Elders Seasons Magazine - autumn 2022 edition

SEA S ONS AUTUMN 2022

FARMING NEWS FOR AUSTRALIAN FARMERS

BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY WORMS ARE GROWING INCREASINGLY RESISTANT TO PARASITICIDES

MINIMISING THE RISK OF MYCOTOXINS

WHAT IS STRESS DAMAGE DOING TO YOUR YIELD?

CROP PROTECTION

page 11 NEWS Elders Muchea flagship branch set to open early 2022

8

Picking up after Cyclone Seroja

28

Nigel Hawke – a livestock agent for all seasons

41

WATER MANAGEMENT

page 40

60 years of compression fittings

47

Innovative engineering: the next best thing to rain

79

FARM MANAGEMENT Five compelling reasons to weigh cattle this autumn

48

Roundup Ready® technology shines in reducing annual ryegrass resistance in southern Western Australia

5

Flexibility and consistency key in pre-em ARG control

6

Pre-emergent herbicides vital for weed control in southern NSW

11

TruFlex® and Roundup Ready® canola varieties unlock prime weed management options in South Australia

12

Maximise nutrient use efficiency with new SYLAS-ST®

16

Build your soil health to maximise fertiliser returns this year

19

Four top reasons customers choose Trojan

20

Soil moisture agent surprises in trials

22

Baiting timing for snails and slugs

24

The best choice in seed treatments is changing

63

Nufarm’s Terrad’or offers effective knockdown

64

New additions to pre-em herbicide choices improve overall control

67

New pulse herbicide in field of its own

68

Locally produced nitrogen you can bank on

71

What is stress damage doing to your yield?

81

Find Us Online Seasons is brought to you by Elders

elders.com.au

/EldersLimited

eldersrural.com.au

@EldersLimited

eldersrealestate.com.au

@Elders_Limited

eldersinsurance.com.au

@EldersRuralServices

eldersfinance.com.au

2

eldersrural.com.au

/EldersLimited

Contents

ANIMAL HEALTH

AUTUMN 2022

Worms are growing increasingly resistant to parasiticides

30

Weaner cattle - is your drench doing its job?

33

If you don’t know the efficacy of your drench, then take the Zolvix™ Plus Challenge

36

Troy Animal Health continues Aussie Helpers partnership

38

FERTILISER Guaranteed quality for better results

52

AG TECH Better safe than sorry – minimising the risk of mycotoxins

56

FENCING Waratah® Fencing – proven to be effective in the field

27

Gallagher commits to a sustainable future with Landcare by supporting conservation and grazing management goals

44

In the market for new gates? Cyclone N-Sure have an impressive list of features

75

SEED Q31 lucerne, for superior chaff

51

Add value to perennial pastures with nitrogen fixed from legumes

55

EG Titanium wheat proving performance

59

Manta Italian ryegrass is ready to grow

76

page 27

It is an exciting time for Australia’s agriculture industry. The demand for safe, quality, Australian product has never been higher and is poised for exponential growth as Australia’s neighbouring populations continue to grow and prosper.

To rise to the challenge of continuing to feed Australia, its neighbours and indeed the world’s growing population, the agriculture industry must increase its output - and Elders are here to help growers to do just that. Across all areas of your farming business Elders can help.

Earlier this year, the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) reported that global average incomes are projected to rise substantially in coming decades.

The number of people in high-income countries are projected to triple by 2050, adding more than 3 billion new consumers to this group. This is set to happen close to home, with long term population trends suggesting the Asian population will peak at 5.3 billion people around 2050.

This edition of Seasons covers some of the newest products and findings from some of our top suppliers. I hope it provides some value as we head into another Autumn season.

CEO Foreword

Regards,

Mark Allison

3

ROUNDUP READY® HERBICIDES SEE THE DIFFERENCE

The Roundup Ready® Herbicide range controls a wide range of weed species over the top of Roundup Ready and TruFlex® canola. crop.bayer.com.au

Two flexible formulations: a 690 g/kg granule and a 540 g/L liquid Proprietary surfactant package for fast uptake and brownout# PLANTSHIELD® technology provides enhanced levels of crop safety over the top of Roundup Ready crops

# vs a 540g/L competitor. Always follow and refer to the product labels before use. Roundup Ready®, TruFlex® and PLANTSHIELD® are Registered Trademarks of the Bayer Group.

Bayer CropScience Pty Ltd ABN 87 000 226 022. Level 1, 8 Redfern Rd, Hawthorn East VIC 3123. Copyright © 2022 the Bayer Group. All rights reserved.

Crop Protection

ROUNDUP READY® TECHNOLOGY SHINES IN REDUCING ANNUAL RYEGRASS RESISTANCE IN SOUTHERN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Good annual ryegrass control in the canola phase is critical to setting up a cropping program for subsequent cereal rotations.

It’s a scenario that has played out in Western Australia’s great southern region, where high levels of weed escapes in triazine-tolerant canola have been negatively impacting whole cropping programs.

The results uncovered a slight efficacy advantage when using Roundup Ultra MAX over a generic glyphosate 450, but even when using Roundup Ultra MAX there was still an expected level of annual ryegrass resistance.

Growers now have the tools to create some high-level flexibility with TruFlex canola, to effectively target populations of ryegrass using the appropriate rate of Roundup Ready Herbicides at the appropriate timing.

Getting annual ryegrass control right in canola can have a massive impact for growers, which is why Bayer teamed up with a local agronomy consultant to test annual ryegrass resistance across 39 glyphosate resistant ryegrass populations in the great southern region.

“We also looked at the clethodim by itself and found there was a level of resistance there too,” Hugh said. .

“Additionally, this data suggests that by introducing clethodim into that TruFlex canola system, it can really reduce the likelihood of having glyphosate resistant survivors coming through,” Hugh said.

“What we don’t want is for a grower to go into a Roundup Ready® canola or a TruFlex® canola phase to find weed resistance, and then experience sub-optimal weed control results,” explained Hugh Trenorden, Bayer business development manager for Western Australia and South Australia.

“So, as part of the trial, we added Roundup Ultra® MAX, a liquid 570 g ai glyphosate, a generic glyphosate 450, and Roundup Ready Herbicide with PLANTSHIELD®, a granule 690 g ai glyphosate tank mixed with clethodim, so we could do some shared learning.”

It was a targeted ryegrass sampling methodology, where growers and the crop consultant were looking for problematic annual ryegrass areas in paddocks.

“They tested those patches for resistance levels, so we would then know what the likely outcome would be when using different types of chemistry,” Hugh explained.

“The observations were as expected, and followed previously published small plot studies, but one of the significant outcomes of this approach was that this time we saw it play out in actual paddocks.”

“However, when we did a tank mix of Roundup Ready Herbicide with PLANTSHIELD and clethodim, the data showed that it provided complete control of all but two of the 39 glyphosate resistant populations.

“It’s not impossible for a population to be both glyphosate and clethodim resistant, so this mix is not a silver bullet, but it’s a really good way of getting a robust level of weed control in the canola phase.”

Hugh believes the level of control achieved in the canola phase from a fully loaded, high quality glyphosate such as Roundup Ready Herbicide with PLANTSHIELD, mixed with clethodim, as well as a robust pre-emergent herbicide option, has shown where the future of crop management isgoing.

“That mix is known to be quite robust - it’s been used in fallows and in vineyard operations for a while - but the advantage of doing it in your canola phase is that you can get really good crop competition from a hybrid canola on top of that,” he said.

“That mix can break down if you’re in a vineyard scenario where you’re doing it time after time trying to use that to just control your ryegrass.

“However, when you put it with a really good pre-emergent and then use it in canola, you can really knock your weeds down quite effectively and get those benefits that carry on for a number of years.”

“In agriculture you never get 100 per cent, but the likelihood of getting close to 100 per cent weed control is quite high given the data that we’ve seen both in plot trials and then this commercial scale trial that we’ve done this year.”

“By collating that data, the consultant’s customers at the local level can now all analyse the results and have some confidence that when they put an integrated weed management plan together, that they’re going to get a good level of weed control.”

Roundup Ready canola allows for the application of Roundup Ready Herbicides from cotyledon to sixleaf, consisting of no more than two applications of a Roundup Ready Herbicide in crop.

TruFlex canola allows for an extension of this window beyond the six-leaf growth stage up to the first flower. With TruFlex canola varieties, growers have the choice of either a two-spray program or a three-spray program, depending on application rates or the weed pressure in the paddock.

Always follow and refer to the product labels before use.

Roundup Ready®, Roundup Ultra®, PLANTSHIELD® and TruFlex® are Registered Trademarks of the Bayer Group.

5

Crop Protection

FLEXIBILIT Y AND CONSISTENCY KEY IN PRE-EM ARG CONTROL

With BOXER GOLD® Herbicide now competitively priced against triallate and trifluralin, Syngenta Senior Portfolio Lead Garth Wickson said it was worth weighing up the advantages.

MULTI-LEVEL APPROACH

BOXER GOLD® Herbicide has time and again demonstrated its agronomic edge over trifluralin and triallate, especially in variable weather conditions.

Reliability, consistency and flexibility are all important points for growers to consider when choosing herbicides.

And now that it is competitively priced against tri-based products, Syngenta

BOXER GOLD® offers control of ARG Group D herbicide resistant populations, as well as silver grass, stone crop (Crassula spp.) toad rush and useful suppression of barley grass.

AT A GLANCE ■ BOXER GOLD® was developed by Syngenta for tough conditions.

For more than a decade it has helped growers control annual ryegrass, including Group D resistant populations, over millions of hectares.

■ A unique propriety formulation of prosulfocarb and S-metolachlor (Group 15), BOXER GOLD® is an important tool for resistance management.

■ More consistent, robust control of hard to control annual ryegrass in lessthan-ideal moisture planting conditions means BOXER GOLD® can deliver better overall value compared with trifluralin and triallate mixes.

6

eldersrural.com.au

Syngenta Senior Portfolio Lead Garth Wickson

Senior Portfolio Lead Garth Wickson said farmers should consider taking a closer look.

“Trial data across key cropping regions of Australia highlights that while trifluralin and trifluralin/triallate tankmixes can deliver good ryegrass control, their performance can sometimes be variable as their efficacy is impacted more by weather conditions and different soil types,” Syngenta Senior Product Lead Garth Wickson said.

“In side-by-side comparisons the trials have shown that BOXER GOLD® delivers a high level of ryegrass control without being prone to the same degree of variability in sub-optimal conditions.

“It’s a more robust solution to the ARG problem that allows growers to achieve consistently better results with less likelihood of seasonally induced failures causing weed numbers to blowout.”

A flexible-to-use product, application can be changed to suit seasonal conditions. Registered usage patterns include: > Pre-emergent, applied up to seven days prior to mechanical incorporation by the sowing operation (IBS); > A split application of 1.75 L/ha preplant followed by 750 mL/ha postplant, and; > Post-emergent, one-to-three leafstage for ARG (suppression).

To expand the weed spectrum even further, Mr Wickson advised BOXER GOLD® can be tank-mixed with trifluralin or Monza*.

Want to know more? Visit your local Elders branch or logon to www.syngenta.com.au/boxer-gold *registered trademark ® A registered trademark of a Syngenta Group Company

PROVEN. FLEXIBLE. BETTER VALUE. WHAT’S LEFT TO CONSIDER? • Consistency on annual ryegrass and crop safety • Superior control versus many two-way ‘tri’ mixes • Logistically better with 7 days to incorporate • Split-application for added flexibility in wheat & barley

For further information talk to your local Syngenta representative or visit www.syngenta.com.au/boxer-gold

Partner of

15((K)J)

Syngenta Australia Pty Ltd, Level 1, 2-4 Lyonpark Road, Macquarie Park NSW 2113. ABN 33 002 933 717. ® Registered trademark of Syngenta Group Company.

TM Trademark of a Syngenta Group Company. © 2021 Syngenta. AD 22-007.

News

Left to right – Michael Sala Tenna (Branch Manager), Nick Fazekas (State GM WA) and Alan Barry (Rural Products Sales Manager) outside the new Elders Muchea branch.

Image supplied by Farm Weekly.

ELDERS MUCHEA FLAGSHIP BRANCH SET TO OPEN EARLY 2022

Elders is pleased to announce construction is underway on a new flagship branch at Muchea.

The new branch, due to open in early 2022, is located on Mercury Rise in the newly developed Muchea Industrial Park, just over three kilometres from the Muchea Livestock Centre (WAMIA).

Positioned at the gateway to all major northern agricultural corridors, the new Elders Muchea branch will provide direct access to the northbound Brand Highway and Great Northern Highway and is visible from the newly extended Tonkin Highway overpass.

The decision to build a new fit for purpose site was a logical one for Elders as it looks to provide easy access to services and solutions for customers.

The new site aims to build on the success of the Midland branch and surrounding branches servicing the northern wheatbelt and Elders Muchea is the next step in improving Elders’ geographic footprint in the region.

Nick Fazekas, General Manager WA, says the industrial park site is a good result for broadacre and pastoral clients to the north and far east, with horticulture and hobby farmers in the Bindoon and Gingin areas also set to benefit significantly.

“We are pleased to be able to grow Elders’ footprint in Muchea and surrounding districts through the opening of a new state of the art branch at Muchea,” said Mr Fazekas.

8

eldersrural.com.au

“Our purpose is to support all farmers better by providing a broader product range and improved service offering,” “We plan to support clients along the Lancelin coast, across to Wannamal, Bolgart, Bindoon and down to Bullsbrook, focusing on broadacre growers to the north and horticulture clients in the valley.”

“The design of the new branch has been customized to provide our clients with easy, efficient access and high-quality, personalised service.”

Mr Fazekas added that the new branch will also offer an on-farm delivery to service clients in the area that hasn’t been available previously.

“We are looking forward to being able to provide clients in the area with our complete service offering, including onfarm delivery for greater convenience, once the new branch opens,” “Local, State and Federal Government have all invested significant capital in transport and infrastructure to improve access to the northern corridor and to take advantage of the areas’ agriculture and resource sectors.”

“The opportunity for us to play an increased role in fostering growth in the region was too exciting to pass up.”

Muchea saleyards is one of Australia’s most significant livestock marketing

facilities with an annual turnover of approximately 95,000 head of cattle and 550,000 head of sheep. With the Muchea saleyards close by, servicing pastoral stations in the north and to the far east, the presence of Elders is a significant step towards servicing customers in this area.

The new branch will also make way for local employment.

Elders Midland, and soon to be Muchea, branch manager Michael Sala Tenna, says the new branch is an exciting new chapter for Muchea and the surrounding northern district.

“Elders is rural Australia’s most trusted agribusiness with strong roots in rural communities. We are excited to be able to bring our brand presence to the area with a team of friendly and experienced staff,” said Mr Sala Tenna.

“We have been working hard on a branch design that works seamlessly and efficiently for our customers and suppliers. The idea is that customers can drop in on their way out of Perth, get what they need through the drive through, and be on their way again. It will be a seamless process with very little detour required.”

“We plan to open the new branch in early 2022 and we look forward to keeping customers updated as the official opening date becomes clearer,” added Mr Sala Tenna.

TITAN

BESUTO 480

LIQUID HERBICIDE 480g/L PYROXASULFONE

For the pre-emergence control of Annual Ryegrass, Barley Grass, Annual Phalaris, Silver Grass and Toad Rush and suppression of certain grass weeds in Wheat (not Durum wheat), Triticale and certain winter legume crops.

KEY FEATURES 9 9 9 9

Convenient, easy-to-pour liquid formulation Long-lasting residual control of key grass weeds (up to 12 weeks) Herbicide MOA Group 15 (Group K) Low application rate of 210 mL/ha

AT A GLANCE CROPS: FORMULATION: ACTIVE INGREDIENT: APPLICATION RATE: HERBICIDE MOA GROUP:

Wheat (not durum wheat), triticale, chickpeas, field peas, lentils & lupins Suspension Concentrate (SC) Pyroxasulfone 480g/L 210 ml/ha Group 15

EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE FROM YOUR LOCAL TITANAG.COM.AU

BRANCH

See THE DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU DO THINGS differently .

FMC’s Overwatch® Herbicide has been reframing success in wheat, Barley and Canola crops. With up to 12 weeks of control, more flexibility and robust resistance management of ryegrass and certain broadleaf weeds you will see the difference in the paddock.

Contact your local FMC representative for more information or go to

overwatchherbicide.com

FMC and Overwatch are trademarks of FMC Corporation or an affiliate. ©2021 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved.

Crop Protection

PRE-EMERGENT HERBICIDES VITAL FOR WEED CONTROL IN SOUTHERN NSW

Pre-emergent herbicides have been vital in the fight to control problem weeds for Terry Edis of Elders, Ariah Park, in southern NSW. Mr Edis explains that the region is a mixed farming area with livestock favoured and cropping systems made up predominately of barley, wheat and canola, and legumes when needed.

There are a wide range of weed species challenging farmers through the district.

“Our prominent weeds are ryegrass, black oats, cape weed, wireweed and fumitory,” said Mr Edis.

“In wet years we’re getting a lot of toad rush, milk thistles, prickly lettuces, fleabane and a lot of radish,” “It’s a numbers game. Our preemergents are absolutely critical to our cropping system. The post-emergent situation is not great, and probably getting worse by the year, so we really need to manage the numbers of weeds, and hope that our pre-emergents do a really good job to get us through.”

He said the reliance on pre-emergent chemistry over the years has caused some issues with weed resistance and it is something he was looking at in detail to determine what options to use in different paddocks.

Group 1 (formerly A) and Group 2 (formerly B) ryegrass resistance is common in the area, but they are also looking at resistance in black oats.

“We’ve got to do a lot more resistance testing this year,” Mr Edis said.

“We’re pretty certain we know where resistance is with annual ryegrass, but black oats have really stood out for us this year. I think having a longer wet season, a few weeds that might otherwise have struggled are really showing their heads.”

One of the pre-emergent options trialled this season was Overwatch® Herbicide, from FMC, which is registered for use on wheat, barley and canola.

Overwatch® Herbicide is a Group 13 herbicide (formerly Group Q) so a

Terry Edis, of Elders, Ariah Park, said pre-emergent herbicides were vital to control weeds in the region.

different mode of action to other preemergent herbicides being used in the area.

see weeds bleaching late in the season, especially things like milk thistle. It just really stood out.”

“I saw Overwatch® Herbicide at the trial sites at Temora and definitely wanted to have a have a look at it to see how it went in our systems,” Mr Edis said.

Mr Edis said the wet, low-light conditions of the year also challenged the crops.

“We had it across all the registered crops - wheat, barley and canola. I didn’t get people to use it in their whole programme but rather get a feel for what sort of results we could expect.”

“I think we’ve seen quite a good amount of residual activity on a range of weeds.

It seemed to do a good job on the wireweed and on the ryegrass.”

