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A green future for Nitrate fertilisers Tackling environmental stress for your best pollination and yield

A GREEN FUTURE FOR NITRATE FERTILISERS

Yara is banking on ‘green’ ammonia in its bid to slash its carbon footprint by 30% within a decade and became carbon neutral by 2050. Yara has adopted an industry-leading position on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices.

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Yara can help farmers reduce their carbon footprint by utilising environmentally friendly production methods for nitrate based fertilisers. Yara Crop Nutrition Commercial Director – Australia and New Zealand, Michael Waites, says nitrate fertilisers are the most efficient and reliable way of delivering nitrogen to a wide range of agricultural crops. “Compared to urea or ammonium, nitrate is more quickly absorbed by the plants roots, facilitating faster plant uptake. “Plants capture large amounts of carbon dioxide during growth,” Michael says. “Applying the correct fertiliser at the right amount and time helps to optimise biomass production and carbon dioxide uptake per hectare. “While this carbon dioxide fixation is only short-term because most of this biomass is consumed as food or feed, increasing the efficiency of agricultural production can free up more land for bioenergy production without impacting food security. “Replacing fossil fuels with bioenergy have the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 80 percent. “Increasing the productivity of existing agricultural land helps to reduce pressure for further land-use change, which contributes about 12 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.” Yara is one of the world’s leading producers of nitrate fertilisers, including the widely-used YaraMila range of compound NPK fertilisers. A recent innovation is the YaraRega range of water-soluble NPK fertilisers that are suitable for delivery via simple irrigation systems or broadcasting before irrigation or rainfall. Michael says Yara is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050. “We’ve already reduced the carbon footprint of our nitrate fertiliser production by 40 percent by making our production plants and processes among the most energyefficient in the world, “Our ammonia plants are energy-efficient and continuously improving, leading to lower natural gas consumption and less carbon dioxide emissions. Our nitric acid plants are among the best for greenhouse gas emissions thanks to the development and adoption of catalyst technology,” he says. “This technology significantly reduces emissions of nitrous oxide – a potent greenhouse gas – associated with the production of nitric acid. “Yara has shared this technology, which is considered best practice by the EU, with the rest of the industry, which has helped to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of nitrate and urea production in Europe compared to other countries.1,2 “Yara’s ongoing development of ‘green’ ammonia technology and climate-smart agricultural practices means we’re on track to reduce emissions by another 30 percent within a decade.” ‘Green’ ammonia technology uses renewable hydrogen sources instead of fossil fuels to produce ammonia. Yara is constructing one of the world’s first industrial-scale renewable hydrogen plants in the Pilbara region of Western Australia in partnership with ENGIE, a global low-carbon energy and services group. Other local initiatives include partnership with the Farm Waste Recovery and drumMUSTER packaging recycling programs, and implementing fully-recyclable polyethylene bottles for its YaraVita micronutrient foliar fertilisers. Yara is committed to the development and adoption of integrated crop nutrition solutions, innovative decisionmaking tools and climate-smart agricultural practices that maximise the efficiency of fertiliser application.

References: 1. Brentrup, F., et al. (2018). Updated carbon footprint values for mineral fertilizer from different world regions. 11th International Conference on Life Cycle Assessment of Food 2018 (LCA Food) 17-19 October 2018, Bangkok, Thailand. 2. Hoxha, A. & Christensen, B. (2018). The carbon footprint of fertiliser production: Regional reference values. Proceedings 805. International Fertiliser Society Conference 8 May 2018, Prague, Czech Republic.

TACKLING ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS FOR YOUR BEST POLLINATION AND YIELD

Stoller’s SETT Enhanced contains high levels of calcium and boron. SETT Enhanced optimises pollination and fruit retention for horticulture crops by strengthening flowers. The calcium and boron assist with pollen tube formation, fruit quality and can lead to higher yields, especially during cold night conditions.

