read on for details about what’s going on in “shed land”
#1 STEEL PRICE RISE
Steel suppliers have notified us of the following steel price rises recently.
• Tubular Products up 6%: Used for roof trusses in Mega sheds
• Hot Rolled Products up 6%: the UB steel we use for columns in Mega sheds
• Merchant Bar Products up 5%
WHY IT MATTERS:
We live in the era where “everything is going up” and shed prices are no different. These price hikes indicate if you’re planning a shed, now is the time you save future money… as you know, once things go up, they almost always stay high or keep increasing.
See the latest “Once in a Blue Moon” insert for best priced quality sheds.
#2 INSIST ON QUALITY DOORS ONLY
As security concerns rise, more farmers are adding doors to their sheds, which is wise, providing the “RIGHT” doors are chosen.
• Cheaper and poorly designed doors have been known to blow off in high winds
• Insist on market-leading doors from Grant Sheds designed with the highest quality door tracks & glide-easy rollers.
WHY IT MATTERS:
Strong winds don’t just cause pressure on your doors from outside. They can also cause ‘up-draft’ on the inside of your shed that can ‘suck’ your doors in! Combined, it can be a recipe for disaster.
If you’re adding doors, do it right the first time for peace of mind. Grant Sheds always uses the strongest frames and best quality door components so even the largest doors roll open easily and safely.
Grant Sheds unique bottom roll sliding door system for MEGA Sheds
Above: 6 of 5m wide x 7m high sliding doors have heavy duty, welded, RHS steel frames. Also note the stays tying the door fascia back to the roof purlins for strength to prevent flexing of the gable end in high winds. It’s all these special design features that make Grant Sheds your best option. At right, Grant Sheds unique bottom roll sliding door ‘lock-on’ system that allows even huge doors to roll easily and they won’t blow off in high winds.
#3 SUPER SHED SALE
It will never be cheaper to invest in a market leading Grant Sheds product than now thanks to a rare “Once in a Blue Moon Super Shed Sale” this EOFY.
• Slash $5K, $10K, even up to a whopping $20K off a new shed
• Early Bird bonuses: Save extra $$$ on delivery and building costs when you act FAST– see insert for details. *Conditions apply
WHY IT MATTERS:
We understand the success of Australia rides largely on the back of the success of farmers so this EOFY we’re doing our part to make it more affordable to invest in infrastructure. Rest assured, unlike some who reduce quality to keep prices down, with Grant Sheds, we never compromise on quality. This “rare” EOFY promotion is your chance to save $$$ on your next quality farm shed. See the insert in this Farm Gate News for details.
new MEGA
They wanted doors that could open up to 18m wide so they could drive their air seeder in, all folded out, and the height of the doors are 8m. They opted for a ‘Grant’ shed after seeing the quality of Mark Bigg’s (their neighbour) recently completed shed and Grant Sheds long standing reputation in the industry.
Jamie noted the ease of working with Grant Sheds, the whole construction process, including Council approvals had things run smoothly from start to finish of their project.
Special design ‘lock on’ door rollers
‘Lock on’ door guides
Their
Machinery Shed included 10 huge doors that roll open easily.
30m x 78m x 8m
MEGA Multi-Purpose Shed
Built for the Tiller family, Balaklava SA.
Jack, Jamie, Matt & Maurice Tiller
To Help You With Your FARM SHED SOLUTIONS Ideas Have A Look At These Beauties...
MEGA MACHINERY SHED & WORKSHOP
Impressive Door Locking System
“Great, well designed shed. Very strong structure, excellent engineering - everything neat. Very impressed with the door locking system. The construction is very neat & tidy with excellent workmanship. I’m sure the builder is as proud of the structure as we are. The team at Grant Sheds left nothing to be desired and were particularly tolerant with me and my medical issues [that caused a few shed build date delays].”
John Croser, J. Croser & Sons, Meningie SA
100% TAX DEDUCTION
Still applies on sheds for fodder storage.
*Conditions Apply: Seek your own independent advice.