He said the 2021 season was tight at the start in April but was helped with excellent rainfall from May onwards which assisted the weed control of the pre-emergent herbicides.

“At the end of the year, they probably started to run out a little bit, with the extended rain and wetness.”

“With Overwatch® Herbicide, we did

“We probably had nearly six weeks without sunlight. It’s had an impact.

Some of our TT canola still had good pod depth, but they’re not very tall. I think we’d probably see that from a low light intensity and the barley probably really suffered during those wetter, cloudy conditions.”

He said the addition of a new mode of action pre-emergent herbicide was positive for the industry.

“We just need to rely on our preemergents. We need to get them to work as best as they can for the best results. Having the different groups and being able to mix them around is where we aim to be.”

FMC and Overwatch are registered trademarks of FMC Corporation or an affiliate. ©2021 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved 11/21.

11

Crop Protection

TRUFLEX® AND ROUNDUP READY® CANOLA VARIETIES UNLOCK PRIME WEED MANAGEMENT OPTIONS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Weed control options for the South Australian canola industry have evolved significantly over the last 12 months, following the 2020 approval of TruFlex® and Roundup Ready® canola varieties in the state.

Calling it a landmark event, Tim Murphy, Bayer’s Market Development Agronomist in South Australia said the introduction of this technology means growers have powerful new tools for management of in-crop weeds.

“There are a range of spray programs now available to South Australian canola growers when they choose to use Bayer’s Roundup Ready canola technologies by growing either TruFlex or Roundup Ready canola varieties,” he said.

“The Roundup Ready canola technologies allow for over-thetop applications of Roundup Ready PL Herbicide with PLANTSHIELD® technology, a liquid 540 g ai glyphosate, or Roundup Ready herbicide with PLANTSHIELD, a granule 690 g ai glyphosate for weed control in canola.”

Roundup Ready canola allows for the application of Roundup Ready herbicides from cotyledon to sixleaf, consisting of no more than two applications of a Roundup Ready herbicide in crop.

TruFlex canola allows for an extension of this window beyond the six-leaf growth stage, up to the first flower. With TruFlex canola varieties, growers have the choice of either a two-spray program or a three-spray program, depending on application rates or the weed pressure in the paddock.

With either program the best control is gained when the application of 12

eldersrural.com.au

Tim Murphy, Bayer’s Market Development Agronomist in South Australia

Roundup Ready PL is targeted at young, two to three leaf grasses and two to four leaf broadleaf weeds.

In 2021 Tim tested the flexibility and safety of Roundup Ready canola technologies in six canola systems trials in various locations around South Australia. A good example of how the technology performs was seen at Giles Corner in the state’s mid-north.

This trial included several spray programs that incorporated over-the-top Roundup Ready PL applications and/or the use of pre-emergent herbicides, as well as a traditional conventional spray program.

Planted on 28 April 2021, the trial had a hard start with minimal moisture at the time of seeding and it was nearly

three weeks before enough rainfall was received to allow for germination.

From that point on there was sufficient rainfall for both canola seed and weed seeds to germinate.

“The Giles Corner trial demonstrated the need to adopt an Integrated Weed Management (IWM) system when using Roundup Ready canola technologies,” Tim said.

Tim explained that there are several considerations for growers when developing an IWM program.

“Firstly, include a pre-emergent at sowing, which could be either propyzamide or newer herbicides like Overwatch®,” he said. “Even with the dry start to the 2021 season at Giles Corner, the pre-emergent herbicide provided a good level of control.”

ROUNDUP READY® CANOLA TECHNOLOGIES

IT’S IN THE BAG

#

NEW IN 2022

SIMPLIFIED OFFER

In 2022, we have simplified our offer, so you will only pay one fee for purchasing a bag of seed containing TruFlex® or Roundup Ready® canola technologies.

SIGN A NEW LSA

Thinking of planting Roundup Ready canola technologies in 2022? Sign the new License & Stewardship Agreement (LSA) here.

To find out more visit truflex.com.au Compared to other canola systems. TruFlex® and Roundup Ready® are Registered Trademarks of the Bayer Group. Bayer CropScience Pty Ltd ABN 87 000 226 022 Level 1, 8 Redfern Rd, Hawthorn East VIC 3123. Copyright © 2021 the Bayer Group. All rights reserved. #

Suction filter cleaned with All Clear DS.

Suction filter washed with water.

You’ll stick with Because little else does!

When it comes to removing damaging residues from your boom sprayer, All Clear DS outperforms other tank cleaners on the widest range of products.

Feature

Benefit

Single dilution rate

Convenient and simple to use

Not a Dangerous Good

Safety in handling and mixing

Non-corrosive

No equipment damage

Low foam

Easy to empty spray tank

Long shelf life

Carry over season to season

+

+

SURFACTANTS DETERGENTS SEQUESTRANTS To solubilise To lock up To physically and break molecules remove residues down residues and improve and stop rinse out re-sticking

Innovation. Quality. Solutions.

® Registered trademark of AgNova Technologies Pty Ltd. 210121

Crop Protection

“Also, target Roundup Ready PL applications at small weeds as the best control is gained when weeds are sprayed early.”

“So, we’re stopping that resistance spread of either metabolic resistance from the glyphosate, or metabolic resistance from the clethodim.”

The trial also showed that the addition of clethodim in the tank at the two to four leaf spray helps reduce the potential for metabolic resistance developing to either clethodim or Roundup Ready PL herbicide.

The overarching piece of advice Tim had for developing a solid IWM program is to mix and rotate products to maximise the longevity of all herbicides in the industry.

“In most of Australia, we’re starting to see some strains of ryegrass that are showing a metabolic resistance to both clethodim and Roundup Ready PL, and we want to try and stop that becoming more of an issue,” Tim said.

“Work by Plant Science Consulting has shown that when you spray either of those two actives on their own, the plant can recover and grow on from it, but when you mix them in a tank and spray it over the top of a crop, we’re getting nearly complete control.

“Just because TruFlex canola and Roundup Ready canola, provides the ability to use a two-spray or a threespray program, I’d still question whether a spray is always necessary,” Tim said.

“I recommend monitoring crops and tailoring applications based on the weed spectrum.”

The point about crop competition is an important one, with the vigour of hybrid varieties playing a key weed management role in canola growing systems.

“Results from these trials indicate that the increased vigour from hybrid varieties, including those with the TruFlex or Roundup Ready traits, provide the potential for improved yields and crop vigour over the conventional varieties,” Tim said.

“In summing up, these trials have demonstrated Bayer’s Roundup Ready canola technologies are tolerant to over-the-top applications of Roundup Ready PL, providing excellent in-crop weed control and crop safety, helping to maximise yield potential.”

For more information on Bayer’s Roundup Ready canola Technologies, go to roundupreadycanola.com.au or talk to your local Bayer representative.

TruFlex® and Roundup Ready® are Registered Trademarks of the Bayer Group.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owner.

FOR THE NEXT GENERATION Elders is proud to recognise the women who play an important role in our business, and who help to shape their corner of the Australian agriculture industry.

Paving the way for generations of women to come.

for Australian agriculture Scan for career opportunities

15

Crop Protection

MAXIMISE NUTRIENT USE EFFICIENCY WITH NEW SYLAS-ST®

A new super-concentrated biological seed treatment is available this season for broadacre cereal and canola growers to maximise crop establishment.

Sylas-ST®, from UPL Australia, is part of UPL’s new BioSolutions range recently launched in Australia.

demonstrating improved yields using Sylas-ST in a BioSolutions program, and up to 9.5 times return on investment.”

“Sylas-ST is produced from sustainably sourced natural Atlantic Kelp, Ascophyllum nodosum, that when applied to seeds, stimulates natural processes to enhance nutrient and water uptake, nutrient use efficiency and tolerance to abiotic stress, for better crop performance,” said Neil Innes, BioSolutions Manager for UPL Australia.

Neil said that two years of independent and scientific trials in the UK have shown Sylas-ST improves a crops nutrient and water use efficiency.

HOW IT WORKS

“Sylas-ST provides the tools for a vigorous early root system that can help to alleviate stress on the developing crop, especially in drought prone soils and can eliminate the problem of “hot spots” appearing in fields later in the season,” Neil added.

The biologically active plant-growth promoting molecules within Sylas-ST stimulate the production of enzymes (Phosphatase, Nitrogen, and Iron Reductases) within the plant to increase moisture and nutrient use efficiency.

Facilitating water regulation, movement and uptake in the plant enables rapid germination, and the development of an early vigorous root system.

“Large root systems increase both root mass and depth of access, thereby improving the ability of plants to access water and nutrients, better utilising N, P and K, which can help minimise fertiliser over-expenditure,” said Neil.

“Trial results from the Australian 2021 season have been extremely encouraging, with wheat trials in Western Australia and South Australia 16

eldersrural.com.au

In independent studies conducted by the University of Nottingham in 2018 and 2019, Sylas treated seed showed a consistent 65 per cent (pc) improvement in root biomass compared to untreated seeds.

“The quicker a seedling crop can begin developing its’ vegetative framework the better placed it is to deal with early pest pressure and mitigate abiotic stresses from reducing daylight hours.”

This consequently has shown to lead to rapid establishment of cereal and canola seedlings, and increased plant biomass.

ORGANIC CERTIFICATION “Organic growers will be pleased to hear that Sylas-ST is a NASAA certified input for organic cropping,” said Neil.

The concentrate in Sylas-ST is selected

from 100pc pure Ascophyllum nodosum filtered extract, before being concentrated further at low temperatures to preserve the natural ingredients – all within 24 hours from harvest.

He added that Sylas-ST has an extremely low use rate compared to competitor products, as low as 600ml per tonne, for maximum establishment benefit.

“Sylas ST is highly concentrated leading to very low application rate on seed. It’s compatible with other seed treatments and it won’t clog your equipment, making it easy and economical to use.”

“We’ve also done work with Sylas as an in-furrow treatment at the label rate of 200ml per hectare, and the results are also impressive.”

“Sylas-ST has demonstrated in studies an innovative alternative, combining a sustainable growth biostimulant action on seedlings with the precise application delivery achieved when using a seed treatment.”

“As we look for sustainable nutrient efficiency and ways of future-proofing crop production, there couldn’t be a timelier reason for Sylas-ST this season.”

Sylas-ST is available this season for use as a seed treatment or in-furrow application, contact your local Elders branch for more information.

SYLAS-ST

®

New

A super-concentrated biological seed growth stimulant for broadacre crops • Improves root & shoot biomass for improved nutrient & water uptake from the soil • Highly concentrated, with enhanced efficiency, leading to very low application rate on seed & infurrow • Compatible with conventional seed treatments, micronutrients & fertilisers

Increase enzyme activity in the plants roots

Improve access to Fe, NO & P from the soil

SYLAS-ST coating

Increase root growth

Increase root foraging capacity & nutrient access

Increased growth rate & foliar biomass

www.upl-ltd.com/au ® registered trademark of UPL Australia Pty Ltd

More resilience, more productivity, powered by biology

KEY AREAS ENDOFUSE HAS BEEN SHOWN TO IMPACT:

EndoFuse from Sumitomo Chemical is a plant and soil enhancement product that contains arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi (AMF). Mycorrhizae are beneficial fungi that naturally exist in soils colonising the root systems of plants.

EndoFuse includes 4 high performing endo-mycorrhizae species that have been proven to increase crop resilience, productivity and overall plant and soil health. ™

• Crop resilience under plant stress conditions • Reduce long fallow disorder • Crop yield • Root and shoot biomass • N, P, K and trace mineral uptake • Water uptake during moisture stress • Soil health • Re-populate mycorrhizae following cultivation

www.sumitomo-chem.com.au ™ EndoFuse is the trademark of Sumitomo Chemical Australia.

Crop Protection

BUILD YOUR SOIL HEALTH TO MAXIMISE FERTILISER RETURNS THIS YEAR

Australian growers invest significant sums on nutrition for their crops each year. With current record fertiliser prices, even more consideration is being given to rates applied and ways to maximise nutrient use efficiency.

More than ever, a focus on soil health will reap financial benefits by helping crops to achieve their potential.

Healthy soil includes the presence of a strong network of mycorrhizal fungi that help to ensure that the uptake and productivity gained from soil nutrition is maximised.

Mycorrhizae, commonly referred to as AMF (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) are naturally occurring beneficial fungi that work with the majority of crop species (canola and other brassica crops excluded) in a symbiotic relationship to improve nutrient and moisture uptake, resilience against plant stresses and overall plant and soil health.

AMF are known for their ability to help plants forage for and take up key soil nutrients. They are particularly beneficial in helping plants access immobile nutrients like phosphorus and zinc, but studies have also shown significant benefits with nitrogen uptake.

AMF improve uptake by extending the area where plants can access within the soil, creating extensive networks of fungal hyphae that go well beyond where the roots of the plants can access and then absorb and channel the nutrients

and moisture back to the plant. The AMF in exchange receive carbohydrates from the plant for their own growth, a true symbiotic relationship.

considerable experience with biological products, they were the first company to develop Bt insecticides with brands including DiPel and XenTari.

Modern farming practices often lead to low levels of AMF in soils. Growing canola, fallowing fields and mechanical cultivation can significantly reduce beneficial AMF levels leaving crops unable to realise their full potential.

AMF can be built up naturally through cover cropping, reduced fallow duration and opting not to grow non-mycorrhizal crops like canola, but Sumitomo AgroSolutions has been working to develop a range of mycorrhizae inoculants that can ensure AMF levels are adequate in a similar way to how legume crops are inoculated with rhizobium at planting.

Elders and Sumitomo have conducted trials with the new range of AMF inoculants over the past two years.

Further demonstration trials are planned in the 2022 growing season.

Significant gains have been observed with improved yields and quality across both horticultural and broadacre crops.

Until recently, the technology to produce high quality, concentrated, easy to use and cost-effective mycorrhizae inoculants hasn’t been available.

Sumitomo AgroSolutions, over recent years has focused efforts into producing high quality, highly useable and affordable mycorrhizae inoculants for use in a range of crops. Sumitomo brings

ENDOFUSE FIELD TRIALS Over the past three years many trials have been conducted to observe EndoFuse performance in a range of locations, crops and soils. Results have been most significant where AMF levels have been assessed as low - such as following canola - with barley grown post-canola recording consistent yield increases of up to 8.5 per cent and a sixfold return on investment per ha. Grain legumes have also shown

With the winter crop season approaching and everyone subject to skyrocketing fertiliser prices, it is the ideal time to learn more and try the new Sumitomo inoculants. For broadacre grain crops the ideal formulation is EndoFuse, a highly concentrated liquid inoculant that can be applied to seed or as an infurrow soil treatment.

Contact your Elders agronomist and ask about EndoFuse to maximise your crop nutrient uptake efficiency, particularly if you have country likely to be low in AMF where canola was grown in 2021 or where a full disturbance cultivation has been performed.

excellent responses, particularly when double inoculated with both AMF and rhizobium together. A recent faba bean trial in Victoria showed a yield improvement of 8.1pc. The picture below from NSW DPI researcher Tendo Mukasa Mugerwa shows a pot trial he conducted in 2021 with chickpeas. The highly complementary response with rhizobium and AMF inoculated together in legumes has also recently been observed in faba beans, mungbeans and sub clover.

19

Crop Protection

FOUR TOP REASONS CUSTOMERS CHOOSE TROJAN

Trojan® Insecticide (150 g/L gamma-cyhalothrin capsule suspension) is a patent protected fifth generation pyrethroid that is marketed and sold exclusively in Australia by FMC. Widely used to control pests at early crop establishment in cereals and winter crops, it largely targets either native budworm (Helicoverpa punctigera) in pulses or aphids in cereals.

FMC Australia Head of Sales George Saville says Trojan continues to give consistent high performance, offering increased residual activity, very low dose rates, excellent rainfastness, temperature tolerance, and low volatility and is non-flammable for easier handling, use and transportation.

“After years on the market there’s no doubt it has great efficacy, but we wanted to better understand why our customers choose Trojan,” said Mr Saville.

Extensive qualitative market research was conducted with store managers and agronomists from distribution outlets purchasing Trojan.

“Our research found there were some standout attributes as to why customers are choosing Trojan.” said George.

“Whilst it is generally regarded to be the most potent pyrethroid insecticide available in the world, it’s the usability traits that factor highly in product selection. It comes down to convenience and product fit.”

Convenience of the small packs (low dose) was the highest rating key reason for customers choosing Trojan. While it’s highly effective on pests, the very 20

eldersrural.com.au

low use rates and small 1 L and 5 L containers mean fewer drums, saving on distribution, storage and handling.

Minimising the applied dose of active ingredient in Trojan is made possible by the novel patented chemical manufacturing process.

The patent describes a process that prepares cyclopropane carboxylic acid compounds to produce only the 1 R, cis stereo-isomer, the most insecticidally active of pyrethroid isomers.

The process enables the manufacture of the single stereo-isomer in a manner that is both technically and economically attractive.

The second highest rating attribute with customers was reduced pyrethroid paresthesia - itching and burning of skin - that is an unpleasant side effect of many other pyrethroid insecticides.

This reduction is due to Trojan’s microcapsule formulation providing controlled release of the active ingredient. Initial control of established pest populations occurs primarily through direct contact of the insect pests with collapsing microcapsules.

Larger capsules remain intact gradually releasing the gamma cyhalothrin over time.

George explains, “Whilst the microcap formulation provides both fast knockdown and superior residual control, it also delivers improved user safety, significantly reducing the risk

of pyrethroid induced paresthesia.

Not surprisingly, safety was identified by agronomists as a major strength of Trojan.”

Short withholding periods and registrations on target crops rated in at number three and five with customers respectively. Trojan is registered on Pasture and all key Broadacre crops, including Lentils, with short withholding periods (7-14 days for harvest and grazing) providing flexibility and convenience. Short withholding periods allow for treating Grain legumes and canola for native budworm close to harvest.

No added crop burn was the fourth highest ranking reason for choosing Trojan. The elimination of organic solvents means Trojan offers outstanding tank mix compatibility without increased risk of crop phytotoxicity. It mixes with a wide range of pesticides, trace elements and fertilisers (UAN), meaning it rates particularly high in WA where these additions are common, especially for early aphid anti-feed applications in winter cereals.

Overall, the strengths of Trojan identified by agronomists are very similar to the key product attributes that cause people to choose Trojan: safety, withholding periods, small packs, pest spectrum and ease of use all ranked highly.

TITAN

IMMENSE

HERBICIDE

33 g/L IMAZAMOX & 15 g/L IMAZAPYR For the early post-emergence control of certain annual grass and broadleaf weeds in imidazolinone-tolerant wheat, barley, and canola, as specified in the Directions For Use.

