FARMGATE NEWS
What Makes Country Life So Good? COMMUNITY
A Great Local Production Dealing with Tough Farming Topics
Danny and Ali recently attended the local, musical and dinner theatre event, “Kick Off Ya Boots,” at Loxton. Presented by local group, Little Town Productions, the new story followed on from previous years shows as the Connor family entered the next phase of their farming journey … succession and retirement.
The shows explored the tough topics of succession planning, drought, financial security and other uncomfortable truths of rural living and how we respond when our world seems to be falling down around us.
Our small group of six, laughed until our bellies ached at the interwoven humour and then were moved to tears as those difficult topics and conversations were held and each of us could connect in some way with the heart-wrenching difficulties.
At the end of the show we opened up with each other about
• Loneliness of a single person living in an isolated area
70 Years Strong
After reading our last edition of Farm Gate News and the brief article about Ali’s memories of thousands of frogs at Warracknabeal, we received a delightful phone call from 90 year old, Ken Bibby and his son, Brendan. Ken says he bought some of the first Grant sheds in the Warracknabeal district. It was probably back in the mid to late1950’s. Sheds back then were much lighter than today, yet these sheds of Ken’s are still being used for hay storage today! Strength & Longevity … describes Ken Bibby and Grant Sheds well.
‘Puggles’
We found this very cute echidna near our Monash home.
• Forgiving yourself for past mistakes
• Dealing with PTSD from past experiences
• Mental trauma after a marriage breakdown
• The large number of farming men that one of our group knows he has helped to avoid suicide
And we all resonated with attempting to protect our loved ones from stresses we’re experiencing yet ultimately failing because we’re all in-tune with our partners feelings and the change in each other’s personality when under stress. And yet ... we still try to protect those we love even though that sometimes ends with explosive arguments or partnership breakdowns. So the need to open up and talk about our worries is paramount.
This is a highly impactful show and we thank every person involved – writers, actors, musicians, meals team, etc. It was an amazing show.
A great achievement by a country community!
I’ve heard that you should never move an echidna from where you find it because it may have puggles (babies).
Along with platypus, echidnas are monotremes which are the only mammals that lay eggs and feed milk to their young. The female lays a single, leathery, grape sized egg into her pouch. The baby echidna (puggle) hatches and remains in the pouch until it starts to grow spikes at about 50 days. Then the mother leaves the baby in a nursery burrow while she forages for food, returning every 4-6 days to feed the baby. For this reason, you shouldn’t remove a female echidna from where you find it or, if it’s taken into care for injury purposes, should be returned to the place of rescue as quickly as possible.
At about 200 days old, the mother digs the young echidna from the nesting area and leaves it, generally having no more contact.
Coping in Difficult Times
We know that 2024 has been a tough year for a wide geographical area and diverse agricultural sectors.
If you are struggling, please reach out to friends or for financial or health counselling. Speaking with others may help you plan a way forward. You’re not alone, it’s not your fault and others have trodden the same path before you. Their counsel may help. No one enjoys the tough years.
As we approach the harvest and Christmas season, we all hope that 2025 will be better . Take some time to relax with family or friends at Christmas and just enjoy some simple things … friendship, children’s joy, a home-cooked meal, sittng on the verandah … we can find solace and joy in these things.
Until next time ...
Ali & Danny Halupka Owners - Grant
Sheds
Some of the cast of the ‘Kick Off Ya Boots’ show, from left Bronnie Hamilton; lead character & show writer John Gladigau; and actor & local GP Peter Hamilton.
Ken Bibby, ‘Earlstan’ at Cannum via Warracknabeal with his Grant hay shed that is nearly 70 years old.
An autumn evening in the life of a cropping farmer. Tom Weckert of Brinkworth in the mid north of SA.
You Little Ripper... Grant Sheds
LOCAL AUSSIE LEGENDS
Shortly before his passing in May 2024, 89 year-old Owen (Owie) Chandler and his son Milton (Mildy) took a drive to the farthest reaches of the family farm at Charra, South Australia. It was a moment to reflect on all that had been achieved in a life spent on the land – a life that saw him build a farming business encompassing more than 16,000 acres from virtually nothing.