Tackling Environmental Stress for Your Best Pollination and Yield

Once a seed is planted, environmental factors can start to reduce its full potential by up to 70%. These environmental stresses can include nutritional deficiencies, water stress, high or low temperatures, pests, weeds, and diseases. Crops can be impacted at various stages of growth with some crops experiencing the greatest loss early due to seedling death. Some will be affected later with flower bud failure, and others will be closer to harvest with grain abortion, fruit drop, or fruit damage. This reduction in yield impacts the grower’s bottom line and causes financial losses. Pollination is a vital part of the crop cycle. To pollinate, plants start their productive stage by creating reproductive buds, then flowers. For flowers to be pollinated, they need to stay strong long enough for this process to occur. If the crop is too weak then flower buds can abort. If the weak bud does produce a flower, these flowers can fall prematurely, and either never pollinate or only create small fruit which can fall quickly due to poor setting. These issues all lead to reduced yields. A strong, healthy flower will stay viable for longer, increasing chances of pollination. Strengthening flowers can decrease chances of bud abortion and weak flowers, and increase chances of pollination, therefore increasing quality and overall yield. So how do you get healthy flowers? Flower strength mostly depends on the health of the crop. It can be affected by a variety of factors, including the environmental stresses mentioned earlier. One of the best ways to improve flowering and give your crop the best chance at pollination is to increase the nutritional status of your crop. Adequate levels of calcium, boron, and zinc can improve overall nutrition and are essential for flower strength. These elements support the crops to mitigate adverse environmental factors. These nutrients can help with pollination, fruit set, retention, and uniformity however an agronomist can help to determine your specific tree crops’ needs. Stoller has a range of pollination and stress solutions for many crop types, including horticulture and broadacre. Stoller’s SETT Enhanced contains high levels of calcium and boron. SETT Enhanced optimises pollination and fruit retention for horticulture crops by strengthening flowers. The calcium and boron assist with pollen tube formation, fruit quality and can lead to higher yields, especially during cold night conditions.

Summary of Sett-Enhanced Trial Results on Wine Grapes:

- Applications two weeks prior to the beginning of flowering saw 17% higher yield at harvest. - Increase in number of bunches per vine. - Enhanced flowering and berry set. Once the flower has been pollinated, it is vital for fruit and nuts to then reach optimum fruit sizing. Bio-HOLD is formulated to aid in management of abiotic stress throughout flowering and early fruit sizing. Abiotic stress over this period can result in weak flowering and poor fruit set. Applied as a foliar spray over flowering and fruit sizing, Bio-HOLD can help to promote strong flowering and pollination in the face of adverse conditions. Bio-HOLD will provide plant nutrition to promote strong flowering, sizing and production.

Summary of Bio-HOLD Trial Results on Almonds:

- Early applications at 5% flower and then 80 -100% flower is effective at increasing nut numbers. - Later application at 80 -100% flower and shuckfall can increase nut weight. - Nutrients in Bio-HOLD support the crop during poor weather conditions (rainfall and low temperatures). For broadacre crops, Stoller’s Action 10 can help to improve plant health by boosting crops during stressful periods. Action 10, used as part of a good nutritional program, provides an extra boost for building roots, thereby helping the plant overcome stress. Action 10 contains highly available calcium which builds strong cells and promotes healthy growth.

Summary of Action 10 Trial Results on Legumes:

- Applications at first flower until 20% flowering saw an estimated yield increase of 8% per hectare. - Reduced seed defects by 17%. - Return of investment of $6 to every $1 spent.

For more information on Stoller’s nutrient solutions to improve pollination and yield, please contact us at info@ stoller.com.au or FREECALL 1800 337 845.

PRICES COTTON ONTO FUTURE SUPPLY AND DEMAND EQUATION

At a glance

• World cotton production is forecast to increase by 5.7 per cent (pc) in 2021-22. • Australian cotton production tipped to increase by 57pc to 4.4 million bales, the largest crop since 2017-18. • Cotton prices have trended higher in recent months driven by the likelihood of a smaller crop in the United States (US) and Brazil, suggesting ending stocks will reach a three year low in 2021-22.

The conditions in Australia

Spring is almost here, and the outlook is already positive for cotton producers. Elders agronomist Millie Bach, based in Dalby shared her thoughts ahead of sowing in Australia’s key growing regions.