KEY FEATURES 9 9 9 9

Convenient, easy-to-pour liquid formulation Superior activity on problem weeds Residual control of key weeds under good soil moisture Herbicide MOA Group 2 (Group B)

AT A GLANCE CROPS: FORMULATION: ACTIVE INGREDIENT:

APPLICATION RATE: HERBICIDE MOA GROUP:

Imidazolinone-tolerant wheat (Plus), Imidazolinone-tolerant barley, Imidazolinone-tolerant canola Water-soluble Liquid (SL) 33 g/L IMAZAMOX present as the ammonium salt + 15 g/L IMAZAPYR present as the ammonium salt 300-750 ml/ha (depending on crop, target weed and weed pressure) Group 2 (Group B)

EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE FROM YOUR LOCAL TITANAG.COM.AU

BRANCH

Crop Protection

SOIL MOISTURE AGENT SURPRISES IN TRIALS

In a higher rainfall season, some may consider use of a soil moisture agent at seeding to be less effective.

Trials however, are continuing to show crop establishment and, in turn, weed control benefits, both of which are key early cropping goals for growers.

Fully replicated trials of the SE14 soil moisture attraction and retention agent, from SACOA, are also investigating recent research into the use of UAN as the carrier of SE14.

gaps in the rows where SE14 was not applied.

efficacy of pre-emergent herbicides as well as the added crop competition.

Unlike previous years, some fertiliser toxicity has been observed in these cases this season (with compound fertiliser banded below the seed), however it has not occurred in barley.

The moisture agent was applied at 3L/ ha in all canola and barley treatments with differing UAN and water rates, particularly to assess seedling safety when applied with the seed.

The trials are being conducted at Esperance, Shackleton, Coorow, Badgingarra and Nyabing, in Western Australia, the latter being affected by wet conditions.

Mr Marquis said at the non-wetting, sandy gravel soil site west of Gibson, which also had problems with brome grass, SE14 and up to 75L/ha of UAN was sown with barley seed using a split seeding system.

“SE14 results in more moisture to activate pre-emergent herbicides and can draw some pre-emergent and/ or moisture from the inter-row to help control the in-furrow weeds,” Mr Fleay said.

South East Agronomy Research director Luke Marquis, who is overlooking SE14 trials in lupins, canola and barley near Munglinup and west of Gibson, said better and more even germinations and crop establishment were the key results of using the moisture agent.

Near Munglinup, the lupins were on a non-wetting, deeper sand over gravel soil type and the SE14 was applied at 2 litres, 3L and 4L per hectare with water rates of 30L, 60L and 90L/ha.

“Basically, you would be mad to plant lupins without SE14,” Mr Marquis said.

“It got them out of the ground really evenly and they competed with the weeds a lot better than where we didn’t have SE14,” he added.

“Plant counts were better and it was very even, with no gaps in the rows, so it competed well with the weeds.

“By banding the liquid SE14 right where the seed goes, it helps that germination and even establishment, so using it with lupins is a no-brainer.’’

Mr Marquis said the canola was on a non-wetting, duplex gravel over clay site and, again, canopy photos had shown

Trial site, Mt Walker, Western Australia

He said the applications appeared to be safe and there were now subtle differences in the trial plots, with the SE14 treatments showing more even crop canopies.

Byron Milne, of independent research business SLR, which manages the central and northern agricultural region trial sites, said nitrogen toxicity of canola seedlings had been enhanced this year, due to dry earlier sowings followed by rainfall and warm soil conditions. SE14 improved crop safety in all cases.

He said it also contributed to improved canola establishment and while lupin establishment was not as strong due to excellent yearly rains, it still showed more biomass and faster canopy closure.

SACOA WA regional manager Damon Fleay said the strong lupin establishment from SE14 applications was well highlighted near Munglinup, with similar plant numbers in all of the SE14 and water rate treatments in the trial.

Mr Fleay said the good weed control also could be attributed to improved

A SE14 pre-emergent herbicide interaction trial in canola near Kojonup in 2017 showed the SE14 treated plots had significantly less weeds, even in the plots with no herbicide. This was largely due to crop competition from the canola and a reduction of soil moisture in the inter-row.

Mr Fleay said the trial assessing SE14 and UAN applied with barley seed near Gibson once again demonstrated that UAN was a safe carrier for SE14 in cereal crops.

“This followed similar trials in previous years, showing that when compound fertiliser is applied away from seed, it is safe to apply SE14 and UAN at up to 50L/ha with the seed,” he said.

“There have been no adverse effects on establishment.’’

Mr Fleay said for canola, while applications of SE14 and UAN with seed illustrated it was safer for UAN to be applied with SE14, grower applications should be carefully considered based on their specific seeding systems and placement of fertilisers.

Growers using SE14 in different parts of the agricultural region, incorporating various soil types and environments, also had reported strong establishment of lupin and canola crops this season.

23

Crop Protection

BAITING TIMING FOR SNAILS AND SLUGS

Grain industry research has found that the timing of bait applications is critical to reduce snail numbers and protect emerging crops from slugs. Understanding when individuals of different species are active, mating and breeding, underpins the successful management of snails and slugs.

With above average rainfall across large parts of the south-eastern cropping regions recorded throughout the 2022 crop season, many growers are anticipating higher than usual numbers of slugs and snails this season.

SNAILS Wet autumn and winter conditions favour snail breeding. As a result, snail numbers increased in 2021. An AgNova project monitoring snail reproduction in South Australian vineyards to improve bait timing, observed garden snails mating over summer. Initial findings suggest garden snails are opportunistic breeders, therefore multiple applications of baits within a season will be required.

The idea that snails hibernate over summer (aestivate) is misleading; timelapse footage shows snails moving whenever moisture is available and

feeding once individuals are hydrated.

In trials, IRONMAX Pro® was applied to a paddock in the southern Yorke Peninsula after 40 mm of rain in January.

Over 90 per cent of the Italian snails feeding on it were killed. In comparison, conical snails in the same paddock did not feed on the baits – they were not in an active state.

Growers need to monitor snail activity and apply bait accordingly. In 2022, this may mean baiting from late February onwards, when round snails will be actively feeding, and again later in April, when conical snails will be actively feeding after mating. With the introduction of the iron phosphate product, IRONMAX Pro and timely follow-up baiting prior to harvest, it is possible to eliminate snails due to the nil withholding period. This newly registered product has a great fit in intensive pasture systems.

SLUGS Slug activity and breeding has benefited from La Niña, with large numbers expected to carry over into 2022. Taking longer to grow than grey field slugs, black keeled slug numbers are expected to be greater again in 2022. In 2021, black keeled slugs were observed in April, but a large number also emerged mid-May, when the “black wave of doom” is usually observed.

This is consistent with overseas research: slugs emerge from the ground over an extended period, up to nine months for grey field slug populations.

What is observed on the soil surface is only the active proportion of the slug population at any one point in time; the total number is often much greater.

This highlights the need to not be complacent: use long lasting baits for sustained control where monitoring of establishing crops every three to four days is not possible.

In areas that had a long cool spring in 2021, numbers of grey field slugs built up as suggested by spring monitoring (see graph below). Proactive growers applied bait after seeding to protect seed and seedlings, but where branbased pellets were used, had to reapply after substantial rainfall. Those using an all-weather product, such as Metarex Inov®, were controlling slugs with this single application after 50 to 80 mm of rain.

Long term monitoring is vital to understand when snails and slugs are ready to take baits, so management can be proactive to achieve the best results.

Slug population dynamics in southwestern Victoria, 2019-2021.

24

eldersrural.com.au

®Registered trademarks of De Sangosse SA

SLUGS & SNAILS LOVE IT TO DEATH

METAREX INOV All Weather Slug & Snail Bait developed from science & nature providing superior control based on unique technology for enhanced delivery

Maximum Attractiveness Enhanced Palatability Faster Efficient Kill Persistent Control

Innovation. Quality. Solutions.

Inov and Colzactive are registered ® Metarex trademarks of De Sangosse SA. 201029

BETTER TRELLIS = MORE GRAPES! USE GRIPFAST® STEEL TRELLIS POSTS. CUSTOMER SOLUTIONS

“I installed the Gripfast posts because it’s an Australian product and it’s versatile. Being able to adjust wires and harvest closer to the posts, ensures that we get the quality and the maximum quantity from every harvest.”- Adrian Hoffmann Dimchurch vineyard, SA

GRIPFAST®

TIMBER

HARVEST MORE GRAPES USING GRIPFAST POSTS.

SCAN TO DISCOVER MORE CUSTOMER SOLUTIONS

WATCH CUSTOMER & HOW-TO VIDEOS AT ANY TIME! SUBSCRIBE

SCAN HERE

SUBSCRIBE TO WARATAH FENCING ON

TODAY!

Fencing

WARATAH® FENCING – PROVEN TO BE EFFECTIVE IN THE FIELD

Feral animals, when not taken care of correctly, can cause a lot of damage and stress to any farming enterprise and reduce property yields.

Dean Hague runs a mixed farming enterprise near Lake Cargelligo.

However, Dean and other farmers in the area knew that the problems that they were having with feral animals were increasing.

Feral animals were causing extensive damage to the landscape, crops, and to livestock. The issue was becoming very costly to all farmers and something had to be done.

that has been around a long time and they (Waratah) were easy to deal with.”

THE SPECIFICS OF THE CLUSTER The fencing cluster is a fully enclosed 210km fence covering 177,000 hectares over 16 landholders. The cluster fence design included:

> 15/150/15 Stocksafe-T® Longlife Blue® with apron to stop animals from burrowing under the fence line whilst also providing enough height to deter kangaroos from jumping the fence;

Dean stated, “We just wanted to try and control our grazing pressure. Because our properties are backing onto national parks, we were having a lot of trouble with feral pigs, as well as kangaroos.”

> Blue latch posts, which made the fence easier to erect saving labour costs and provided strong ground holding to prevent the fence line from being compromised by charging animals such as feral pigs, and

Dean, along with multiple farmers in the area decided enough was enough and made the decision to collectively fence out the feral animals, forming a fencing cluster around themselves.

> Waratah high tensile barbed wire Longlife Blue® across the top, providing extra height to the fence to further deter animals leaping and jumping over the fence line.

Dean stated, “We looked through every product right up to this Waratah fence.” Dean settled on a Waratah fence because “it was over such a big area and pretty remote some of it, and we didn’t want to have to go back and keep maintaining it. It was a proven product,

All wires used in the fence were coated in Waratah’s LongLife Blue coating, which means the wire will have corrosion resistance lasting nine times longer than standard galvanised wire and 1.5 times longer than heavy galvanised wire.

IMPRESSIVE RESULTS

After the cluster fenced was established the farmers saw a marked reduction in feral animals on their properties.

Dean stated “We knew it was going to work. We just weren’t sure how long it was going to be before we got the benefit. But, within six months we could see that we were starting to go forward, a year after the fence went up we went from marking 70-80 per cent (pc) of lambs to 125pc of lambs, increasing income by a few hundred thousand dollars.”

Dean had some advice for anyone considering a similar project, “it’s a big cost straight up but if you break it down to $2-3 an acre on your property, you can’t really do too much for $2-3 dollars an acre, but doing this could potentially raise your income by 20-30pc!”

To hear Dean’s full story, or to listen to other happy customers, visit the Waratah YouTube page: youtube.com/WaratahFencingAustralia For more information about what Waratah can do for you visit your local Elders branch or go to www.waratahfencing.com.au or contact 13 10 80.

27

News

PICKING UP AFTER CYCLONE SEROJA Severe tropical cyclone Seroja crossed the coast of Western Australia on 11 April, bringing destructive winds that wrecked homes, uprooted trees and left farming communities isolated and without power.

As always, the wellbeing of people and communities were first priorities.

While the most severe impacts were seen in Kalbarri and Northampton, cyclone Seroja kept up its intensity for hundreds of kilometres, causing significant damage to farming communities at Yuna and Nabawa as well as further south at Mingenew, Carnamah, and Coorow.

Elders Geraldton’s Branch Manager, George Panayotou, said the cyclone tracked over his place at around 9:00 pm on Sunday evening. By early Monday morning, he was at the branch to assess the damage.

“I remember thinking it was strange that the gates were closed, but the roller doors were wide open,” he said.

“Then when I came into the yard, I saw that the roller doors had blown inside on top of all our merchandise and the wind pressure had blown out the skylights.”

At this point, his response priorities were people, power and products.

George was able to hire a generator, which powered the fridges and protected their stock of animal health vaccines, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. It also powered many priceless cups of tea and coffee.

“Some of our people had been hit hard.

Having your roof blown off while you’re lying in bed at night, that’s a major shock,” “Everybody reacts differently in times of adversity. Some people need to be busy with a broom and others need time out, but in the aftermath, the one thing the cyclone did was bring us all together.

That was probably the most positive thing to come out of it.”

SUPPORT FOR ELDERS PEOPLE “The support from Elders sensational,” said George.

was

“The company really lived up to its promise of supporting our people and communities.

“We didn’t feel as though we had to go it alone, in fact there was an army of support behind us. We knew that at any time we could pick up the phone and there was somebody there to help.”

The Elders Staff Foundation fund also provided much needed monetary support to the 30 local staff and their families. Up to $2000 was paid to individuals severely affected by the cyclone, while a minimum of $150 was provided to staff to help restock their fridges after nearly a week without power.

“The main thing was to get the kettle on, and everybody’s spirits rose after that,” he said.

“We were all affected in some way, so that money deposited straight into our bank accounts just kept us going when we needed it,” George said.

After contacting all the staff from Geraldton and Northampton to check on their safety, George and the Elders team also followed through with practical and emotional support, including arranging emergency accommodation where necessary.

All Elders staff are invited to be members of the Elders Staff Foundation fund for just $1.15 per fortnight, giving them the chance to help out Elders people in times of natural disaster or personal tragedy. The funds collected from staff are matched dollar for dollar by Elders.

28

eldersrural.com.au

SUPPORT FOR FARMING COMMUNITIES During the ongoing clean-up in the Northampton and Geraldton branches, Elders continued to be there for its local farming community. George said many growers were facing severe stress and were struggling to cope, so reaching out and putting them in touch with friends and neighbours was critical.

In the following weeks, they were also able to visit clients and offer disaster relief terms that would see them through to after harvest.

“That was so important in just taking the pressure off and helping growers make the most of the cracking season.”

George said the best way Elders was able to support local farmers was by continuing to supply fertilisers, fungicides and everything else needed to get their crops established and protected through to harvest.

“In a lot of ways, we’ve had to just push the cyclone impact aside and get on with the job,” he said.

“The rain this year has been a blessing for growers and they are determined to make the most of it. Everyone’s saying it’s a one in 20 year season.”

An aerial view of some of the destruction caused by cyclone Seroja to farming properties.

Still smiling after the destruction caused by Cyclone Seroja are (L-R) Hayley Marshall (Rural Products Sales Rep), George Panayotou (Branch Manager) and Craig Hardy (Rural Products Sales Manager), pictured here at the Elders Northampton branch.

29

Animal Health

WORMS ARE GROWING INCREASINGLY RESISTANT TO PARASITICIDES

Studies show infected cattle underperform by 7.4 per cent (pc) in average daily weight gain1 and can have 5.4pc lower feed intake1.

Dr Matthew Petersen, Livestock Operations Manager at Zoetis recommends that producers consider six questions before selecting a cattle drench: > Is the drench being used for weaners and young, growing cattle? > Are they buying cattle in or bringing cattle back from agistment blocks? > Are cattle being inducted into a backgrounding or feedlot facility? > Have they been disappointed by previous results from drenching? > Have they had parasite resistance diagnosed on your farm? > Do they also need to control ticks and/or lice?

If a producer answered ‘Yes’ to any of these questions, the producer should consider using a dual active drench to ensure a high efficacy worm kill and to either prevent parasite resistance developing on your farm or break existing resistance profiles, said Dr Petersen.

and young, growing cattle which are most economically impacted by worms.

Given its very high treatment efficacy, Dectomax V is ideal as a quarantine/ induction drench to prevent resistance worms entering a farm with brought in stock. It can also be used in replacement breeding stock, such as replacement heifers and where necessary can be used in adult cattle. It’s an ideal product for use on entry to backgrounding and at induction prior to feedlot entry to ensure resistant worms don’t hinder weight gain.

Dectomax V is an evolution from Dectomax which has been trusted and used across Australia for over 20 years.

Dectomax V combines the trusted performance of doramectin, from Dectomax, with the added strength of levamisole. Dectomax V is the first injectable ML/Levamisole combination product registered in Australia and provides a dual active killing power with unsurpassed efficacy against key parasites, including those often resistant to other single active drenches.2-15

Dectomax V has just been released to the market. It’s Australia’s first injectable dual active drench.

Dectomax V was also compared to leading drenches in Australia and the results were outstanding with an overall mean efficacy of 99.8pc across 13 studies16. However, two leading single active ML drenches used for comparison both showed results less than 95pc, indicating a growing level of resistance to this drench class.

Dectomax V is ideal for all weaners

Providing high efficacy, this broad

THE BENEFITS OF DECTOMAX V

30

eldersrural.com.au

spectrum parasiticide with new dual active technology is designed to kill the most damaging parasites, including resistant worms. Easy injectable administration results in highly reliable dosing. In addition to treating gastrointestinal worms, it also controls cattle tick and sucking lice.

DECTOMAX V PRODUCT CLAIMS > For the treatment and control of adult and L4 larval (immature) stages of gastrointestinal worms, including both macrocyclic lactone and levamisole resistant strains > For the treatment and control of Cattle tick – prevents development of viable ticks for 30 days after treatment > For the treatment and control of Sucking lice – 56 days > Safe for use in calves from three months of age and at all stages of pregnancy > MEAT WHP & ESI: 35 days Refer to product label for registered label claims.

REFERENCES

1. Stromberg, B. E., et al. (2012). “Cooperia punctata: effect on cattle productivity?” Vet Parasitol 183 (3-4): 284-291.

2.Zoetis Inc. DECTOMAX V Australian Product Information. 2021.

3-15: Zoetis Studies: A3580, A3595, A3596, A3798, A3881, A3809, A3858, A3861, A3862, A3863, A3864, A3860, A3859. Data on file.

16. Overall mean efficacy (GM) of 99.8% across thirteen field studies. Zoetis data on file.

ON WORMS

+

LEVAMISOLE

AUSTRALIA’S FIRST DUAL ACTIVE INJECTABLE DRENCH FOR CATTLE Introducing Dectomax V…the first injectable harnessing the trusted power of Dectomax, with the added strength of levamisole, in a single injection.

New Dual Active Drench Technology - resistance breaking

Easy injectable administration for highly reliable dosing

High efficacy, broad spectrum parasiticide*

Treats gastrointestinal worms, cattle tick, sucking lice

AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL VET & RURAL RESELLER

Dectomax V for victory. Stop resistance developing on your property.

PREMIUM PERFORMANCE FOR LEADING CATTLE PRODUCERS *Overall mean efficacy (GM) of 99.8% across thirteen field studies. Zoetis data on file.