Born in 1934 as one of six children, Owen’s first foray into farming was at the age of 16, when he and his brother spent a week at a time at a property working with five horses and a stripper by day, then spending the nights sleeping in a tin hut. It was a tough start but instilled a love of farming that would ultimately last a lifetime.
By 1960, Owen had his own patch of land at Wandana and the opportunity to purchase a further 6500 acres. His parents loaned him £12,000 and that was the beginning of the Chandlers farming at Charra.
Later, Owen would also take up the option of another 10,000 acres of scrub just inside the dog fence, spending over a decade clearing it before sewing the first crop in 1976. That land was cleared by fire, hand and bulldozer, with Milton recalling his father’s enthusiastic approach to burning off the new ground. “His philosophy was that if it didn’t get out of control then it probably wasn’t going to do a very good job,” Milton reflected.
“But it was his happy place and, while Dad was a little unorganised at times, you couldn’t question his work ethic. He spent weeks at a time covered in dirt, ripping and raking, knocking it into shape.”
Stories were shared at his funeral, including this one from Mildy about Owen’s Chev truck…
“Dad used it for carting water from Charoba Tank to a couple of galvanised tanks at the back of the farm. We’d driven cattle out there with horses in one of the drought in the 80’s. I can’t remember which year but I reckon 6 or 7 of that decade were droughts so take your pick!
Dad headed off one morning to cart a load of water and was soon home again with a sad look on his face. He’d pranged his old truck. I’ve watched dad start the old Chev often and it required a generous splash of petrol down the carby, then he’d put a brick on the accelerator and he’d have to dash back to the drivers side to get the brick off before she threw a leg out of bed!
I always thought that the brick was a little heavy handed but who was I to question the starting procedure of a 1950’s Chevrolet truck? Anyway on this day, dad did what he’d always done. Petrol down the carby, brick on the accelerator, a big heave on the crank handle… the only mistake he made was not checking that it was out of gear!
So you can imagine his surprise and horror when the truck burst into life and, with the brick on the accelerator, launched itself forward, charging a short distance across the plain before ploughing into a mallee tree and putting the fan through
West Coast Farmer Fondly Farewelled
the radiator! Wouldn’t you love to see video footage of that? “
His work ethic and dedication was evident in other areas as well. After being called up to serve in the Korean War in 1953, Owen had a lifelong affinity with the RSL.
A passionate horse enthusiast and show jumper, he attended almost every show on the Eyre Peninsula, and also dabbled in rodeo.
His involvement with horses rewarded him with life memberships of numerous clubs, show societies and associations. His daughter Nanette noted it also rewarded him with life long friends.
And relationships were key to a life which Mildy and Nanette described as “well lived”. Owen met his wife Raylee in 1957 and they married in ’62, navigating the highs and lows of farming life together. He relished travelling with family and friends, loved nothing more than a Sunday barbecue in the bush and was adored by his grandchildren.
Described as a man who didn’t want for much and who lived a good life on his terms, Owen passed away on May 8 2024, and was fondly farewelled by family and friends at a funeral service in Charra.
“On reflection, Dad has probably left a bit of a legacy,” Milton noted in his eulogy.
“To come to Charra in 1960 and start with virtually nothing, going through the ruthless 80s with high interest rates and droughts to give us the opportunity to continue on to progress the farm for further generations.”
Not Owie’s truck, but a 1950 Chev truck, complete with water tank, that Mildy Chandler says, “Looks exactly like Owie’s old truck.”
Three Generations of Tillers
A VISION FOR
In the South Australian wheatbelt just an hour from Adelaide, the surname Tiller is synonymous with the township of Balaklava. For generations, the Tillers have been integral to the community, with their ties to the area dating back to early settlement.