“Planting will kick off around mid-October, dependent on temperature and rainfall in Queensland and New South Wales. A large crop is anticipated in both regions, driven primarily by a higher level of water availability and promising prices of greater than $600/bale. Catchments have been replenished by average to above average rainfall in 2021 for key growing regions around Dalby and Western areas through to St George and Surat.

“As we move into the growing season, farmers will be monitoring soil temperatures making sure it’s warm enough to safely plant and there’s adequate topsoil moisture in dryland blocks, hopefully resulting in an even germination across paddocks. “Mice have been a big issue over the last 12 months and grasshoppers were also a problem last year in young crops, damaging young seedlings. Fingers crossed we can get an early planting this year across the board of irrigated and dryland production areas with limited pest pressure to give us the best chance of achieving above average yields.”

The carryover impacts

The increase in world supply has the potential to put pressure on prices, however since July prices have trended higher on the back of increased consumption rates in processing countries and the forecast of a smaller crop in the United States (US) and Brazil, leading to an increased likelihood of ending stocks reaching a three year low in 2021-22.

Overall, world ending stocks for cotton are forecast to reach a three-year low of 87.2 million bales, a decrease of 5 per cent. Domestic consumption rates in key processing countries such as China and India are forecast to increase in 202122, however, imports to China are forecast to ease. The world’s largest processor, China, is tipped to consume one million more bales in 2021-22, however, most of the increase in consumption will come from existing inventory. China’s ending stocks increased by 5.3 pc in 2020-21, partly a function of higher carry-over from a decrease in consumption in 2019-20 and an increase in imports in 2020-21.

The upside downside

On paper, increases in world production, higher carryover stocks and a reduction in imports in 2021-22 would suggest downward pressure on prices. However, cotton markets have taken an appropriate longer-term view. Fast forward to 2022-23 and the forecast of lower ending stocks and strengthening demand would suggest cotton will be sought after and have the potential to attract a higher price.

However, the potential elephant in the room is oil prices. Softening oil prices make synthetic materials cheaper to produce, reducing the competitiveness of cotton. Although oil prices rallied from June to mid-way through July, they have since declined and so have futures prices. For the reasons outlined above, oil prices in the past month haven’t impacted cotton but competition from synthetic materials does present a downside risk to cotton prices should the trend continue.

From an Australian perspective the forecast of greater production in a market where prices are trending higher bodes well for the season ahead.

World cotton prices have trended 12.7pc higher since the beginning of the financial year. Source: NYME.

ZOETIS AND BEYOND BLUE SHINE THE SPOTLIGHT ON WOMEN’S MENTAL HEALTH AS THEY CONTINUE TO SUPPORT AUSTRALIANS LIVING IN RURAL COMMUNITIES