Zoetis Australia Pty Ltd. ABN 94 156 476 425. Level 6, 5 Rider Boulevard Rhodes, NSW 2138. © 2021 Zoetis Inc. All rights reserved. 10/21 ZL1442

Information in your hands

ZOETIS.COM.AU/LS

DUAL ACTIVE DRENCH DRIVES CATTLE PRODUCTIVITY MEAN WEIGHT GAIN (KG) AFTER 63 DAYS1 52 KG

-8 KG

-11 KG

+8KG

WEIGHT GAIN PER HEAD

44 KG 41 KG

=

+ $48.00* Cydectin Platinum

Doramectin Pour-On

Control Group

* based on $6.00/kg LW vs Doramectin® Pour-on

(P<0.05 at Day 28 and 0.08 from Day 42)

THE NEXT GENERATION DUAL ACTIVE DRENCH FOR CATTLE UNRIVALLED WORM CONTROL, 99% - 100% EFFECTIVE AGAINST KEY CATTLE WORMS2 ONLY COMBINATION DRENCH WITH PERSISTENT ACTIVITY FOR REDUCED PASTURE CONTAMINATION FOR UP TO 35 DAYS3 7 DAY MEAT WHP AND 20 DAY ESI OFFER OPTIMAL MARKET OPPORTUNITY3

au.virbac.com/platinum Reference: 1. NSW DPI (2020) Duck Creek Endoparasite Trial (data on file). Not a registered claim. 2. Virbac- Data on File. 3. Refer to registered label.

Animal Health

WEANER CATTLE - IS YOUR DRENCH DOING ITS JOB?

A recent scientific article in the Australian Cattle Veterinarians (ACV) journal highlights the need to check that your weaner drench is effective.

Drench resistance is widespread in Australia.6-13,16 It is recommended that combination drenches (more than one active against the same parasite) be the standard treatment of cattle.

The ACV journal article outlines valuable data from 2018-2021 on: > The extent of drench resistance in Australian cattle worms > How different drenches are working against different worm types > Productivity responses when more effective drenches are used onfarm

WHICH WORMS ARE RESISTANT? Effective drench programs are essential to drive good productivity in young Australian cattle.1,2,3,4 The important worms in Australian cattle are Barber’s Pole Worm, Cooperia and Ostertagia.5 Drench resistance in these worms can lead to a decrease in productivity.1,2,3,14,16 The ACV article collates 25 trial results to show that overall mean efficacy of single active drenches in Australian cattle can be estimated at only 72 per cent (pc).

Drenches need to be working at 95pc or better.

AT A GLANCE ■ Drenches need to be working at 95pc or better.

■ Cattle producers are encouraged to work with advisors to seek improvements in their parasite management programs.

■ The use of combination drenches should be the default position when chemicals are needed to protect the health and productivity of cattle.

33

Animal Health

A summary of the mean results for pour-on drenches and worm type is found in table one.

Table One: Summary by pour on drench formulation for Faecal Egg Count Reduction Tests (FECRTs) and Total Worm Counts (TWC) completed between 2018 and 2021 in multiple locations in Australia. All data uses arithmetic mean.

Product/Active/route^

No. of tests mean result based on

Efficacy (%) Total

Efficacy (%) Haemonchus

Efficacy (%) Cooperia

Efficacy (%) Ostertagia*

Cydectin Platinum

25

99.4

99.4

99.3

100

Moxidectin PO

10

67.8

75.0

69.3

99.0

Doramectin PO

8

53.5

28.9

71.9

NA

Ivermectin PO

3

68.3

0.0

87.3

NA

Abamectin PO

2

72.5

51.0

86.0

97.0

Levamisole PO

6

96.8

99.7

99.7

73.0

Moxidectin/Levamisole PO

^PO=pour-on NA means there were no larvae of that genus in the faecal culture for that treatment group

Other key findings include: > The dual-active combination of moxidectin and levamisole (Cydectin Platinum) was 99-100pc effective against all key worms of cattle. > Barber’s Pole Worm and Cooperia resistance to ‘Mectin’ drenches is common. Levamisole is generally effective against these worms.

compared to ivermectin and doramectin.15,16 Mean efficacy of doramectin pour-on against Barber’s Pole Worm across 8 studies was 28.9pc while mean efficacy of moxidectin pour-on was 75pc. In one study, doramectin 1pc injectable had an efficacy of 8pc ,while Cydectin injectables were 99- 100pc effective.

> Moxidectin (as in Cydectin) has an advantage against ‘Mectin’ resistant worms, especially Barber’s Pole Worm, when

> Mectins are performing adequately against Ostertagia on many farms but resistance has been detected.

Moxidectin was still 97-100pc

THE IMPACT ON CATTLE

In 2020-21 James Cook University (Townsville, Northern Australia) and NSW DPI (North Coast, NSW) investigated cattle weight gain following treatment of weaners with different drench products.

The combination drench, Cydectin Platinum, led to increased weight gain (for example 8 kg more than doramectin pour-on over 2 months).

The impact of drench resistance in cattle is often not severe illness or death, like in sheep; but instead, significant loss of productivity.

Over a period of eight weeks, the failure to effectively remove worm burdens in growing cattle can mean a potential loss of 8-12 kg.1,2 While many cattle producers can visually identify a difference of 30-50 kg, it is difficult to identify a productivity loss of 8-12 kg.

This is one reason that drench resistance may remain unidentified on some cattle properties. Which is a problem, because investment in genetics and feed may be undermined by failings in the animal health program.

34

eldersrural.com.au

Virbac senior livestock technical services manager Dr Matt Ball encourages farmers to ensure they choose the most effective cattle drench to fight parasites.

“We now recognise that single active drenches are no longer effective to control all key worms or protect productivity,” Dr Ball explained.

effective in controlling Ostertagia in five scientific studies.

Levamisole used on its own was not always reliable against Ostertagia and should be used in combination with another active for reliable worm control. > A nitroxynil and ivermectin combination (Nitromec) had very high efficacy (100pc) against mectin-resistant Barber’s Pole Worm suggesting that nitroxynil might be an undervalued active for treatment of this parasite.

CYDECTIN PLATINUM Cydectin Platinum is the next generation dual-active pour-on drench for cattle containing moxidectin and levamisole. > Unrivalled 100pc)

worm

control

(99-

> Highly effective against single and dual-resistant worms > Short 7 day withholding period > Only combination drench with persistency - prevents pasture contamination for up to 35 days > No known impact on dung beetles It also is the first veterinary use of DMISorbTM technology to keep the product concentrated to the areas where it

was applied and reduce absorption variability. All in the convenience of an easy to use low volume pour-on.

of beef heifers drenched with long and short acting anthelmintics, Australian Veterinary Journal, 94:341-346.

Cattle producers are encouraged to work with advisors to seek improvements in their parasite management programs.

The use of combination drenches should be the default position when chemicals are needed to protect the health and productivity of cattle.

6. Sutherland and Leathwick (2011) Anthelmintic resistance in nematode parasites of cattle: a global issue? Trends Parasitol. 27(4):176-81.

To find out more visit your local Elders branch.

REFERENCES 1. Canton et al (2019) Impact on beef cattle productivity of infection with anthelminticresistant nematodes, New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 68: 187-192.

2. NSW DPI (2020) Duck Creek Endoparasite Trial Virbac Data on File.

3. Virbac (2016) Weaner Productivity Trials - Virbac Data on File 4. Eppleston & Watt (2016) Post Weaning Growth

5). The Australian Society for Parasitology (2014) Australasian Animal Parasites Inside Out. E-Textbook.

7. Rendell (2010) Anthelmintic resistance in cattle nematodes on 13 south west VIC properties.

Australian Veterinary Journal 88:504-509 8. Wonders (2016) What does anthelmintic resistance mean for worm treatment in cattle?

Proceedings of the 98th District Veterinarians conference.

9. Rendell, Homer, Rolls, Webb-Ware, Cotton, Beall, Larsen (2014), Anthelmintic resistance in cattle nematodes on thirty-six Victorian properties, Proceedings of the 28th World Buiatrics Congress 231–244 10. Cotter, Van Burgel, Besier (2015), Anthelmintic resistance in nematodes of beef cattle in southwest Western Australia, Veterinary Parasitology 207, 276-284

Thomas Elder Consulting Your made-to-measure, farm management experts Built by Elders - Australia’s leading agribusiness Thomas Elder Consulting (TEC) is an independent, specialist agricultural consulting business offering customised, whole farm management advice.

Strategically located across Australia, our team of highly specialised TEC consultants provide a premium, all-encompassing consultancy model comprising expertise across all sectors of agriculture including: • Agronomic solutions • Farm business management • Production and farm planning • Livestock production

• Carbon farming • Benchmarking • Precision agriculture • Water scheduling • Decision agriculture • Genomics

Our TEC consultants enhance our clients’ returns and sustainable productivity through the provision of cuttingedge, data-driven advice tailored to drive the desired results for our farming clients. www.thomaselderconsulting.com.au

11. Lyndal-Murphy et al (2010) Reduced efficacy of macrocyclic lactone treatments in controlling gastrointestinal nematode infections of weaner dairy calves in subtropical eastern Australia. Vet Parasitology. 168:146-150.

12. Bullen, Beggs, Mansell, Runciman, Malmo, Playford, Pyman (2016), Anthelmintic resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes of dairy cattle in the Macalister Irrigation District of Victoria, Australian Veterinary Journal 94, 35-41 13. Eagleson, Bowie, and Dawkins (1992).

Benzimidazole resistance in Trichostrongylus axei in Australia. Veterinary Record 131, 317-318 14. George M, George M and Kotz A (2020) Production impacts and resistance of gastrointestinal parasites in feedlot cattle, MLA: B.FLT.3002 15. Pritchard and Geary (2019) Perspectives on the utility of moxidectin for the control of parasitic nematodes in the face of developing anthelmintic resistance, International Journal for ParasitologyDrugs and Drug Resistance, 10:69-83.

16. Ball and Gibbison (2021), Resistance Patterns to Avermectins and Milbemycins in Australian Cattle Nematodes, ACV Journal Dec 2021.

Animal Health

IF YOU DON’T KNOW THE EFFICACY OF YOUR DRENCH, THEN TAKE THE ZOLVIX™ PLUS CHALLENGE

AUSTRALIAN sheep producers spent almost $104 million in the last 12 months on drenches to manage internal parasites.1 Unfortunately, many of these drenches are no longer fully effective in controlling worms and in some cases, are completely ineffective.2 There is widespread single, double and triple resistance to all older active ingredients, including moxidectin and two-, threeand four-way combinations.2 Any reduction in drench efficacy has a direct impact on the health and productivity of sheep throughout the year.

Even a mild or moderate reduction in drench efficacy can reduce potential income by 2–10%.3 At a conservative gross margin of $150/ewe (excluding feed costs),4 a 15% reduction in drench efficacy equates to $3/ewe in lost production. A 35% reduction in drench efficacy equates to $15/ewe in lost production.

Drenching is hard work, and it takes just as much effort to administer an ineffective drench as it does a fully effective drench. The most expensive drench is the one that doesn’t work!

If you don’t know the efficacy of your drench, then take the Zolvix™ Plus Challenge.

Find out if your drench is working by undertaking a free DrenchCheck worth approximately $200! A DrenchCheck is a simple way to indicate the efficacy of your existing drench against the worm burden in your sheep at the time of testing.

A DrenchCheck involves conducting two Worm Egg Count (WEC) tests to determine the reduction in the worm egg count after drenching. The first test is conducted up to 10 days before drenching. The second test is conducted 10–14 days after drenching.

36

eldersrural.com.au

The presence of any worm eggs – even very low counts –14 days after drenching may indicate a problem. The larval culture results from the second test will indicate which worm species survived treatment and may be resistant to that drench.

Re-treatment with an effective drench may be required.

Conducting a full DrenchTest (Worm or Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test (WECRT/FERCT)) every 2-3 years is regarded as best practice5 to accurately determine the resistance status and efficacy of each drench class against each worm species on your property.

To claim your free DrenchCheck kit, simply register your details at zolvixplusrewards.com.au before your next planned drench. Your local Elanco representative will then contact you to discuss your current program and provide directions on how to undertake the test.

The Drench Check will require two Elanco Worm Test kits, each containing 10 sample jars, gloves, instructions, order/authorisation form and a pre-paid Express Post bag.

Use the first kit to collect 10 Individual faecal samples before drenching and dispatch to the testing laboratory using the pre-paid Express Post bag. Use the second kit to collect 10 individual faecal samples 10–14 days after drenching and dispatch to the testing laboratory using the pre-paid Express Post bag.

Your local Elanco representative will contact you to discuss the results of the DrenchCheck and provide recommendations on how to maintain or to increase the effectiveness of your drenching program. Then you will know if your current drench is really working or not.

Zolvix Plus is the only combination drench that delivers the power of monepantel. Its unique mode of action provides >99.9% efficacy against a broad spectrum of internal parasites, including single, double and triple resistant strains.6,7 Its new 21-day Export Slaughter Interval is the lowest of any combination drench containing abamectin.

Always read and follow label directions.

Resistance may develop to any chemical.

Ask your local veterinary practitioner or animal health advisor for recommended parasite management practices for your area to reduce development of resistance. It is advisable that a resistance test be conducted before any parasite treatment is used. Use in accordance with the registered label directions and regional drench decision guidelines (www.wormboss.com.au). *Visit zolvixplusrewards.com.au terms and conditions.

for

REFERENCES 1. Baron sales data 2021.

2. Playford, M.C. et al. (2014). Prevalence and severity of anthelmintic resistance in ovine gastrointestinal nematodes in Australia (20092012). Aust Vet J 92(12):464–471.

3. Besier R.B., et al. (1996). Drench resistance – a large economic cost. J. Agric. West. Aust. 37:60– 63.

4. dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/budgets/livestock 5. http://www.wormboss.com.au/sheep-goats/ tests-tools/tests/testing-drench-effectivenesswith-a-drenchtest.php 6.Refer to registered label.

7. Hosking, B.C. et al. (2010). A pooled analysis of the efficacy of monepantel, an amino-acetonitrile derivative against gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep. Parasitol Res 106:529-532.

Zolvix Plus contains 25 g/L monepantel and 2 g/L abamectin. Elanco, Zolvix™ and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. ©2021 Elanco or its affiliates. EAH21721.

PM-AU-21-0872

IS YOUR CURRENT DRENCH REALLY WORKING?

TAKE THE

CHALLENGE RE

UT MO

FIND O

AND FIND OUT! FRE

E

$230 DRE N CHE CH CK *

THE FIRST CHOICE PRE-LAMBING, WEANING AND SUMMER DRENCH Reduced drench efficacy could be costing you thousands of dollars in lost productivity every year. Zolvix Plus is the only combination drench that delivers the power of monepantel. Its unique mode of action provides >99.9% efficacy against a broad spectrum of internal parasites, including single, double and triple resistant strains.1,2 Its new 21-day Export Slaughter Interval is the lowest of any combination drench containing abamectin.

Visit ZolvixPlusRewards.com.au today and take the Zolvix Plus challenge! *Visit zolvixplusrewards.com.au for terms and conditions. References: 1. Refer to registered label. 2. Hosking, B.C. et al. (2010). A pooled analysis of the efficacy of monepantel, an amino-acetonitrile derivative against gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep. Parasitol Res 106:529-532. Zolvix Plus contains 25 g/L monepantel and 2 g/L abamectin. Always read and follow the label directions. For full product details, contact Elanco Customer Service on 1800 226 324 between 8 am and 5 pm EST Monday to Friday. Zolvix™, Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. ©2021 Elanco or its affiliates. EAH21607. PM-AU-21-0862.

Animal Health

TROY ANIMAL HEALTH CONTINUES AUSSIE HELPERS PARTNERSHIP

Troy Animal Health is continuing their partnership with charity Aussie Helpers, donating $5 from every drum of AVENGE + FLY purchased from February 1 to May 31 2022.

Aussie Helpers provides farmers and their families with financial assistance, farming supplies, household necessities and educational support for children in remote areas.

Craig Lyons, Marketing Manager from Troy Animal Healthcare, said the partnership would enable Aussie Helpers to continue the amazing work they do.

This partnership will directly support Aussie Helpers’ initiatives across the country, having already provided more than $24 million in aid to more than 15,000 farming families since 2002.

“We are very proud to be able to partner with Aussie Helpers, one of Australia’s largest rural charities, and continue to support the farmers who need it most,” Mr Lyons said.

CONSIDER THE AVENGE + FLY RANGE

“As we approach the end of the current flystrike season, I encourage those who are looking for a new rotational product to try AVENGE + FLY. Rotation is critical to mitigating the risk of chemical resistance and your investment directly supports farmers and their communities doing it tough.”

Troy Animal Health’s AVENGE + FLY product is helping at a time when many farmers across the country are treating sheep to ensure they remain protected from flystrike during this wet summer.

With farmers reporting resistance issues to commonly used flystrike prevention chemicals, AVENGE + FLY offers the first new active for spray on flystrike prevention in 20 years.

“Speak to your local supplier and make sure you place your order well in advance as supply remains tight, due to high demand and supply chain

constraints from COVID.” Tash Kocks, CEO of Aussie Helpers said the partnership with Troy Animal Health helps the organisation to continue to provide much needed support to farmers across the country.

“We are excited about the opportunities this partnership will create for communities. I want to thank Troy Animal Healthcare for their support; aiding our cause through their donations and enabling us to get much needed resources to rural and regional areas,” Ms Kocks said.

“The partnership aligns with our commitment to helping farmers and we believe AVENGE + FLY and the proceeds donated will make a large impact within the community.”

AVENGE + FLY is a registered trade make of Troy Animal Health, contact your local Elders branch for more information.

ABOUT TROY LABORATORIES

ABOUT AUSSIE HELPERS

Troy Animal Healthcare is an Australian owned company with a long history and a proven track record when it comes to servicing the needs of the animal healthcare communities in Australia, New Zealand and across the globe. Troy is a significant investor in the Animal Healthcare Industry and employs a wide range of personnel in the areas of manufacturing, quality control, warehousing, administration, sales, and marketing.

Aussie Helpers is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping Aussie farmers, farming families and farming communities survive through the tough times. They are entirely funded through donations and sponsorships and rely on the generous network of volunteers to achieve their mission.

Craig Lyons, Marketing Manager of TROY Animal Healthcare

38

eldersrural.com.au

Tash Kocks, CEO of Aussie Helpers

COMBINATION POWER POUR-ON CONVENIENCE For more information, visit hunterriverco.com.au

ACTIVE CONSTITUENT: 100 MG/ML MOXIDECTIN

SEASON LONG DEFENSE!

1

PERSISTENT CONTROL OF

CATTLE WORMS

Talk to your local Elders team about HRC Moxistar Long Acting Injection for Cattle.