These days three generations of Tillers farm together with brothers Matt and Jamie working alongside their ‘retired’ dad Maurice and Jamie’s 18-year-old son Jack. Up until 2018, their older brother Shane also worked the farm but is now assisting at his wife’s family property.
Jamie explains the Tiller’s operation comprises 10,000 acres of land they own, lease, and share farm, and encompasses a lamb fattening feedlot along with crops planted in a three-year rotation of wheat, barley, and legume.
They used to also produce canola, but with sandy soil, an average annual rainfall of 350ml, and a couple of recent dry years, they’ve phased that out and opted for lentils instead. “It’s just not viable out here anymore,” Jamie reflects.
“So, we’ve gone for a lot of lentils now. They seem to suit this country.”
efficiency and assist when it comes to succession planning for the next generation, who are already showing an interest.
The Tillers also understand better than most the importance of planning for the unexpected. In 2008, Matt, Jamie, and Shane lost their brother Chris in a fatal car accident aged just 36, while Matt was lucky to survive a farm incident a little over a year later.
In an average year, the farm produces 2.5 tonnes of grain per hectare with the bulk of that sold to the domestic market, while some goes to the feedlot as well. But the past few years haven’t exactly been average. Last year was dry. This year the crops have also been plagued by frost.
The Tillers note modern farming practices, demand for hay and the fact their land is spread across different areas have helped them mitigate a couple of tough years.
They work with an agronomist and tap into precise modern farming techniques which enables them to maximise their groundwater during the dry periods while also minimising inputs, such as chemicals and fertiliser. As a result, they have managed to get the seed back from their wheat and also cut hay which will likely be sold as stock feed.
Meanwhile, some areas of their property were more affected by frost than others, and the feedlot is a way to supplement the income from grain. The Tillers note this ebb and flow is all part of the reality of farming. It’s when the lean years are back-to-back that it becomes a problem. “You know, you get light years. But you still get out OK on a light year,” Jamie says. “When you don’t get your seed back or you have to start buying seed and stuff, well that starts hurting, and I hope we don’t have another one like that this year.”
When it comes to the farm, the brothers share the decision making while also tapping into Maurice’s lifetime of knowledge, and at
Surviving A Serious Farm Accident
He was fumigating a grain silo when electricity from the powerlines 4m above arced with the metal pole he was using. Thousands of volts surged through Matt’s body, in a sensation he describes as like being “blown in half”. He suffered burns to both hands and required a skin graft to his ankle where the electricity exited his body. His Blundstone boots weren’t quite so lucky. “I had brand new bloody Blundstone boots on and it blew a hole in that,” he recalls. Those boots, and the fact the silo was on a cement base were credited with saving his life.
The Tillers recently invested in a new Mega Farm Shed and that is part of a plan to future proof the farm for the next generation. In the coming years the Tillers also hope to acquire more land, but note property prices are skyrocketing. “It’s going crazy,” Jamie says. And that’s where we’re at a crossroads. What do you do? Do you go and bury yourself in debt for the next 50 years?”
For now, the focus is on efficiency and productivity, with the company structure targeted at providing that security moving forward.
“We’ve come away now where we’re sort of going to take over the family farm and build it up, keep moving forward, and work for the next generation,” Jamie says.
“How we look at it is, if you’ve got kids and they’re keen to keep farming, you want to do it well.”
The space to store many of their highly valuable farm machinery assets and to work on them in a bright, clean and comfortable environment is one of the greatest joys of their new shed, for the Tiller family. L-R: Danny Halupka, Grant Sheds with Jack, Matt, Jamie & Maurice Tiller.
Farming at Balaklava with
THE FUTURE
A Shed for the Future
Grain storage and preparing the farm for future growth were behind the Tillers recent purchase of a 78m x 30m x 8m high Grant Shed.
Complete with concrete floor and 3m high concrete walls at the rear, it is designed to house machinery, act as a workshop and store grain for the feedlot.
“Very happy with the quality of the shed. Builder did a great job and was excellent to get on with.”