With one third of Australian women living in rural and regional areas, women play a crucial role in the growth and future of regional economies and communities. Unfortunately, women experience some mental health conditions at higher rates than men. Women are often juggling the demands of trying to be a perfect worker, parent, partner and friend, which can be nothing short of exhausting. And when women feel they have fallen short of these standards, they can be quick to self-criticise. Now in its sixth year, leading Animal Health company Zoetis will continue to support the mental health challenges faced by people living in rural Australia through its crucial partnership with Beyond Blue, committing to raise up to $100,000 for the Beyond Blue Support Service in 2021. Zoetis, who works closely with rural Australia through interactions with the country’s farming community, agricultural stores, veterinarians and their families, has helped raise $500,000 in the past five years by donating $5 from each sale of the company’s livestock, pig and poultry vaccines and drenches. The money raised goes directly to the Beyond Blue Support Service to continue helping people living in remote areas who experience higher rates of mental health conditions and suicide. To date, thanks to Zoetis’s donation, over 8,000 people have been able to get the support they need through the service. “Zoetis is proud to once again be supporting Beyond Blue and the important work they do,” says Lance Williams, Zoetis Senior Vice President and Cluster Lead, Australia and New Zealand. “We knew that supporting mental health in rural Australia was critical when we first embarked on this support campaign, but we didn’t know then just how important the partnership would be. Together we have made strong progress in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of rural families and individuals, and we are passionate about helping again this year.” In addition to everyday demands, major life transitions such as pregnancy, motherhood and menopause can create physical and emotional stresses for women. Negative life experiences such as infertility and perinatal loss, poverty, discrimination, violence, unemployment and isolation also impact on women’s mental health and wellbeing. In addition, unequal economic and social conditions can contribute to women’s higher risk of depression. Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman said the Beyond Blue Support Service continued to experience increased demand since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. “This year has brought its challenges and people have got in touch with us for many reasons. They might be feeling worried, lonely, concerned about their health or the health of friends and loved ones, finances or job security,” Ms Harman said. “Whatever the reason, Beyond Blue wants people to know that no problem is too big or small to reach out. Sometimes, just talking to someone can make a difference. “Through this partnership, Beyond Blue can support many people in rural areas and we are very grateful for the ongoing support from Zoetis.” The Beyond Blue Support Service offers free and immediate counselling, advice and referrals via phone, webchat or email. In addition to the support service, Beyond Blue has resources and information online at www.beyondblue.org.au, including Online Forums which offer peer support in a safe, moderated setting. People can support the Zoetis initiative from July 15 to October 31, 2021. For every animal health product sold by Zoetis, they will donate $5, up to $100,000, to Beyond Blue. For more information on how you can help Zoetis to raise vital funds to support mental health in our rural communities through its partnership with Beyond Blue please visit www. zoetis.com.au For more information about depression and anxiety, visit www.beyondblue.org.au. To talk to a mental health professional for free, contact the 24/7 Beyond Blue Support Service on 1300 22 46 36. Free web chat is also available from 3pm until midnight at beyondblue.org.au/getsupport and you can join the forums for free and download the BeyondNow app from the website. The free Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service is available 24/7 at coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au Its dedicated phone line, staffed by mental health professionals trained on the pandemic response, is available on 1800 512 348.

PREVENTING LEPTOSPIROSIS: PROTECTING YOUR CATTLE & YOUR FAMILY

With an increased vigilance around zoonotic diseases (diseases which transfer directly from animals to humans), it’s worth reviewing the key reasons cattle producers are utilising Ultravac® 7in1 to protect the workforce on their farm.

In the human version of the disease, leptospirosis (also known as “lepto”) causes flu-like symptoms with a high proportion of people requiring hospitalisation. My father, David Petersen, caught the disease while calving a cow on a dairy farm near Finley NSW. He spent several days in hospital, with a severe fever and headache. With the aid of a good doctor, who recognised the signs early and initiated antibiotics, he recovered quickly. Unfortunately, the diagnosis of leptospirosis is not always achieved quickly, and treatment can be delayed. This can be a reason that people report chronic flu like symptoms for some time after infection.

The disease is contracted both in humans and cattle through direct contact with infected urine, placental material or contaminated water. The bacteria enters the body through mucous membranes of the eyes and mouth or damaged skin. Human infections can occur:

• While assisting during calving without proper protection • From urine splashing from infected cows during milking or calving • Indirectly via contaminated water, food or soil • By handling an aborted foetus or afterbirth • Through contact with floodwaters Leptospirosis affects beef and dairy cattle. The bacteria can live in the environment for months in moist conditions before infecting an animal. It can also survive for a long time in stagnant water and can spread over large areas in floodwaters. Once infected, cattle can subsequently shed Lepto in their urine. In the case of L. hardjo, cattle can shed lepto for periods greater than 12 months after their initial infection.

The consequences of infection in cattle are infertility, abortion and weak calves. Lepto can cause a form of mastitis where cows show a sudden drop in milk production and high cell count, with any milk produced potentially going a yellow colour. This can happen in an individual cow or group of cows, often in the absence of other clinical signs. Cattle are a host to two common species of Leptospira, Leptospira borgpetesenii serovar Hardjo type Hardjobovis, referred to as Lepto hardjo for short, and Leptospira interrogans serovar Pomona, which is generally shortened to Lepto pomona. Most readers would commonly skip straight over the scientific name and not realise that different vaccines contain different species of Lepto hardjo, which cause different responses to the vaccine in cows. Ultravac® 7in1 contains the above two strains of Lepto hardjo and pomona which have been sourced locally and is manufactured in Australia. The Australian Lepto hardjo strain used in Ultravac® 7in1 elicits a strong cell mediated immune response which is necessary to prevent infection of the kidneys of cows and subsequent urinary shedding. When used prior to natural exposure, Ultravac®7in1 prevents urinary shedding of Leptospira, breaking the cycle of infection in cow herds and stopping the spread of new infections.