For more information, please visit hunterriverco.com.au

PREMIUM CHOICE FOR

TICK MANAGEMENT

NO KNOWN EFFECT ON

DUNG BEETLES

1 Based on a calendar season and registered label claims of Haemonchus placei and Ostertagia ostertagi.

TALK TO YOUR LOCAL ELDERS TEAM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

News

NIGEL HAWKE – A LIVESTOCK AGENT FOR ALL SEASONS

One of Elders’ most highly regarded and successful livestock agents, Nigel Hawke, is driven by a great passion for helping his clients produce food and fibre for Australians.

As Nigel explains, no two days are the same in his line of work, yet his purpose remains unchanged after many years – to provide support and guidance to clients no matter the season.

Nigel works closely with 60 farmers around the South Coast and Great Southern regions of Western Australia from his base at Elders Albany, guiding them as they develop their business plans and encouraging them every step of the way.

As a livestock agent, he markets sheep and cattle at the right time and to the right buyers for maximum returns, as well as classing livestock and sourcing breeding stock.

“I love my job. It’s seasonal and varied,

it’s competitive and busy, and there’s a reasonable amount of pressure and adrenaline involved with it, but the best part of my job is developing relationships with my clients and seeing their long-term strategies pay off,” he said.

Nigel joined Elders 10 years ago, bringing a wealth of experience gained from years of livestock buying.

He grew up in Victoria and studied wool and fibre marketing, before working in a variety of ag industry jobs around his home town of Whittlesea and then in Western Australia.

His entry into livestock buying arose when a position came up with Fletcher abattoirs, which he describes as

the best opportunity of his career. It developed into a successful stint as a commission buyer for exporters, major abattoirs, butchers and private clients, and then led him to Elders.

“What attracted me about working with Elders was the opportunity to develop closer relationships with clients and help them build on longer-term strategies,” he said.

“At Elders, we all work together to help our clients’ businesses grow.”

While strong local sale connections are critical, Nigel also uses Elders extensive national network for market opportunities.

41

Boehringer Ingelheim Boehringer Boehringer IngelheimIngelheim Purchase thethe Purchasefrom from Boehringer BoehringerIngelheim Ingelheim Animal Health range# # Animal Health range and receive fantastic Stihl Bluetooth earmuffs and receive • Stream music and take calls bonusesfantastic

BONUS OFFER 1

bonuses

• Suitable for a#Excluding wise variety Capsulesof uses such as with a smartphone #Excluding Capsules • Bluetooth 4.0, separate AUX input • Battery run time up to 38 hours

Apple iPad 64GB Wi-Fi (9th Gen)

BONUS OFFER 2

• Gorgeous 10.2 inch Retina display with True Tone • A13 Bionic chip with Neural Engine • 8MP Wide back camera, and 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Centre Stage

Makita Chainsaw and Blower Bonus Pack

BONUS OFFER 3

OFFER 1

• Includes a 36V Brushless 2 x 5.0AH 400 mm Chainsaw Kit and a Makita 36V Brushless Turbo Blower • Chainsaw features tool-less chain tension adjustment, metal spike bar and variable speed trigger, powered by two 18V Li-ion batteries • Dual port battery charger • Brushless turbo blower features variable speed control, trigger lock on button, 3 stage telescopic nozzle, dual battery fuel gauge, 36V of power and runtime

Purchase $1,000 (excl. GST) of Boehringer Ingelheim products in one transaction and $1,000 claim a (excl. pairGST) of Purchase STIHL Bluetooth Earmuffs of Boehringer Ingelheim valued at $200 products in one transaction

OFFER 1

OFFER 2

Purchase $2,500 (excl. GST) of Ancare or Boehringer Ingelheim products in one transaction and claim a new Purchase $2,500 (excl. GST) Apple iPad 64GB Wi-Fi 9th Gen of Ancare or Boehringer valued at $500

OFFER 2

SCAN HERE AND SELECT Ingelheim products in one BONUS BONANZA PROMOTION transaction and claim a new and claim a pair of NEW Apple 64GB Wi-Fi 9th Gen TOiPad CLAIM NOW STIHL Bluetooth Earmuffs RELEASE valued at $200

valued at $500

OFFER 3

Purchase $5,000 (excl. GST) of Boehringer Ingelheim products one transaction and claim a Makita Bonus(excl.

Pack Purchase $5,000 GST) valued at $1,000 of Boehringer Ingelheim

OFFER 3

products one transaction and claim a Makita Bonus Pack valued at $1,000

NEW

Promotion period from 1 December 2021 to 31 May 2022^.

RELEASE

For instructions on how claim and promotion TURN OVER FOR BONUS ITEM to DESCRIPTIONS AND HOW TOT&C’s CLAIM visit www.ahredeem.com.au/BonusBonanza Promotion period from 1 December 2021 to 31 May 2022^.

TURN OVER FOR BONUS ITEM DESCRIPTIONS AND HOW TO CLAIM

Promotion applies to purchases made within the period 1 December 2021 to 31 May 2022. ^While stocks last. Offer excludes sheep capsule products. All claims must be submitted prior to 11:59pm, 30 June 2022. Terms & Conditions apply, please visit ahredeem.com.au for more information. See product label for full claim details and directions for use. Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Australia Pty. Ltd., Level 1, 78 Waterloo Road, North Ryde NSW 2113 Australia. ABN 53 071 187 285. ®MARKS-MIN, ECLIPSE, EPRINEX, IVOMEC, AVOMEC, TRIGUARD and FENNEC are registered trademarks of the Boehringer Ingelheim Group. AU-MSP-0131-2021

News

“For example, when the pressure was on with the drought in 2020, we sold a lot of sheep to the eastern states through our connections with Elders livestock agents over there,” he said.

“I haven’t met any of them personally, but we keep in touch now and it’s like the Elders family has grown.”

As a key adviser, he keeps himself informed through reading, talking with colleagues, and living the industry.

“Being with Elders means you live and breathe agriculture, it’s more than just a job,” “You feel for farmers when there’s a frost, a drought or a flood and you’re proud when your clients grow their businesses and buy that extra bit of land or achieve a good price for their stock, because you’ve helped contribute to that result. It can be very rewarding.”

At Elders, we all work together to help our clients’ businesses grow.

Nigel Hawke

“In the afternoon I drafted cattle for a sale happening tomorrow that we bought six months ago.

He said Australian farmers were increasingly being recognised for their vital role in supplying food and fibre.

“I think it’s important that we stand firm against underselling our product,”

Nigel’s days are as varied as his clients.

“On the way home, I met with a couple who have just bought a winery and are looking for a few trading sheep to keep the grass down under the vines.

“This morning I met with a client and classed up his rams and then next week we’ll go and buy replacements for his breeding program for next year,” he said.

“All my clients are different, but they all need support and guidance and I’m proud to be the person they trust with the responsibility of marketing their livestock.”

“In a small way that’s what I do every day when I’m marketing sheep and cattle.

“I’m immensely proud of the service Elders is providing to Australian agriculture and the part I play in that.”

100% LIVESTOCK FUNDING Be prepared for livestock opportunities with Elders.

Quick & easy sign up Nil upfronts – pay nothing until stock is sold Up to 12 month term

To apply or find out more contact your local branch or call 1300 618 367

43

Fencing

GALLAGHER COMMITS TO A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE WITH LANDCARE BY SUPPORTING CONSERVATION AND GRAZING MANAGEMENT GOALS

For over 50 years, Gallagher has been committed to supporting Australian farmers by providing farm-fit solutions to help simplify the challenges faced by those working on the land.

Gallagher recognise that their simple to install, yet effective electric fencing solutions increasingly assist landholders to achieve not only more productive and profitable farming systems but help make them more sustainable as well.

Gallagher Australia General Manager Malcolm Linn said: “Our excitement for and commitment to ongoing support for the important work done by Landcare groups and members across Australia stems from the knowledge that electric fencing solutions make implementing sustainable farming practices and environmental conservation simpler and more achievable. Our tools can make a real difference to the future of sustainable agriculture and conservation in Australia and can help facilitate change by supporting these Landcare groups.”

Landcare Australia is a national not-forprofit organisation which supports over 6,000 groups and more than 100,000 volunteers with Landcare projects that are focused on sustainable land management practices and environmental conservation.

Gallagher commenced its partnership with Landcare Australia in 2018, by sponsoring the Sustainable Agriculture stream at the National Landcare Conference and with the donation of electric fencing products to support several Landcare projects across the country.

Following the success of these projects in 2018 - which included fencing cattle out of an area of vegetation to support the recovery of the endangered Richmond Birdwing Butterfly and electrifying the exclusion fence around 44

eldersrural.com.au

a breeding enclosure for the Bush Stone Curlew in Central Victoria – Gallagher cemented themselves as true advocates for caring for the land by formally supporting 13 projects through the 2019 Gallagher Landcare Fencing Grants.

“We started to see and hear about the positive impacts that protecting these areas using Gallagher electric fencing solutions were having on the goals the Landcare groups were looking to achieve - this encouraged us to believe that by continuing our support, we could truly help make an impact on the future care of the land in Australia,” said Mr Linn.

When it comes to solutions fit-forpurpose, the Gallagher Westonfence Permanent Electric Fencing solution has been the frontrunner for projects looking to exclude animals from entering an area; in 2019 this involved protecting the habitat of the endangered Western Swamp Tortoise in Western Australia from incursion by feral pigs, as well as providing a safe lambing paddock and haven for the Southern Brown Bandicoot in South-Western Victoria.

The robust solution can be quicker to install than traditional fence options, meaning labour costs for these notfor-profit Landcare groups are greatly reduced. For more experienced landholders, the need to hire a fencing contractor is likely removed entirely, meaning funding can be used more impactfully for additional requirements such as seedlings and tree guards for planting shelterbelts.

Versatile and effective electric fencing solutions are the backbone of what Gallagher can offer land carers, and it is these solutions that the innovative company identifies as being of most use to Landcare groups.

Complementing the versatile nature of these fences is the range of Gallagher Portable Solar Energizers; another well-

Members of the Mid Loddon Catchment Management Network alongside the Gallagher-sponsored predator-proof enclosure which protects a population of Bush Stone Curlews. Gallagher Landcare Electric Fencing grants will again support Landcare projects aiming to achieve conservation and grazing management goals in 2021.

established aspect of the offering from Gallagher that lends itself perfectly to the needs of Landcare projects.

“Many of the Landcare projects supported by Gallagher over the past four years are in remote areas, with no access to reliable mains power. We are so pleased to be able to offer a reliable electric fencing solution for the projects we are supporting, no matter their location.”

The commitment by Gallagher to a sustainable future doesn’t stop at supporting improved grazing management and environmental conservation projects in Australia. More environmentally conscious choices are being made from the top down, with the company’s New Zealand team undertaking several initiatives in 2021 aimed at reducing plastic used in the manufacturing and packaging of its products. The newest design of the Solar Energizer will save 28 tonnes of plastic per year and continues to revolutionise the portability of the product range, making it even more user friendly.

In 2021, Gallagher supported another 14 projects around Australia, focussed on improving grazing management and conservation. In February, applications will open for the 2022 Gallagher Landcare Electric Fencing Grants. For more information, head in-store or visit am.gallagher.com/en-AU

It’s 2022. Satellites guide tractors, remote sensors monitor our soils and robots are milking cows. Every aspect of farm operations has evolved to a higher level of excellence - except fencing.

But now there’s Gallagher Westonfence – a proven, permanent electric fencing solution that stands the test of time and outperforms legacy fencing on every measure.

A fence that is more economical to monitor and maintain, that tells you how your fence is performing and takes seconds to check, rather than hours.

Head into your local rural reseller to push your boundaries and take your farm productivity to a whole new level of excellence, effectiveness and efficiency with Gallagher Westonfence.

Exclusion

Internal

Retrofit/Offset

Retrofitting

Water Management

60 YEARS OF COMPRESSION FITTINGS

The original RN fitting that started the poly revolution

It’s 60 years since Philmac pioneered the first poly compression fitting. That innovative pioneering spirit continues today throughout Philmac as they continue to manufacture the only range of poly compression fittings made in Australia.

Philmac, the manufacturer of the only Australian made range of poly compression fittings is celebrating another milestone in 2022 - 60 years since the first plastic compression fitting was made by Philmac.

As polyethylene (PE) pipe became widely available for use in agriculture in the early 1960’s Philmac pioneered new technology. The Philmac RN fitting changed the way water was distributed on farms across Australia, suddenly joining poly pipe became faster, easier and more economical.

In 1995 when Philmac were developing the version now known as the rural fitting, the team worked closely with farmers. Valuable feedback and insights were gained and this part of the reason why this fitting has been so successful.

It also paved the way in the UK and Ireland as only the insert needed to be modified to adapt it to UK imperial and Irish Gauge pipe.

This led to the next revolutionary step in joining poly pipe. In 1982 the Polygrip fitting was launched with the insert-based fitting so versatile it could connect poly pipes of different diameters.

From this one brave idea in 1962 a whole range of inventive ideas have flowed ever since. As metric pipe became more popular in the 1990’s Philmac kept pace and in 1995 the Australian Design Award winning 2G metric fitting was launched.

This innovation allowed the range to expand and include sizes up to 110mm making it ideal for use in irrigation and mining applications.

Having the ability to join imperial pipe to the new metric pipe was a game changer for Philmac. This insert style fitting concept quickly evolved to become the iconic terracotta insert rural fitting that is the preferred joiner on farms across Australia.

A short time later in 1997 another Australian Design Award winning fitting was released. The UTC (Universal Transition Coupling) quickly became known as the Swiss Army knife of compression fittings. The UTC fitting can join a wide range of pipe types such as

copper, lead, galvanised iron, PE, PVC, ABS and stainless steel in various size ranges. It’s the go to fitting for plumbers and water authorities when a fast repair of old style pipe is required.

Taking advantage of the expanded use of metric pipe in both agriculture and plumbing, Philmac in 2005 launched the 3G metric fitting with the innovative “Slide and Tighten” technology, making joining metric pipe simple and easy.

Creating simple and reliable solutions for a wide range of applications is what drives everyone at Philmac. You will benefit from Philmac’s decades of technical development and innovation that has produced a range of products that are reliable and easy to use, TA variety of projects are in the pipeline at Philmac, and the Philmac Product Development team are working relentlessly. Our philosophy will always be the advice our founder Mac Phillipps said in the early days of Philmac “There’s always a better way”.

Today’s range of fittings and valves provides reliable easy to use solutions for a variety of applications

47

Farm Management

FIVE COMPELLING REASONS TO WEIGH CATTLE THIS AUTUMN

Monitoring the weight of livestock during the autumn months helps measure performance and informs decisions that will impact herd health and profitability.

As autumn sets in and daylight hours become shorter, now is the time to prepare your livestock for winter to ensure they maintain body weight and optimal condition over the cooler months.

Actively monitoring the weight of individual animals within a herd allows producers to identify good and poor performers and support informed decisions that can have an immediate impact on profitability and animal health.

There are five key reasons why weighing livestock over autumn will bring longterm benefits to your operation.

1. PREPARE STOCK FOR SPRING Knowing your mob’s weights now, as well as target weights for spring, helps with planning an effective feeding regime for the winter period. You can also identify if supplements will be needed to achieve those goals. Start thinking now about how much feed will be available through winter.

2. SET YOUR HEIFERS UP FOR SUCCESS Monitoring a replacement heifer’s average daily gains over autumn and winter means you can ensure she is racking to reach her target weight and will be ready for joining in spring. The benefit of ensuring a heifer is within her optimal weight range prior to joining have been well documented and are shown to influence health and fertility for the remainder of her life. Regular 48

eldersrural.com.au

weighing allows you to make real-time decisions about supplementary feeding requirements that will have long-term effects on animal health, productivity, and profitability.

3. FOCUS ON YOUR TOP PERFORMERS Improve your bottom line by identifying top performers early. Focusing feeding efforts on these individuals to leverage their superior weight gains means you can turn them off quickly to make way for more stock. The remainder of the mob with slower growth planes continue to graze, reducing high-value inputs for your operation and improving potential profitability.

4. MONITOR FOR INTERNAL PARASITES During the autumn and winter period, cattle can be at higher risk of gastrointestinal worms. Weighing your herd regularly helps in identifying ambiguities in individual animals and any downward weight trends that could signal potential health issues, such as worms.

5. MEASURE FOR CARBON EMISSIONS The red meat industry has an ambitious goal to be carbon neutral by 2030. Weight is a critical factor when determining an animal’s efficiency in the production of beef and is an important part of the process of measuring and calculating methane. The more accurate your data, the better decisions you can make to improve your herd’s carbon efficiency.

With no need to muster your herd to yards for weighing, your animals will be less stressed and will conserve valuable energy over the cooler months.

TRU-TEST REMOTE WALK OVER WEIGHING Tru-Test by Datamars Livestock offers a range of weighing solutions, including walk over weighing systems, as well as in-paddock four- and two-foot weighing options, to capture liveweight at the individual animal level, without the need for human intervention or contact.

The data is processed and delivered via cloud technology and used to generate daily online weighing reports that can be accessed from anywhere in the world. These powerful insights help to identify trends and better manage your herd.

With no need to move stock to the yards to collect weights, animals will be less stressed and conserve valuable energy over the cooler months. Importantly, you will have more time to reassign labour and resources to other parts of the business.

Hear from producers Warren and Meg Salter from the Darling Downs, Queensland, on how they use Remote Walk Over Weighing in their beef operation here.

To find out more about Tru-Test in-paddock weighing systems give the team a call on 1800 248 774.

BONUS TOOLBOX

WITH QUALIFYING ORDERS UNTIL 30 APRIL, 2022

For a limited time, receive a BONUS toolbox* when you order any of the following: • • • • •

350 NLIS tags 300 matching sets 750 HDX Fet or TagFaster tags 3000 Non-RFID Fet or Tagfaster 3000 PAZ Pump Action Tags

PLUS A FREE TAGGER

FOR NEW CUSTOMERS**

TO PLACE AN ORDER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR LOCAL ELDERS STORE PROMO CODE: TOOLBOX2022

*Limit of one toolbox per customer. Orders must meet minimum purchase requirements to qualify. Toolbox will be dispatched at time of tag order dispatch. Promotion is while stocks last. Not transferable or redeemable for cash. **Excludes Paz Pump Action Tagger.

Free tagger available to new customers only.

ZTAGS.COM

LUCERNE Planting Guide DEDICATED GLOBAL LUCERNE BREEDING PROGRAM MARKET LEADING PRODUCTS SOLUTION BASED PRODUCT DESIGN

Q31 LUCERNE

SW6330 LUCERNE

L71 LUCERNE

SW9720 LUCERNE

Winter dormant Premium grade hay, chaff and silage High quality option with increased flexibility in cutting times

High pest and disease rating Produces high quality, exceptional yields Recovers rapidly after cutting and grazing High stand persistence

Highly grazing tolerant High pest and disease rating Offers a high quality, flexible option Produces high quality hay

Highly winter active Developed in saline conditions Extended cutting and grazing opportunities in autumn/winter Produces high quality, exceptional yields

www.swseedco.com.au

Your partner in the paddock.