Maurice, Matt & Jamie Tiller Balaklava SA
With more than $2 million invested in the farm’s machinery, the Tillers note the shed protects their assets, while also providing a central space to comfortably work on equipment. “We can bring machinery in here, and start working on it, and if you're going to wait for parts, well, you can go on and do something else,” Jamie says.
The shed has six doors on the end and four on the side, allowing machinery to be driven through without the need to reverse. “And we got the doors made at just over 18m wide so we can drive our air seeder in all folded out,” Jamie says.
The Tillers opted to work with Grant Sheds after seeing the quality of their neighbour, Mark Bigg’s recently completed shed, and the deal was sealed by Grant’s long-standing reputation in the industry. “Dad was the main instigator,” Jamie says. “He said Grant’s have been around a long time, so should we go and have a look?”
Grant Shed’s experience and length of time in business proved invaluable when a steel supplier mistakenly provided sheets that were too thick. The problem was instantly identified by the Grant Sheds builder, who contacted the administrative team, and within days the affected steel was replaced by the supplier, with no cost, stress or delay for the Tillers.
“It happened on a Monday, we were talking to Grant’s on a Tuesday and by Friday we had our new iron and it was here,” Jamie says. So that’s just three days.
Jamie notes that ability to quickly problem solve was part of the ease of working with Grant Sheds, with the whole construction process, including Council approvals, running smoothly from start to finish.
30m x 78m x 8m MEGA Muli-Purpose Farm Shed
This is one massive MEGA SHED on the Tiller’s Balaklava farm. It’s a great facility that is set up as a Machinery Shed, Workshop and Grain-Fertiliser Storage Shed.
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.
3m high internal grain & fertiliser lining at this end
6 Sliding doors, on triple tracks, on the end of this shed, allow up to a 20m wide opening
Special design ‘lock on’ door rollers
‘Lock on’ door guides
MAKE YOURSELF POPULAR WITH THESE Christmas Ideas
Mini Pineapple & Condensed Coconut Milk Cheesecakes AN
EASY, make ahead dessert for busy people
Ingredients (Makes 12)
• 180g plain sweet biscuits (such as Nice, Granita or Milk Arrowroot)
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 90g unsalted butter, melted
• 85g pkt pineapple flavoured jelly
• 125ml (1/2 cup) boiling water
• 160ml (2/3 cup) cold water
• 250g pkt cream cheese, at room temperature
• 125ml (1/2 cup) sweetened condensed coconut milk
• 150g (1/2 cup) well-drained crushed pineapple
• 250ml (1 cup) thickened cream
Method
• Lightly spray twelve 80ml (1/3 cup) silicone muffin pans with oil spray. Line each pan with a small strip of baking paper, extending paper 2cm over sides of each hole.
• Place biscuits and cinnamon in a food processor. Process until fine crumbs form. Add butter, process to combine. Divide biscuit mixture among the prepared pans. Use a flat-bottomed glass to press the biscuit down firmly over the base of each hole to flatten. Place in the fridge.
• Meanwhile, place jelly crystals in a heatproof bowl. Pour in 125ml (1/2 cup) of boiling water. Stir until dissolved. Stir in 160ml (2/3 cup) cold water. Set aside until cool but not set.
Christmas Decorations
To delight your children or grandchildren
I (Ali) love the joy of children at Christmas time and I love doing things that create lifetime memories. Danny is not so excited by it but he’s learnt to go with my flow on this one!
In past editions of Farm Gate News, I’ve explained our family’s Christmas Eve traditions. This time I’ll show you these Christmas trees that I hang in our lounge, one for each grandchild.
I got the felt trees from an Aldi store last year (only $10 each). As well as the Velcroattachable decorations that came with them, I’ve added ‘Christmas Stars.’ These I make myself. For each year of each child’s life, I have made them a star.
• Use an electric beater to beat the cream cheese and condensed milk in a bowl until smooth. Add the jelly and stir until smooth. Stir in the pineapple.