Ultravac®7in1 can be given to calves from as early as 4 weeks of age and the vaccine works in the presence of maternal antibodies. Other vaccines only work to minimise shedding and can only be given to older calves after maternal antibodies have worn off, providing an opportunity for infection to occur. Given only a tiny number of bacteria are required to cause infection and disease in both cattle and humans, Ultravac®7in1’s unique mode of action is the only way to stop new infections occurring and clear the disease out of the herd. By preventing urinary shedding of Lepto, you will also be providing a safe workplace for staff.

SPRING SHEARING – IT IS TIME TO TALK LOUSICIDE ROTATION

ELANCO is encouraging animal health advisors to have the conversation about the need to adopt effective rotation programs to maintain the efficacy of all available sheep lousicides.

The currently available pour-on lousicide products belong to four chemical classes with different modes of action: neonicotinoids (e.g. imidacloprid, thiacloprid), spinosyns (e.g. spinosad), macrocyclic lactones (MLs) (e.g. abamectin) and organophosphates (e.g. temephos, diazinon).

Elanco Australasia Senior Brand Manager, Dr Kathryn Humphries, says resistance can develop to any chemical if it is used continuously.

“Australian sheep and wool producers have relied upon neonicotinoids and spinosad for the last decade as their ‘go-to’ pour-on lousicides,” Dr Humphries says.

“While there is no known resistance of lice to either of these modes of action, it’s important that we keep it that way.

“Now is the time to establish a rotation regime with products of different classes to protect these molecules from the development of potential resistance.

“The lousicide rotation wheel provided is an easy visual representation to help guide conversations on product selection,” advises Dr Humphries.

“The first question to ask is what product did you use to treat lice last time? As the aim is not to apply lice treatments with the same mode of action consecutively, this will help with the decision on the most appropriate product class to select.”

Another question is to ask in spring is about the choice of chemicals to be used for blowfly strike prevention. It is important not to apply products with the same mode of action to control lice and blowflies in the same season as there is a risk lice will receive sublethal doses of chemical when it is applied for fly control.

“An important consideration if selecting products containing abamectin is that these products treats both lice and worms. Even though the product is applied as a pour on backline to kill lice, it is also absorbed into the bloodstream and kills susceptible roundworms. Precautions need to be taken to minimise the development of drench resistance.”

As with all products, correct application is important to ensure optimal outcomes. “Remind producers to always read and follow the label directions. Encourage your producers to visit Liceboss.com.au for industry recommendations on effective lice management.” suggests Dr Humphries.

“Product stewardship is everyone’s responsibility and spring is the perfect time to be initiating these conversations.”

For more information or to talk to one of the Elanco technical or sales teams for advice on lice solutions for the upcoming 2021 spring shearing season, please contact Elanco on 1800 226 324 or ANZCustomerAdviceLine@elancoah.com

®Registered trademarks. Elanco, Extinosad™ and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. ©2021 Elanco or its affiliates. PM-AU-21-0551

TARGET SHEEP REPRO: A GROUNDBREAKING SHEEP REPRODUCTION PROGRAM

With favourable seasonal conditions, sheep producers across Australia are busy rebuilding their flocks.

The MLA predicts that by June 2021, the national flock size will increase to 67.3 million.1 With such a focus, the importance of ewe fertility and fecundity and lamb survival is more crucial than ever. For the first time, Virbac is proud to introduce the Target Sheep Repro Program, a unique animal health program that has been demonstrated to improve ewe fertility and fecundity and lamb survival through a dual mode of action.