21m x 30m x 6m MEGA Machinery Shed built for John Croser at Meningie SA. Features: *2 huge 12m widespan beams *4 x 6m wide sliding doors that open to give 12m wide openings for the largest of farm machinery
*2 Personal access doors *High volume stormwater removal system that clears water fast via large, well-anchored gutters, rainhead & large, dual downpipes.
Grant Sheds exclusive sliding door system for MEGA doors on MEGA sheds
• Massive 12m wide beams allow 12m openings for massive farm equipment.
• Special anti-twist beam to roof braces tie the bottom of beams back to roof trusses to prevent twisting of the beam (an example of how all things are considered in the design)
• Strong door frames with internal bracing for these mega doors on a mega shed.
• Grant Sheds unique, bottom roll sliding door system for doors on Mega sheds. This ‘locks’ the doors to the tracks, preventing door blow-offs in high winds. See more info at bottom of page 6.
WIDE ACCESS HAY SHED WIDE BEAM
MACHINERY SHED
15m x 32.4m x 6m Super-C Hay Shed
Open one side with 3 x 10.8m widespan beams and UB front intermediate columns to reduce risk of loading/unloading mishaps and damage to columns. Bale bumpers to protect rear wall iron. High volume stormwater system to evacuate water fast. This is Paul’s 2nd Grant hay shed.
“Great, solid shed. Very efficient builders … and tidy.”
Paul Makin, Wolseley SA
Machinery Shed
Open one side with 2 x 9m wide beams. Woodland Grey colorbond cladding. Wide openings allow easy storing of wide farm machinery and equipment.
Built for Aaron Long at Mt Barker, SA
The Dream Farm Shed You’ve
Plus, get 100% immediate Tax Deduction on sheds used for fodder storage...AND... SA/Vic farmers, you may be eligible for the Drought infrastructure Grants*
3
RED
HOT Reasons To Take Advantage of EOFY Savings
The sooner you order, the more you SAVE!
Once in a Blue Moon & EARLY BIRD SAVINGS
SAVE on your NEW SHED!
Up to $20,000 off*
SAVE on BUILDING*
Up to 10% discount
SAVE on DELIVERY*
REASONS To Act FAST Order by 30/4/25 Order by 31/5/25 Order by 30/6/25
Rare EOFY Sale provides more relief for farmers when you order before 30th June 2025. Discounts apply on most sheds. Inquire Now!
Get up to 10% OFF shed building costs when you order before 31st May 2025
Even better... Also Slash up to $2000* OFF delivery costs when you order before 30th April 2025 3 3 3 X 3 X X 3 3 1 2 3
Up to $2000 off
CRICKET IS QUITE SIMPLE
You have two sides … ours and theirs. One out in the field and one in. Each man in the side that’s in, goes out. And when he’s out, he comes in and the next man goes in, until he’s out. Then, when they have all been in and are all out, the side that’s been in the field goes in and the side that’s in goes out and tries to get out those coming in. Sometimes you get men still in and not out. Then when both sides have been in and out, including not-outs, that’s the end of the game.
I JUST ASKED MY 9 YEAR OLD SON WHAT HE LEARNED IN SCHOOL TODAY. HE SAID, APPARENTLY NOT ENOUGH BECAUSE I HAVE TO GO BACK TOMORROW!"
Paddy says to Murphy... “My mate came off his motorbike today”
“Oh really? Murphy said.
“Yes, he has brain damage, 2 broken arms and is blind in one eye” replied paddy
“Fookin hell says Murphy, no wonder he came off!!!!”
Think about these things that don’t make sense...
1. If poison expires, is it more or less poisonous?
2. Which letter is silent in the word “Scent”, the S or the C?
3. Do twins ever realise that one of them was unplanned?
4. Why is the letter W, in English called double U? Shouldn’t it be double V?
5. Maybe oxygen is slowly killing you and it just takes 75-100 years to fully work.
6. Every time you clean something, you must make something else dirty.
7. The word “swims” upside down is still “swims”
8. 100 years ago everyone owned a horse and only the rich had cars. Today everyone has cars and only the rich own horses.
9. If you replace “W” with “T” in “What, Where & When” you get the answer to each of them!
10. If people evolved from apes, why are apes still around?