• Use clean electric beaters to beat 125ml (1/2 cup) thickened cream in a bowl until soft peaks form. Fold the cream into pineapple mixture. Spoon the mixture evenly among the pans over the biscuit layer. Tap pans gently on the bench to remove any air bubbles. Smooth the surface. Place in the fridge for 6 hours, or overnight, until firm.
• Run a knife around the side of each cheesecake to help loosen. Using baking paper strips, lift cheesecakes from pans. Discard baking paper. Beat the remaining 125ml (1/2 cup) thickened cream in a bowl until firm peaks form. Spoon into a piping bag fitted with a 1cm round fluted nozzle. Pipe a swirled cream peak on top of each cheesecake, to serve.
• Make it look ‘Christmassy’ by adding a strawberry, red & green M&M’s, or red, white & green sprinkles.
I’ve just found a star shape and inserted a close -up photo. Then I laminate the page, cut out the star and attach a small piece of Velcro so it can be attached to the Velcro on the tree. Same thing with the child’s name at the base of the tree.
I had already been doing these stars for years before I found the felt trees at Aldi. Previously I’d stuck them onto a cardboard tree I’d made with the kids. The stars can also have a hole punched in the top point, ribbon tied through it and attached to your normal xmas tree.
The kids LOVE seeing their own stars and comparing how they’ve looked over the years.
To Help You With Your FARM SHED SOLUTIONS Ideas
Why Aussie Farmers Should Be Cautious When Choosing A Shed Company & Why Grant Sheds Is Your Answer
When it comes to investing in a farm shed, Aussie farmers need to exercise caution. The farm shed industry is rife with companies making lofty promises about the quality of their products and the timeliness of their delivery and construction. Unfortunately, these promises often go unfulfilled, leaving farmers frustrated and underserved.
The reality is that many shed companies, including some well-known names, can be misleading. They tout high-quality materials and quick build times, yet farmers frequently find themselves dealing with subpar sheds that do not meet their needs or expectations. The frustration only grows when promised timelines are not met, causing delays that can disrupt farm operations.
Choosing a shed company is similar to hiring a new employee; resumes and interviews can be deceiving. Just as you cannot fully gauge someone’s work ethic until you see them in action, you cannot truly know a shed company’s reliability until you work with them.
Grant Sheds stands out in this crowded market for a reason. Farmers who have worked with Grant Sheds return for future purchases because they have experienced this company’s genuine commitment to quality and service. These returning customers trust Grant Sheds based on their firsthand experiences, not just marketing claims.
For those who have yet to work with Grant Sheds, the positive experiences of others, shared through testimonials and word of mouth, are invaluable. Additionally, new customers quickly sense the difference when they call Grant Sheds and receive personalised care and design assistance.
In an industry where empty promises are too common, Grant Sheds has earned its reputation through consistent delivery and genuine care. Farmers should be cautious and critical when choosing a shed company and consider the proven track record of Grant Sheds.
100% TAX DEDUCTION
Still applies on sheds for fodder storage. *Conditions Apply: Seek your own independent advice.
“A very neat and tidy shed of solid construction, built by great builders. They just got on with it and got the job done with no fuss. Would have Grant Sheds again and these builders for another shed when needed.”
Daryl Behn, Indoota Farm Riverton SA
If you would like the same pleasure and peace of mind, let us help you plan your new farm shed. Phone us on 1800 088 528
Another Delighted Farmer
“This is the third Grant Shed on my property and the biggest. As usual, the quality by Grant Sheds exceeds expectations. The builder Steve and his men are true professional erectors and very fast and efficient. Thanks for another great job Grant Sheds.”
David Edwards, Minlaton, Yorke Peninsula SA
Did you know that on the Canary Islands there is not one single canary? And on the Virgin Islands? Same thing … not a single canary there either?
One night, a Viking named Rudolf the Red was looking out the window when he said, "it's going to rain" His wife asked, "How do you know?“ "Because Rudolf the Red knows rain, dear.”
“If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.”
I told my wife she should embrace her mistakes. She gave me a hug.
Have you seen the new web site... www.conjunctivitis.com? It’s a site for sore eyes!