SW0284

Plant with confidence

Seed

Q31 LUCERNE, FOR SUPERIOR CHAFF

Q31 lucerne, from S&W Seed Company, has proved to be a superior option for chaff producer Danny McShane, of Bagdad, north of Hobart, Tasmania.

For 30 years Mr McShane has been producing high-quality chaff for feed stores and the horse market.

“I’ve used a lot of different varieties over the years,” he said.

“Q31 is very different to other lucernes.”

Quality depends on dormancy Mr McShane was drawn to Q31 lucerne because of its dormancy over winter and ability to produce quality hay.

“I don’t use winter active varieties because they are too hard to handle,” he said.

“Q31 is a lot softer than the older lucernes and produces more leaf.”

Q31 works exceptionally well in cool climate regions. As a truly dormant variety it provides good opportunities for weed control, improved persistence, and flexibility in the cutting window.

Production of high-quality hay The initial stands of Q31 sown on the property were challenged by the

weather, but persisted to produce cuts of high-quality hay.

Despite extreme wet weather during the spring and early summer of the 2021/22 season, the variety rose to the challenge by producing a quality cut.

“The first decent cut was just phenomenal. There was a significant difference,” Mr McShane said.

“It’s really important to have it green rather than brown. I deal with a lot of horsey people, and it is all cosmetic. If it looks good, it sells.”

Q31 is made into large round bales and then chaffed into bags.

Flexibility with sowing and grazing Lucerne on the property is normally sown in the spring, however the wet weather this season meant Q31 was not planted until January.

It established well and will have a full season of production, starting in the spring of 2022.

Mr McShane said he expected three to four good cuts of lucerne across the summer and would then use the stand to fatten lambs in the autumn.

“If you get the plant number right at sowing, I expect ten years off the lucerne,” he said.

Q31 - part of the S&W Seed Company high quality range Q31 lucerne is from the S&W Seed Company range. The S&W lucerne portfolio includes dormancy and nondormant varieties with a focus on high quality and superior forage yields.

Developed through a rigorous testing and screening program, the varieties are designed for a wide range of conditions.

Agronomic traits include pest, disease and herbicide resistance to assist growers in maximising their return from the lucerne seed investment.

S&W Seed Company have a global program that is focused on varieties that provide higher yields of superior quality lucerne as well as some new technologies.

Salt tolerance and low lignin traits are two of the technologies being developed through the program.

Interested in Q31 Lucerne for your enterprise?

Contact your local Elders store.

51

Fertiliser

GUARANTEED QUALIT Y FOR BETTER RESULTS

Leading global fertiliser manufacturer, Yara Crop Nutrition has rebranded its water-soluble calcium nitrate YaraLiva CALCINIT into the YaraTera range of quality products.

and more than 50 years’ experience in producing water-soluble forms,” David says.

Yara Crop Nutrition Sales Agronomist, David Coombes, says ‘Tera’ is derived from the Old Norse word ‘Taera’, which means ‘feeding’.

“We are continuously improving our manufacturing processes in response to customer demands, YaraTera CALCINIT formulations are almost 100 times purer than the first calcium nitrate produced

by Yara 100 years ago.

Adding CALCINIT to YaraTera completes the Yara range of fully water-soluble fertilisers for fertigation including NPKs, straights, chelates and liquid fertilisers.

“Likewise, we’ve managed to reduce the level of insolubility from an average of 2,000 to 50 ppm over the past 20 years.”

Specifically manufactured for fertigation, YaraTera CALCINIT provides all the benefits of fast-acting highly available nitrogen, with the improved harvest quality characteristics of calcium.

Unlike some calcium nitrates, it’s not classified as an oxidising agent and is therefore not subject to restrictions in storage, handling and transportation.

“When combined with an efficient irrigation system both nutrients and water can be managed to obtain maximum yield and quality,” David says.

“The balance of calcium and nitrate nitrogen in YaraTera CALCINIT ensures that growth is maximised and that produce quality is not compromised.

“It is widely used on high value crops to ensure stress-free growth and high yielding, highly marketable, top grade produce.”

MIXING YARATERA CALCINIT YaraTera CALCINIT can be mixed with other water-soluble fertilisers, except concentrated stock solutions containing phosphate or sulphate.

It’s quick to dissolve in water without any residues and can be used in all fertigation systems, including drip, sprinklers and centre pivot irrigators.

“Yara has more than 100 years’ experience in producing calcium nitrate 52

eldersrural.com.au

Alternatively, producers can opt to use Yara Liquids N-Cal 15+18 Ca, which is a true liquid calcium nitrate formulation manufactured by Yara in Australia using high quality calcium nitrate manufactured by Yara in Norway.

MONITORING RESPONSIBILITY Yara continuously monitors the quality of calcium nitrates available throughout the world.

A recent analysis of 25 ‘greenhouse grade’ calcium nitrate products sold in Europe, Latin America and Asia found significant deviations in nutritional specification, impurities and product quality.

Conducted using industry standard methodologies, this analysis found 40 per cent (pc) of the tested samples had calcium and/or nitrogen concentrations less than 97pc of label specification; 24pc contained lead, mercury or cadmium above minimum detection levels; and 56pc showed inferior product quality, such as dust, caking or black particles.

“These inconsistencies can directly affect the product’s quality, storage, handling and solubility characteristics – and most importantly, its performance,” David says.

“Inconsistent or sub-optimal nutrient delivery has a direct impact on crop yield and quality, poor product quality can block fertigation systems, while impurities can shut down market access.

“YaraTera CALCINIT and Yara Liquids N-Cal 15+18 Ca – and indeed, all Yara products – have guaranteed specification, so you can be completely confident that what it says on the label is what you’re actually receiving.

“Furthermore, you know exactly where it comes from.

“Many calcium nitrate products are manufactured and sold as commodities, making it very difficult to trace the true origin of the manufacturer.”

THE YARA WAY Yara is one of the world’s leading fertiliser manufacturers.

It markets a comprehensive range of fertilisers, including YaraMila (NPKs), YaraLiva (calcium nitrates), YaraTera (soluble fertilisers), YaraRega (soluble NPKs), Yara Liquids and YaraVita (foliar micronutrients).

These products are supported by Yara’s team of sales agronomists, customer service representatives and technical support staff throughout Australia.

“Our goal is to deliver integrated crop nutrition solutions that genuinely increase the productivity and profitability of our customers,” David says.

For more information on Yara products contact your local Elders branch.

YaraTera

™

Because quality counts YaraTera CALCINIT (15.5% N + 19% Ca) delivers a rich source of fast-acting, plant-available nitrogen and strengthbuilding calcium for fresher, tastier and long lasting fruit. This high quality, 100% watersoluble fertiliser is specially formulated for application through fertigation systems, drip systems, low throw sprinklers, centre pivots and spray units. Contact Yara and find out how our integrated crop nutrition programs can grow your business.

© 2021 Yara YAR22034

1800 684 266

au.sales@yara.com

@yara_australia

yara.com.au

Our high performance perennial ryegrasses offer something for every farm.

MIX CLOVERS AT 20% TO OPTIMISE SOIL NITROGEN, ANIMAL HEALTH AND PASTURE PERFORMANCE.

BASE AR37 TETRAPLOID PERENNIAL RYEGRASS Dairy Australia’s Forage Value Index number 1 performer for 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021

#

PLATFORM AR37 & AR1 DIPLOID PERENNIAL RYEGRASS The resilient diploid

REWARD ENDO5 TETRAPLOID PERENNIAL RYEGRASS The versatile perennial all-rounder

Bred in Australia from drought surviving plants › Excellent late season quality feed and high dry matter production › Increased insect protection from AR37 endophyte

›

High tiller density › Fine-leaved and low aftermath heading providing excellent feed quality › Excellent, year round dry matter production

›

›

Excellent persistence and dry matter production › Endo5 endophyte for broad spectrum pest control › No Lolitrem B (the main toxin that causes ryegrass staggers)

#Platform has been bred, selected and successfully tested as a perennial and will function as a perennial ryegrass. Due to a small number of tip awns, Platform is certified as Lolium boucheanum.

Make it homegrown feed today Contact us today on 1800 619 910 or pggwrightsonseeds.com.au The PGG Wrightson Seeds proprietary product portfolio is available through DLF Seeds.

Seed

ADD VALUE TO PERENNIAL PASTURES WITH NITROGEN FIXED FROM LEGUMES

Legumes have always been a valuable addition to perennial pastures.

Considering nitrogen prices have skyrocketed over the past 12 months, this is true now more than ever.

The current high nitrogen (N) costs serve as an important reminder of why proprietary legumes are beneficial to an operation by fixing free slow-release nitrogen for perennial grasses.

Legumes fix atmospheric nitrogen into usable nitrogen through a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia and root nodules. For every 1,000kgDM/ha above ground legume growth approximately 20-30kg/ha of free atmospheric nitrogen can be fixed. In other words, legumes can potentially reduce the synthetic N fertiliser requirements of pastures, whilst increasing overall quality as legumes are naturally high in crude protein (CP) and metabolisable energy (ME).

On average a proprietary white clover within a perennial ryegrass pasture will grow around 4,000kgDM/ha/year, that’s 80kg N/ha/year of free nitrogen fixed from the atmosphere. With the current cost of urea at around $1,100/t (or more) a unit of N costing approximately $2.39/kg; 80kgN/ha fixed by a white clover is worth approximately $191/ha/ year to the farmer, excluding the extra pasture growth and increased animal performance from increased pasture quality when including legumes.

To optimise performance of perennial legumes and maximise persistence within a perennial pasture sward: > use the PGG Wrightson Seeds Programmed Approach® to pasture renewal for an easy to follow, 10 step process on pasture renewal and maximising the persistence of a perennial pasture with legumes (Step 8 and 9 of the

Programmed Approach™).

> use high sowing rates at establishment (4 – 6kg/ha white clover) or 20% of the pasture mix. > use legume friendly herbicides during establishment. > maintain high soil fertility especially phosphorous, potassium, sulphur and molybdenum and be mindful of soil pH. > use proven proprietary clovers bred within a pasture sward. > use the appropriate legume species for rainfall and soil type.

So, who needs free nitrogen? Pair high performing perennial ryegrass varieties such as Base AR37, Reward Endo5, Platform AR37/AR1 or summer active tall fescues such as Quantum II MaxP® or the new Quantica MaxP with proprietary white and red clovers and maximise pasture mixes fixing up to 80kgN/ha/ year plus.

Proprietary clovers such as Legacy large leaf white clover, Quartz medium leaf white clover, Hilltop small-medium leaf white clover and the new generation red clover, Amigain, have been bred in a pasture sward offering the following benefits and more.

Legacy large leaf white clover: A high performing large leaf clover offering greater persistence, high yields and improved year-round production, resulting in more nitrogen being generated to drive pasture performance.

Quartz medium leaf white clover: A high yielding, persistent medium leaf white clover with high stolon density and broad adaptability across various environments and farm systems.

Hilltop small-medium leaf white clover: Bred to cope with more challenging

environments from variable soil fertility to variable moisture availability, Hilltop is a very robust and persistent smallmedium leaf white clover.

NEW Amigain red clover: As the latest generation red clover bred for increased persistence and growth in permanent or short term, high performance pastures, Amigain will perform in both pasture mixes and pure swards. As a specialist multi-year crop, Amigain provides high quality feed and produces lower formononetin (oestrogen) levels compared to older varieties.

Red and white clovers available from DLF Seeds are bred and selected from within a high performing perennial ryegrass sward whereas, traditional clover selection was completed under cut and carry trials for two years.

Amigain, Legacy, Quartz and Hilltop clovers were evaluated for growth and persistence under cattle grazing over multiple years. Through these trials it was evident that the increased stolon density fibrous root systems and their ability to compete and persist in the modern pasture sward make them the ideal companion to a perennial pasture.

Ultimately, if established and managed well, sowing legumes as part of a pasture mix may increase the overall pasture quality, reduce fertilizer (N) requirements, improve stock performance and provide a higher return on investment.

For more information on high performing perennial pastures, contact DLF Seeds on 1800 619 910.

PGG Wrightson Seeds recently combined with Stephen Pasture Seeds and AusWest Seeds and are now called DLF Seeds. The PGG Wrightson Seeds proprietary product portfolio is available through DLF Seeds.

55

Ag Tech

BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY – MINIMISING THE RISK OF MYCOTOXINS

There is no silver bullet to tackle the threat of mycotoxins. To reduce the risk to both animal health and business profitability, a targeted approach is needed, consisting of different tools to evaluate the mycotoxin risk.

With high moisture levels present following a successful harvest season, large amounts of stored grain kept in high moisture environments have a risk of producing moulds, which in turn significantly increases the risk of mycotoxin related problems when fed to livestock.

While it is advisable not to feed animals mycotoxin affected grains, the issue is not often visible and therefore risk mitigation through a targeted approach is required.

EFFECTS OF MYCOTOXINS ON LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION Mycotoxins are produced as a survival mechanism when moulds are stressed by extreme weather conditions and/or in competition for a feed source with other microbes. Mycotoxins are commonly found on grains, silages, hay, and other by-products used as stock feed. If fed these contaminated feeds, your stock can suffer from digestive disorders, lower feed intake, immune challenges, and increased susceptibility to disease.

Brooke said they have developed a Mycotoxin Management toolbox to combat the threat of these mycotoxins.

“It focuses on the preservation of feed and raw materials, as well as helping to monitor contamination levels to protect your livestock,” said Ms Brooke.

TESTING PROGRAMS It is advisable to routinely conduct mycotoxin tests to evaluate feed. Alltech Lienert’s RapiRead™ tool determines the level of the three mycotoxins Afla, DON and Zea. A more in-depth evaluation can be undertaken using Alltech’s 37+ analysis, which tests for more than 50 mycotoxins.

These tests provide insight into the presence and concentrations of mycotoxins. It also reports on symptoms, expected loss of production and mitigation strategies.

Alltech 56

Lienert

nutritionist

eldersrural.com.au

Gabby

Mycosorb A+ is a second-generation product from Alltech that tackles mycotoxin challenges as a whole, rather than dealing with individual mycotoxins. Mycosorb A+ has multiple functional carbohydrates, from both yeast cell wall and algae origin, which bind a wide range of mycotoxins, reducing the overall concentration of these toxins. Each gram of yeast cell wall in Mycosorb A+ provides roughly 20m² of surface area for binding. By removing the mycotoxin from the gastrointestinal tract, Mycosorb A+ prevents it from being transferred into the body of the animal.

PREVENTION IS KEY FOR OPTIMUM HEALTH While individual mycotoxins present a threat, the synergistic and/or additive effects of multiple occurring mycotoxins and their interactions become critical to the health of your livestock.

“Prevention of such a mycotoxin challenge is key for the optimum health of your livestock and the longterm profitability of your operation” concludes Ms Brooke.

The three most common mycotoxins in livestock production are Aflatoxin (Afla), Zearalenone (Zea) and Deoxynivalenol (DON). Aflatoxins are the most common mycotoxin found in Australia.

It is difficult to visually identify dangerous levels of mycotoxins in stock feeds, as contamination is often limited to sections of the stored feed stuff. Even the absence of visible mould does not exclude the presence of mycotoxins, as the chemical compound of the toxin persists in the feed even if the mould dies off.

ingredients (vitamins, medications) and has a proven track record.

FIGURE 1: ALLTECH RAPIREAD CAN BE USED TO TEST FOR THE 3 MOST COMMON MYCOTOXINS DON, AFLATOXIN AND ZEARALENONE.

MIXED FEED Producers can also protect animals by including a mycotoxin binder. A binder consists of absorbent ingredients and should ensure broad-spectrum efficacy. It’s wise to select a binder that has no negative interactions with diet

Alltech Lienert offers tailor-made mycotoxin management programs to assist you with prevention and mitigation of mycotoxin challenges.

Contact your local Alltech Lienert nutritionist or representative or call 1800 649 231 for more information on how we can help ease your mycotoxin worries.

Request an Alltech RAPTOR test here: https://go.alltech.com/alltech-rapiread

Hidden problem.

Clear solution.

Identify a mycotoxin threat in minutes Time is key to ensuring effective mycotoxin management. Alltech® RAPIREAD™ connects modern testing devices with the latest mobile technology, allowing you to test, identify and analyse the results in just minutes.

Highlighting real-time mycotoxin contamination, Alltech® RAPIREAD™ provides detailed results and actionable insights - all helping to maintain production efficiency, profitability and animal health.

Book your test today https://go.alltech.com/alltech-rapiread

Alltechlienert.com.au

Alltech Lienert

@Alltech

FORAGE OATS

EPG Seeds Forage Oats Rewards Promotion

It’s where success starts.

This season you’ll rewarded in more ways than one when you choose EPG Seeds forage oats. To take advantage of this offer, simply purchase in one transaction a minimum of two tonne of Graza 53, Graza 85 or Boss forage oats. But the good news doesn’t stop there as the more you purchase, the more you’ll be rewarded:

PURCHASE 2 TONNE OR MORE

PURCHASE 6 TONNE OR MORE

PURCHASE 4 TONNE OR MORE

PURCHASE 7 TONNE OR MORE

A N D R E C E I V E $ 5 0 E F T P O S G I F T CA R D

AND RECEIVE $100 EFTPOS GIFT CARD

AND RECEIVE $150 EFTPOS GIFT CARD

A N D R E C E I V E $ 2 0 0 E F T P O S G I F T CA R D

To claim your gift card, all you need to do is upload your receipt or proof of purchase to www.epgseeds.com.au/rewards by 27 May 2022.

AVAILABLE NATIONALLY FROM ALL RURAL SUPPLIERS.

To learn more visit https://epgseeds.com.au/sourcing-seed/find-stockist/ For full terms and conditions visit www.epgseeds.com.au/rewards Promotion period 14/02/2022 - 30/04/2022. Available while stocks last. Eligible products Graza 85, Graza 53, Boss forage oats. Not available on split orders Purchases must be in one transaction. Redemption period 14/02/2022 – 27/05/2022. Proof of purchase receipt/tax invoice required. Promoter Elders Rural Services Australia ABN 72 004 045 121 (Elders), Level 10, 80 Grenfell Street, Adelaide, SA 5000.

Seed

Chris Willis, EPG Seeds, Connor Steel, Agronomist with Elders Pakenham, and Matt Brown, Farm Manager at Wiltara Farms, Clyde, checked the progress of the EG Titanium wheat crop in November 2021, two months before harvest.

EG TITANIUM WHEAT PROVING PERFORMANCE

One of Australia’s first crops of EG Titanium wheat from EPG Seeds has yielded an impressive 5.5 t/ha, despite a wet finish to the season and delays at harvest.

Matthew Brown, who manages Wiltara Farms at Clyde in south Gippsland, grew the 60 hectare crop of EG Titanium last season, as an opportunity crop in a paddock which would normally run Hereford and Black Angus cattle as part of the farm’s backgrounding operation.

After selling most of the grain to Graincorp in Geelong, he is planning to sow another crop of EG Titanium wheat this season, aiming to produce lucrative milling grade wheat worth more than $400/tonne.

For the past 15 years, Mr Brown has managed Wiltara Farms on 350 hectares at Clyde, just 50 kilometres east of Melbourne.

He takes six to seven month old weaners from Wiltara’s sister property at Uarbry in central New South Wales to

the more favourable conditions at Clyde and grows them out to 400 to 450 kgs for sale into feedlots for finishing.

well in extensive field trials in central and southern cropping zones over the previous seven years.

“After growing forage sorghum over summer 2020, this block was intended for more weaners, but with a change of plans and the season shaping up well for winter, I contacted Connor Steel, our agronomist at Elders Pakenham to discuss our cropping options,’’ Mr Brown said.

“Connor and I worked together to develop the cropping program from preplant to harvesting, aiming to maximise yield potential,” Mr Brown said.

“Connor recommended Titanium wheat, a new full season variety from EPG Seeds with good early vigour and excellent disease resistance for southern growing regions, and so with plenty of seed available, we decided to give Titanium a go.”

EG Titanium wheat was released in 2021 by EPG Seeds, after performing

“This covered all the essentials including soil testing and determining sowing rates, weed and disease management, and nutrition to maximise yield potential in what turned out to be an above average season where we received 440 mm of growing season rain.”

Preparations began in February, when Mr Brown sprayed out the residue of the summer sorghum crop with Crucial, the new 600 g/L glyphosate formulation 59

Seed

Connor Steel, Agronomist with Elders Pakenham, and Matt Brown, Farm Manager at Wiltara Farms, Clyde, checked the progress of the EG Titanium wheat crop in November 2021.

from Nufarm, before running the speed discs over the paddocks to incorporate the trash.

Pre-emergence herbicide was applied in early May, before he sowed half the area to EG Titanium at 80 kg/ha and the other half at 120 kg/ha, all with 120 kg/ ha of DAP. “I sowed the crop with a Duncan drill at a narrow five inch spacing and applied liquid fertiliser to mitigate any stress on the young plants and give them a good start,” Mr Brown said.

“The program continued with a broadleaf herbicide at four-leaf stage to control marshmallow and other weeds, as well as two doses of urea and another two liquid fertiliser applications over the growing season.

“I applied the first of the fungicide sprays at head emergence but ended up making two more fungicide applications because of the high prevalence of disease in the moist and humid growing conditions.”

All up, the crop looked good and grew well, receiving 440 mm of rain over the growing season.

60

eldersrural.com.au

The only downside was the wet finish which caused some damage and delayed harvest from December until January.

Mr Brown said that as the farm is only a few kilometres north of Westernport Bay, growing conditions are routinely moist and windy, so lodging is a common problem.

“While it was disappointing to have a wet finish, Connor and I were pleased with the results overall and it was good to have him close by to monitor the crop through the growing season,” Mr Brown said.

“We have learnt a lot, so we’ll fine-tune our approach this season when I plant my second crop of Titanium.”

Connor Steel at Elders Pakenham congratulated Matthew Brown on growing the 5.5 t/ha crop under what turned out to be a challenging finish to the season.

“After such favourable growing conditions, a wet finish is always disappointing, but Matt’s attention to detail throughout the season made a big difference at harvest,” Mr Steel said.

“Staying on top of weeds, nutrition and diseases like stem rust in wet conditions like last year is no easy task, so it was good to see Matt doing all the right things and see the Titanium respond so well in this first commercial crop in southern Victoria.

Col Smith from EPG Seeds described EG Titanium as a good ‘all rounder’, a high yielding, full season variety with excellent resistance to stripe rust and moderate resistance to stem rust and other fungal diseases.

“After six years of trials and field testing, EG Titanium has proven to be adaptable, suitable for early planting and variable conditions, as Matt’s experience has shown,” Mr Smith said.

“It has consistently delivered in the top 3 or 4 per cent of all the wheat varieties tested by EPG Seeds each year, producing good straw strength and achieving milling quality.

“We believe EG Titanium wheat has a big future in higher rainfall zones in central and southern growing regions including Tasmania.”

WHEN TIME IS MONEY, HAMMER® IS WORTH ITS WEIGHT IN GOLD.

Hammer® 400EC Herbicide has proven to be effective time and time again on Marshmallow and other tough broadleaf weeds in broadacre.

Hammer®, it gets the job done! fmccrop.com.au FMC and Hammer are trademarks of FMC Corporation or an affiliate. ©2021 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved 11/21.

STAY ONE STEP AHEAD OF ANNUAL RYEGRASS Take steps for next season and add Luximax to your pre-emergence program ✓ The first new MoA in a generation ✓ Very high levels of pre-emergent annual ryegrass control in wheat* ✓ Control of ARG populations with known resistance to other modes of action GROUP

30

HERBICIDE

Find out more by scanning this code or contact your local BASF representative on 1800 558 399.

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. © Copyright BASF 2022 ® Registered trademark of BASF. 211175 01.2022

Crop Protection

THE BEST CHOICE IN SEED TREATMENTS IS CHANGING Every farmer knows you can’t afford to keep repeating yourself. Like top sporting teams, cropping programs need constant renewal to maintain the same level of success.

Chemical rotations need regular updating to avoid over-reliance on ‘old stagers’ and keep proven performers in the mix by supplementing them with newer options.

If you’re in danger of repeating too much the way you treat cereal and canola seed, BASF has some excellent solutions.

Systiva® seed treatment is so well known as the first-choice fungicide in barley, that its value as a rotational option to control Septoria tritici blotch (STB) in wheat is easily overlooked.

Over the last few seasons, Septoria tritici blotch has been getting more widespread and more severe in higher rainfall areas said BASF’s portfolio manager for seed treatments Shannon Altomare.

“Wheat growers who haven’t traditionally bothered with a seed dressing for STB should reconsider the potential damage they’re risking.” said Ms Altomare.

“Some growers who use seed dressings in wheat have traditionally depended on triazoles, which have done a great job of suppression over the years. But now that there are identified strains of disease around that are resistant to both Group 3 and Group 11 fungicides, switching to Systiva will help take the pressure off the older chemistry with no loss of efficacy.

Wheat growers who haven’t traditionally bothered with a seed dressing for STB should reconsider the potential damage they’re risking Shannon Altomare That will protect the young crop against STB, rhizoctonia and smut; promote more vigorous establishment, and help extend the useful life of the older products,” she said.

As barley growers on the Yorke Peninsula have shown over the last two seasons, switching crop varieties can also help manage resistance issues.

For some time, both forms of net blotch in the region have been showing resistance to DMI chemistry. That wasn’t a huge issue, because Systiva had been the growers’ favourite fungicide since it was launched, and barley treated with Systiva had a higher level of longer lasting protection against the two diseases that any foliar fungicide could provide. The appearance of SDHI-resistant net form net blotch in Spartacus barley crops 2019 however, caused some alarm.

A little fine-tuning of local programs soon got things back on track. In the two years since, there has been plenty of high-yielding, healthy barley grown across the Peninsula, much of it treated with Systiva. The key changes have been simply growing less susceptible varieties and ensuring that the same crops and chemistry aren’t chosen for the same paddock year after year.

It’s all about having – and using – a range of options.

For canola growers targeting blackleg, ILeVO® has already been widely adopted to provide an alternative mode of action and a higher level of protection than older treatments.

“Trials have shown that ILeVO is very effective, with proven yield benefits,” Ms Altomare said, “and a high proportion of this year’s canola crops will once again be protected by it.”

As in barley, variety selection is also important. Blackleg is so prevalent and damaging that no fungicide will eliminate all risk. But the right combination of variety and treatment can keep profits healthy.

“Extensive trials have confirmed that ILeVO has no negative impact on germination rates or hypocotyl length.

It will help boost yield, not limit it, so there’s no trade-off involved. Growers can choose high-yielding varieties with the appropriate blackleg rating and know ILeVO will help maximise their return on that investment.”

Why not talk to your local Elders store about updating your seed treatment program to include extra options aimed at improving disease control and easing the pressure on older chemistry?

63

Crop Protection

NUFARM’S TERRAD’OR OFFERS EFFECTIVE KNOCKDOWN

In the wheatbelt of Western Australia broadacre farmers have been fighting an ongoing battle with clover.

It had become a real challenge in the pre-sowing knockdown period.

The clover was fully established, and farmers were struggling to get complete control with other Group G spikes.

“The results were always a bit disappointing,” explained Benita Moir, agronomist at Elders Pingelly/Williams.

“We really needed something that wasn’t an SU to do the job reliably the first time, as farmers were reluctant to put SU herbicides through the boom when they were doing canola and lupin spraying at the same time.”

Ms Moir had heard of Terrad’or by Nufarm and was keen to try it.

“We mixed Terrad’or with Roundup and the results were outstanding.” She said.

64

eldersrural.com.au

“It completely took out the clover and it did a fantastic job on some of the other weeds we’d been struggling to pull down as well, like doublegees, capeweed and hard-to-kill ryegrass.”

The burndown time was very quick and it was very thorough – we were really impressed with the results even after the first few days.

Growers are typically prepared to pay for premium products – provided they do the job.

Ms Moir said Terrad’or came in at the same price or even cheaper than a lot of the competition and gave the results you’d expect from a top-shelf Group G spike.

The burndown time was very quick and it was very thorough – we were really impressed with the results even after the first few days.

Benita Moir

Based on our experience, it’s some of the best value for money on the market.

“We use dozens of different chemicals every year and Terrad’or is certainly an exciting new product. For control of broadleaf weeds and particularly clover, it’s going to be hard to beat.”

For more information or to order contact your local Elders branch. To learn more about how an Elders Agronomist can help you, visit eldersrural.com.au

AUSTRALIA’S MOST RELIABLE, COMPATIBLE AND WIDELY REGISTERED HERBICIDE.

As Australian as you. As reliable as it is compatible. It’s the local knockdown solution with unrivalled performance and registrations.

Get the most efficient gram for gram knockdown formulation, that’s as Australian as you. From it’s consistent fully loaded triple salt, triple surfactant, 600 load, through to its outstanding compatibility, this start of season one pass solution, is tailor-made for Australian conditions. Together with local Nufarm support, fast brownout of the toughest weeds every time, is just a spray away. © 2021 Nufarm Australia Ltd. All trade marks (®, TM) are owned by Nufarm or used under license, or are owned by third parties and used only to describe compatibility with those related products.

nufarm.com.au/crucial

For more information, contact your local Nufarm Business Development Manager

N G I S THE W E N F O E C N E D I F N CO IDUAL S E R H T I ASON W E S E H T ROL! T T N O STAR C D E AF WE BROADLE

✓ Up to 12 weeks’ residual control of broadleaf weeds, guaranteed! ✓ Bonus activity on annual ryegrass ✓ Rapid pre-sowing knockdown of broadleaf weeds ✓ Helps to delay and may simplify the post-emergent program

Find out more by scanning this code or contact your local BASF representative on 1800 558 399.

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. © Copyright BASF 2022 ® Registered trademark of BASF. 211175 01.2022

Crop Protection

NEW ADDITIONS TO PRE-EM HERBICIDE CHOICES IMPROVE OVERALL CONTROL

The almost universal use of very effective pre-emergent herbicides has given cereal cropping a huge boost over the last decade.

Until last year however, the focus was exclusively on grass weeds and primarily on farming’s number one weed enemy: annual ryegrass (ARG).

The 2021 season gave Elders clients their first chance to try Voraxor®, a new broadleaf weed herbicide that has really expanded the weed coverage for pre-emergent residual control and even provides some added help with ARG. Voraxor can fill some important gaps in pre-plant and pre-emergent weed control programs.

Voraxor’s main role is delivering robust pre-emergent residual control of key broadleaf weeds in cereals for up to 12 weeks, following incorporation by sowing with knifepoints and press wheels.

When applied in the pre-em window, Voraxor will also control young broadleaf weeds that have already emerged. If your pre-em tank-mix

includes glyphosate or paraquat, Voraxor will complement them to knock down glyphosate-resistant ARG. If you’re using Voraxor on light-textured soils, its registration for residual suppression of ARG can also enhance the ryegrass control you’ll get from any of the specialist grass weed pre-ems.

“Most growers and agronomists love a tank-mix,” said BASF broadacre crop protection portfolio manager Roger States.

“They instantly saw Voraxor’s potential to complement the products they were already using. A lot of people mixed it with the A-grade grass weed products like Luximax® and Sakura* to add a few more per cent to already excellent ryegrass control – with the benefit of the first effective pre-emergent offering meaningful residual and excellent crop safety in over 25 years.”

On top of all that, Voraxor will help ease reliance and resistance pressure on post-emergent broadleaf herbicides.

“Voraxor has the only herbicidal mode of action that is still fully effective

throughout all our cropping zones,” Roger explained.

“While resistance to some of the other modes of action remains limited to particular weeds in specific areas, growers have, in recent years, seen how quickly it can spread and increase.

The only way of slowing that process is by taking a truly integrated approach to weed management. And one of the classic mistakes people make is to keep new chemistry in reserve until the situation is critical.

“Voraxor can solve several specific weed control problems for growers as well as contributing to your overall resistance management strategies.”

Voraxor can solve several specific weed control problems for growers as well as contributing to your overall resistance management strategies.

Roger States

67

Crop Protection

NEW PULSE HERBICIDE IN FIELD OF ITS OWN

Lupins Annual ryegrass – untreated, 36 DAA. Walkaway trial site, WA 2021

The opportunity for winter grain growers to control problem grass weeds and mitigate herbicide resistance in the pulse phase of cropping programs, as well as increase pulse returns, has been given a boost.

ADAMA Australia has announced the introduction of a pre-emergent herbicide with a new mode of action (Group E/ HRAC Group 23) for 2022. Ultro® 900 WG controls annual ryegrass as well as barley grass and brome grass in pulse crops, the latter of which have become more difficult to control in various areas due to the limited pre-emergent herbicide options available against these grass weeds.

The new herbicide is registered for use with faba beans, lentils, field peas, chickpeas, lupins, vetch and broad beans, and can also be used in winter fallow.

ADAMA Australia Portfolio Manager Herbicides, Rob Walker, said pulse crops were an important component of cropping rotations.

“Pulses not only offer a vital disease break, but, with advances in plant 68

eldersrural.com.au

Lupins Annual ryegrass - Ultro @ 1.7 kg/ha, 36 DAA. Walkaway trial site, WA 2021

breeding, agronomy and weed control strategies, they have also proven to be a profitable component of rotations,” Rob said.

“Weed control in pulses has historically been a challenge due to the poor crop competition and relatively few registered herbicide options available to growers and advisers.’

“As a Group E/Group 23 mode of action pre-emergent herbicide, Ultro introduces an alternative herbicide tool for annual grass weed control, helping reduce the pressure on commonlyused options in grain legumes, such as trifluralin and propyzamide.’’

Ultro has been trialled throughout Australia’s winter cropping regions since 2013.

“Trials have been conducted in a wide range of soil moisture and rainfall situations across a range of soil textures and we have been extremely happy with the results and versatility of Ultro,’’ said ADAMA Australia Market Development Manager South Australia, Ashley Pilkington.

“Soil moisture is critical to activating preemergent herbicides and commencing weed control. Ultro requires less rainfall and soil moisture to activate than some industry standards, which is why we have seen strong results when conditions can be less-than-ideal at planting.’’

“In Western Australia, annual ryegrass is a primary target, however Ultro will also be utilised to target brome and barley grass, with these weeds also becoming more problematic throughout our winter legume rotations,’’ said ADAMA Australia market development manager Western Australia Bevan Addison.

“The use of Group B/HRAC Group 2 via imidazolinone-tolerant cereal crops or traditional Group A/HRAC Group 1 type chemistry in the legume phase is putting a lot of selection pressure on these weeds. The arrival of alternative Group E/Group 23 chemistry will be very beneficial.”

For further information on the new Ultro pre-emergent herbicide, growers and advisers can contact their local Elders branch.

Ultro

®

In a field of its own.

New Ultro herbicide from ADAMA introduces a new class of chemistry (Group 23) for the pre-emergent control of annual grass weeds in winter pulse crops.

Scan here for more information

• Controls annual ryegrass, barley grass and brome grass • Registered in broad beans, chickpeas, faba beans, field peas, lentils, lupins, vetch and winter fallow • Important tool for herbicide resistance management • Incorporate by sowing or via rainfall within seven days

HERBICIDE ®Registered trademark of an ADAMA Agricultural Solutions Company. ADA21707

SET UP FOR SUCCESS WITH SYSTIVA NOW Dressing barley seed with Systiva is still the smartest single use of SDHI chemistry to control both forms of net blotch, as well as other key diseases, and set up strong yields. But it must be part of a robust rotation.

Scan to see the simple steps we recommend to ensure success in your 2022 barley crop, or call 1800 558 399 to find out more.

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. © Copyright BASF 2022 ® Registered trademark of BASF. 211175 01.2022

Crop Protection

LOCALLY PRODUCED NITROGEN YOU CAN BANK ON

With nitrogen fertilisers prices high and demand impacting supply, there’s another, natural option - make your own!

That’s what soil inoculants can do, making them an obvious choice for paddocks being sown with grain legumes in this phase of your crop rotation.

Both seed-applied (peat) and soilapplied in-furrow (granule) inoculants will boost the yield from chickpeas,

faba beans, field peas, lentils, or lupins. Even better, they’ll leave a bank of residual nitrogen in the soil to feed following crops. The Australian Inoculants Research Group (AIRG) has previously estimated that using inoculants saves farms across the country about $4 billion every year. That figure will go much higher in the current market.

That’s a mighty good return on a surprisingly small investment,

especially if you also save on labour by applying a granular inoculant through the seeder at sowing.

Of course, all farmers here and overseas face the same potential disruption to urea supplies. Should that cause an enormous spike in demand for inoculants, it may have a knock-on effect on inoculant supplies here too.

BASF is one manufacturer that doesn’t have to worry about international supply chains to deliver inoculants. Production 71

Fencing

In 2021 forecasts were up, so we scaled up production and started processing orders early. There’s been another step up for this season because demand is so high.

Kathleen Johns is already being scaled up and the BASF team will be doing everything they can to help meet that demand.

Two years ago, the company completed a $1.6 million upgrade of their BioTech Solutions facility at Somersby on the New South Wales Central Coast, where the iconic Nodulaid® brand has been produced for decades.

BASF also make Nodulator®, a marketleading granular inoculant. Following the expansion of its production capacity, both Nodulaid and Nodulator are now entirely produced at Somersby.

Now Elders’ customers all over Australia can be confident they are not competing with international customers for priority.

“We only started granular production in

January 2020 and were able to meet the whole of that year’s demand in the first quarter,” says Somersby site manager Kathleen Johns.

“In 2021 forecasts were up, so we scaled up production and started processing orders early. There’s been another step up for this season because demand is so high. We’ll be supplying record quantities and – unless there’s a very big last-minute rush – expect to fill every order in plenty of time for sowing.”

The switch to local manufacture made Nodulator the first and only granular inoculant on the market that offers both the extra convenience and accuracy of granules and the added quality assurance of an AIRG Green Tick, showing that it has been independently

RURAL PRODUCTS PRE-PAYMENT PROGRAM • Pre-pay for Farm Supplies and earn a 4.2% p.a. reward to use on eligible purchases • Pre-pay before 30 June to claim a tax deduction in that financial year • No fees to establish or use your Pre-pay account Contact your local Elders branch to find out more.

Elders is not authorised under the Banking Act and is not supervised by APRA. The investment will not be covered by the depositor protection provisions in section 13A of the Banking Act. The investment will not be covered by the financial claims scheme established under Division 2AA of the Banking Act. Exclusions apply. For full terms and conditions, contact your local Elders branch. You should obtain tax advice before claiming a tax deduction.

72

eldersrural.com.au

tested and approved for Australian conditions.

use

in

For most growers who have always used peat-based inoculants, the Nodulaid® range remains the original and the best.

It’s been around since 1953 – much longer than any of the alternatives – and the processes BASF uses to manufacture it and test its levels of active rhizobia have been regularly updated to ensure it remains the pacesetter.

“We’re proud of the heritage of this Somersby plant and the big investment BASF have made in local production,” says Ms Johns “and we hope Elders customers will continue to choose them because they know they can rely both on their quality and ready availability.”

The secret to good spraying is to keep it to yourself.

Good spray drift reduction makes good neighbours!

On Coarse DRA

That’s where On Coarse DRA (Drift Reducing Adjuvant) comes into the picture.

On Coarse DRA is a tank mix partner for fallow herbicides that improves their performance by greatly reducing spray drift risk, even when already using a very coarse spray set-up.

There is no better way to keep your neighbour relationships On Coarse!

Visit www.fmccrop.com.au for more information FMC is a registered trademark of FMC Corporation or its affiliates. © 2021 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved 01/21. On Coarse is a registered trademark of ATaMS Pty Ltd.

FMC Australasia Phone: 1800 066 355 www.fmccrop.com.au

N-SURE - THE STRONG MULTI-PURPOSE RURAL GATE! ®

• Made from 25NB pipe with a wall thickness of 2mm for added strength.

• Graduated mesh spacing delivers closer horizontal wires in the lower part of the gate to keep smaller animals in or out.

• Hot dipped galvanised both inside and out for added corrosion protection.

• Top and bottom 3mm steel gussets adds vertical load carrying capacity & reduces gate sag.

• Welded collar at hinge end improves gate fitting compatibility.

SCAN HERE TO VIEW N-SURE GATES ON OUR WEBSITE! W: www.cycloneproducts.com.au P: 1800 199 450

Fencing

IN THE MARKET FOR NEW GATES? CYCLONE N-SURE HAVE AN IMPRESSIVE LIST OF FEATURES

With a successful harvest behind us, many growers are using extra capital to reinvest in upgrading their fencing and gates.

The N-Sure gate is no newcomer to the Cyclone range and its popularity as an all-round gate for most farm applications continues to rise.

Over its lifetime the gate has gone through several changes, adding new features that help you get the most out of your gates.

Andrew Dickinson, National Sales Manager for Cyclone, said the patented design of the N-Sure gate makes it a unique and a strong multi-purpose gate.

“The top and bottom gussets are distinctive to Cyclone, and only found on N-Sure gates.” He added.

The N-Sure gate is constructed of 25NB pipe – which is both galvanised inside and outside the pipe, delivering class leading gate frame corrosion protection.

Cyclone N-Sure gates have a welded mesh insert with graduated spacing.

This means it has increased density

of strands in the lower part of the gate to keep smaller animals in or out. The strands increase to a maximum of 100mm at the top of the gate, delivering security where it is needed, while also saving material costs.

The distinctive plate steel gussets add vertical load carrying capacity at the free-swinging end of the gate, so it is less likely to sag over time, which can happen with other gate suppliers.

The N-Sure also has a wide range of widths and heights to suit almost any application – from 8 feet (2.37m) to 20 feet (6.07m) wide and 1.17metre, 1.5m or 1.8m heights.

For more information on Cyclone N-Sure gates, gate fittings or any other gate products in the range, visit cycloneproducts.com.au or call Cyclone customer service 1800 199 450.

75

Seed

MANTA ITALIAN RYEGRASS IS READY TO GROW

Manta is the latest diploid Italian ryegrass from Agricom, developed to give Australian farmers very strong growth and high yields in its first year. DLF Seeds Product Development Manager and Seed Production Agronomist introduce the benefits and key features and initial of the new product, Manta Italian ryegrass.

Thanks to new genetics, in 2022 Manta Italian ryegrass is available to give farmers a step up in pasture production.

Hamish Best, Product Development Manager for DLF Seeds, said Manta would impress farmers with its explosive establishment, superior spring growth and good late season quality.

“Manta is the one to ask for if you want to plant with confidence this autumn and get feed growing quickly,” he said.

“It is one of the fastest establishing ryegrass varieties I’ve seen and its regrowth from grazing is just as good.”

Manta is the latest diploid Italian ryegrass from Agricom, with a track record for high quality Italian ryegrass varieties, including Knight and Crusader.

Mr Best said Manta was developed to give Australian farmers very strong growth and high yields in its first year.

“That’s certainly what we’re seeing in our trials in New South Wales and Victoria and at our seed production sites in Tasmania,” he said.

76

eldersrural.com.au

Manta yielded 14 to 18 tonnes of dry matter per hectare in sites across Australia in 2020 and is on track to record similar yields this year.

In Tasmania, Marty Toohey, Seed Production Agronomist for DLF Seeds, saw Manta’s explosive growth at three properties contracted to produce seed for 2022.

“Manta is certainly very quick to establish and grows well through winter, but it really took off in mid spring,” he said.

“I’ve seen it go from being grazed to 25mm in mid to late October to being 45cm high three weeks later.”

One of his contract growers from the Cressy district, Tim Scott-Young, said Manta provided a lot of grazing for his family’s sheep stud and mixed cropping operation.

They sowed 35 hectares and were happy with its establishment.

The Manta paddock was initially stocked with 340 Coopworth ewes for lambing in July and August, but by lamb marking at

the start of September this was nearly tripled to 900 ewes plus all their lambs just to keep the growth under control.

“Manta is leaps and bounds ahead of Knight,” said Mr Scott-Young. “The speed of its growth coming out of winter is amazing.”

Although it has a +15 flowering date, Mr Best said Manta returned to vegetative production straight after its reproductive phase, making it an exceedingly long season Italian ryegrass.

He said Manta was ideal for dairy farms, hay and silage production, and sheep or beef operations where farmers were looking to generate one big year of growth.

For more information or to order Manta diploid Italian ryegrass while stocks last, contact your local Elders branch or DLF Seeds on 1800 619 910.

Agricom researches and develops a wide range of proprietary pasture and forage crop seeds for the agricultural industry.

Agricom invests in the research and development of forage options and in the advancement of endophyte technology to increase the profits returned back to farmers.

We understand that there are many cultivar options currently available, so we were the first to initiate grazing system trials.

These identify the critical link between using a product and using the right management systems to achieve the greatest return per hectare.

For more information, contact your local Elders branch or contact DLF Seeds on 1800 619 910. dlfseeds.com.au

1300 752 776

PLASSON Australia Pty Ltd Sydney: PO BOX 6163, Alexandria NSW 2015 Brisbane: 49 Distribution Street, Larapinta QLD 4110 P: 1300 752 776 - F: 1300 248 027 - sales@plasson.com.au

Water Management

INNOVATIVE ENGINEERING: THE NEXT BEST THING TO RAIN

With over 40 years of installed history in the harshest of Australian conditions, the Plasson range of Rural Compression Fittings are the toughest, most reliable and easiest to install of all poly pipe fittings available.

Farming in 2022 shows just what hard yakka, ingenuity and innovation can achieve. In 1963, the Universal Harvester A31 Unibeam seeder was the talk of Field Days. It scored the “Implement of Merit” Award for revolutionizing planting. Roll forward to 2022 and seed drones are the latest gadget able to plant thousands of trees in a day.

Advances in precision agriculture help maximize efficiencies while innovative irrigation tech is lifting productivity with remote monitoring and real-time data.

Experts say water use will continue to be a major future focus for farming innovation. Stories from around the globe remind us of the scarce supplies of fresh water and our responsibility to use it wisely.

This is one reason PLASSON is committed to manufacturing the highest-quality

leak-free poly pipe fittings.

PLASSON believes every drop counts so cheaper components or cut-price materials that introduce the potential for costly leaks are simply not an option.

Imagine a rural compression fitting designed to seal the instant it goes on the pipe - a fitting that seals watertight before you tighten the nuts and without the need for any special tools.

PLASSON’s ingenious rural fitting design does this and delivers huge benefits. After all, the quicker it is to join pipe or fix a broken connection the better!

So what is the secret to making a fitting that seals water-tight instantly? It is PLASSON’s innovative O-Ring design.

The O-Rings are held captive in the body of the fitting in a specially designed groove. This clever piece of engineering

stops the O-Rings from falling out, being contaminated or easily damaged, unlike other compression fittings.

But the benefits don’t stop there. The PLASSON O-Ring design also eliminates the need for excessive tightening, a leading cause of compression fitting leaks!

PLASSON rural fittings handle Aussie conditions and feature a longer body design and strong grip rings to guard against blow outs. Fittings are UV stabilized for a long service-life and perform in hot and cold climates.

PLASSON’s longer red barbs also deliver reliable leak-free joins to both metric and imperial sized poly pipe from 3/4” up to 2”.

Connect with Plasson at plasson.com.au

79

Defend your crops against stress this season.

stoller.com.au

Solidify the emergence and establishment of your crop with Stoller Seed Treatment solutions!

Stress Factors can include...

Stoller’s Simple Solution...

Abiotic Stresses n n n n

For Strong Root Growth

Heat/Cold Flooding/Drought Frost Imbalance of nutrients/salts

BIO-FORGE @ 2.5 L/Tonne per tonne of seed

Biotic Stresses n Pathogens n Insects

+ WL ZINC Chelate

ANALYSIS ZINC (Zn) SULPHUR (S)

PRODUCT CONTAINS TOTAL SOLIDS

69.5% w/w WATER 30.5% w/w

GENERAL INFORMATION WL ZINC Chelate is a seed, foliar or soil applied micronutrient and is non-phytotoxic when used as directed. It is completely available and absorbed by the leaf surface or the root system because of the natural complexing properties of its proven phenolic acid chelating complex.The benefit of Stoller’s ZINC Chelate is its availability in the soil and in tank mixes.

MIXING INSTRUCTIONS WL ZINC Chelate will disperse in water with little agitation. Many chemicals can be added for spraying or seed coating. Refer to chemical supplier or Stoller for compatibility advice.

WL ZINC Chelate can be used as a seed and foliar treatment in combination with Bio-Forge.

When foliar spraying WL ZINC Chelate through conventional sprayers, use a minimum of 200 litres of water per hectare.When spraying with low volume equipment, 50 litres of water per hectare is usually sufficent. If less water is used, slight burning of the foliage may occur. A maximum of 5 litres per hectare, per application is recommended. Aerial applications should not exceed 1 litre per 4 litres of water. If used as a seed treatment the product can be applied neat or with sufficient water for good coverage.

WL ZINC Chelate is manufactured to rigid controls at the highest possible concentration for effective usage.Any residue in this container is water soluable. Rinse the containers with water and add to spray tank.

G

CAUTION: Always Conduct a “Jar Test” using all products in proper proportion in order to establish physical compatibility.

SHAKE WELL BEFORE MIXING STORE IN A COOL PLACE OUT OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT BMP0119

Find out today how Stoller solutions can help improve your crop yield, quality and return on investment.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE FOLIAR SPRAY Crop

C N te ZI ela Ch

1 Creswell Rd Phone (08) 8169 0900 Largs Bay Fax (08) 8169 0909 South Australia 5016 www.stoller.com.au

Contents

10

20

200 800 1000 LITRES

WL ZINC CHELATE

CAUTION Harmful if swallowed. Avoid contact with skin, eyes & clothing.Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling. Avoid breathing spray mist. Use gloves and goggles.

Stoller’s

%w/v 11.0% 5.0%

Derived from: Zinc Sulphate and Phenolic Acid Chelate

MADE IN AUSTRALIA

Rate

Vegetables

2-3 litres per hectare

Trees, Fruits and Nuts

2-4 litres per hectare

Grapevines

3-5 litres per hectare

Field Crops

1-4 litres per hectare

Comments

Incorporate WL ZINC Chelate into the normal program If tree crops are sprayed several times a year, the amount can be split into more numerous applications. Split applications are considered more beneficial than single applications.

Best applied in 2-3 applications pre-flowering

@ 2.5 L/Tonne

Apply when plants are young. Can be used with Herbicides.

DO NOT MIX with AMINES.When using AMINES use Stoller SP ZINC EDTA Chelate.

SEED/FOLIAR TREATMENTS

Grain, Cerals, Wheat, Barley

3-9 litres per tonne of seed

1-4 litres per hectare each foliar spray

Maize, Corn, Rice, Legumes

5-9 litres per tonne of seed

3-7 litres per hectare each foliar spray

Cotton

5-9 litres per tonne of seed

2-4 litres per hectare each foliar spray

Canola

8-12 litres per tonne of seed

2-4 litres per hectare each foliar spray

For use with Bio-Forge, apply 2.5 litres of WL ZINC Chelate with 2.5 litres of Bio-Forge per tonne of seed Maintenance application Moderate deficiency Heavy micronutrient deficiency

per tonne of seed

SOIL APPLICATION 2 litres per hectare 4-9 litres per hectare 9-18 litres per hectare

Trees,Vines, Horticulture (soil)

9 litres per hectare for fertigation application

Apply through dripper or micro-irrigation.Alternatively band under tree/vine row and water in

Field Crops

3-15 litres per hectare

Best applied direct with seed in furrow

CONDITIONS OF SALE 1. Seller warrants that this product consists of the ingredients specified and is reasonably fit for the purpose stated on this label when used in accordance with directions under normal conditions of use. No one, other than an officer of Seller, is authorised to make any warranty, guarantee or direction concerning this product. 2. Because the time, place, rate of application and other conditions of use are beyond Seller’s control, Seller’s liability from handling, storage and use of this product is limited to replacement of product or refund of purchase price.

Batch No:

$

Contact Stoller on FREECALL 1800 337 845 or info@stoller.com.au

Crop Protection

WHAT IS STRESS DAMAGE DOING TO YOUR YIELD?

Australian farmers are constantly facing challenges with crop constraints, which is a balancing act in any industry. These constraints can include: > Soil conditions > Lack of moisture > Too much moisture > Excessive heat > Varied temperatures > Weed management THE PROBLEM AT PLANT LEVEL Varied conditions can trigger changes in the balance of plant hormones, which can irreversibly reduce yield and quality, so it’s vital to minimise their effects to attain the highest yield possible.

The correct nutrition program can support crops to keep growing throughout these stress events.

Stoller’s plant nutrition solutions can help to reduce the impacts of stress in your crop, whether your crop is tree and vine, horticulture, or broadacre.

When plants are stressed, they generate an excess hormone called ethylene, which regulates hormone functions for growth throughout the plant. Ethylene is essential for cells to function but when cells are under stress, the oversupply of ethylene can cause premature cell death and plant damage.

SEED TREATMENT SOLUTIONS Stoller’s Integrated Nutrient Solutions will help protect a variety of crops against the harmful effects of ethylene in frost recovery, heat stress and herbicide stress by restoring nutrient status and normal plant growth.

Stoller’s seed treatment solutions can help: > Crops to emerge quicker > Improve early plant growth > Enhance root development

> Increase nutrient uptake

> Improve stress tolerance Foliar applications of Stoller’s Integrated Solutions will help increase plant nutrition for horticulture and broadacre crops during the growing season.

For crops that have received higher levels of stress, Stoller’s Stress Program, which incorporates Bio-Forge, Foli-Zyme, and WL Zinc Chelate, aims to maintain the genetic potential of plants, improve growth, and increase yield. The plant has direct access to the nutrient applied through the leaf surface, which rectifies traditional nutrient tie up in specific soils. This is especially helpful for solanaceous vegetables, such as potatoes and tomatoes, as they come into the emergence and growth stage.

VINE OR BROADACRE The increase in Bio-Forge usage throughout the viticulture and tree crop industry has been something of a revelation to these industries. Most notably has been its effect on frost recovery in vines, allowing for new shoot growth and reduced yield damage. We have seen many Australian farmers utilise this program over the past 25 years with substantial plant recovery from harsh conditions.

Stoller’s Nutrient Solutions have demonstrated nutritional vigour increases and additional tiller density in cereal crops. With farmers using the grain and graze model in high rainfall zones, this early tillering has allowed them to carry higher stock numbers before locking the paddock up for hay or grain.

Our liquid nutrition will promote healthy root growth, fast and healthy top growth, and uniformity in crops.

Bio-Forge seed treatments have been used to aid in seedling establishment.

When crops are under pressure from compacted soils, insect attack, and

weed competition, the ability to help young crops to establish is critical for any farming enterprise.

STOLLER’S STRESS PROGRAM With Australian weather conditions we are having to deal with higher stress load in the growing season. Many farmers are utilizing our Stress Program to help respond to damage, but this comes with its shortfalls.

If farmers are not prepared for upcoming stress events, then their potential crop loss can be substantial. Stoller Australia is addressing the time challenges that all farmers face by recommending the incorporation of Bio-Forge, Foli-Zyme, and WL Zinc Chelate as part of their crop maintenance program.

By being proactive rather than reactive in the application of our Stress Program, this is an added insurance for farmers’ crops.

Stoller Australia’s Technical Manager, Domenic Cavallaro, has conducted an extensive number of trials on Bio-Forge and Stoller’s Stress Program.

“Bio-Forge, especially when used with our Stress Program, has demonstrated again and again the improvement that it can have on yield across a variety of crops, which is really Domenic Cavallaro, Technical Manager, Stoller Australia exciting. This is helping farmers across the country to get the most out of their crop’s genetic potential.” – Domenic Cavallaro, Technical Manager, Stoller Australia.

To learn about the full range of Stoller products visit your local Elders branch.

81

FOR THE FARMERS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES for Australian Agriculture

eldersrural.com.au