The Target Sheep Repro Program consists of two products unique to animal health:

1. Ovastim - a reproductive vaccine that results in ewes releasing more eggs. Ovastim has been shown to increase lambing rates by an average of 23%.2

2. Multimin for Sheep - a trace mineral injection that supports embryo survival and lamb health. Multimin treatment has been shown to result in an average of 9% more lambs marked that were 2.3 kg heavier at weaning.3

When paired together, as part of a comprehensive animal health program, both products work together to help producers see:

• More lambs per ewe joined • More multiples and fewer singles • Healthier lambs and improved welfare • Healthier lambs at sale

The Target Sheep Repro Program will be suitable for progressive sheep producers who scan their ewes and look for products that can dramatically increase the number of lambs per ewe. Dr Graham Lean, Principal Consultant at Agrivet Business has investigated the financial impact Multimin and Ovastim can have on a sheep enterprise. “It was no surprise that the use of Ovastim was likely to be massively profitable. Using Ovastim in a typical prime lamb flock may result in a profit of about $18/ewe in today’s market. Meanwhile, using a Multimin program can result in a staggering $43/ewe extra profit!”

“Make hay while the sun shines,” says Dr George Cox, sheep veterinarian at Virbac. “Producers that manage multiple bearing ewes well can achieve optimal reproductive performance with their current ewes by using the two products.”

“These two products are a fantastic combination because they complement each other really well. While Ovastim increases the number of eggs per ovulation cycle increasing the chance of twins, Multimin improves the antioxidant status and the immune system helping to protect those embryos, ensuring they make it to term and result in the birth of healthy lambs” stated Dr Paula Gonzalez-Rivas, nutritionist and veterinarian at Virbac.

For more information about the Target Sheep Repro Program, please head to https://au.virbac.com/ targetrepro

A REWARDING CAREER SERVING FARMING COMMUNITIES

A commitment to serving farmer clients and harnessing opportunities in good times and bad are the hallmarks of Karel Walker’s 16-year career with Elders.

From her first job in merchandise sales at Lake Grace to managing Elders branches at Albany and Mount Barker in southern Western Australia today, Karel has always been impressed by Elders’ commitment to servicing farmers and graziers and the rural communities where they operate. “Through the ups and downs, Elders has always recognised that we provide a vital supply chain link to farmers who rely on us to get the job done,” she said. “The people we service are our highest priority.” Karel has never forgotten how tough it was when she took on her first merchandise sales job at Elders in Lake Grace back in 2005. “Back then, local farmers grew cereals and ran sheep, but seasonal conditions were tough, grain and wool prices were low, and livestock weren’t bringing in the prices they are today,” she said. “However, I was a young mother from a farming background with experience in banking, so I saw Elders as a good career opportunity and quickly learned how important the company was to the local community. “Eighteen months later, I took on the very challenging role of branch manager, adding the livestock agency, insurance, real estate, banking in those days to the merchandise functions and a much bigger area to look after. “I was also responsible for eight staff at Lake Grace and two more employees at a satellite branch at Newdegate. “And despite all the change at Elders in those days, the training was excellent and I had a lot of opportunities to develop my career.” In 2012, Karel took up a new challenge as merchandise manager at Mount Barker, at the request of Matt Ericsson, Elders area manager for WA’s south-west. The business there is a joint venture between Elders and the Mount Barker Cooperative, one of Australia’s oldest cooperatives at more than a century old. It is a dedicated merchandise operation supplying agricultural chemicals, animal health products, cropping and pasture seeds, fertilisers, as well as shearing gear and plants, field bins and silos. “Mount Barker is a diverse region supporting cattle, sheep and cropping; and as farmers have expanded their operations, so too has our team and our services,” Karel said. The Elders team there now includes an agronomist and a salesperson on the road, to provide advice and arrange supplies for farmer clients. Once again, Karel’s role grew in June 2020 to take on the management of both the Mount Barker and Albany branches, including 12 staff. It’s meant spending time in both locations and looking at ways to do things better for farmers. “A lot of our growth comes from employing people who are very good at what they do and are willing to go the extra mile to assist our clients,” Karel said. “The COVID-19 era has seen our people go above and beyond to ensure our farmers have the merchandise needed to keep their operations running, anywhere from Cranbrook to the north to Albany, 100 kilometres south. “We are also servicing farmers in more remote areas like Bremer Bay, 180 kilometres north-east of Albany, through an agency at Boxwood Hill. “By stocking this depot and offering on-farm deliveries, farmers are saving valuable time because they don’t need to drive 140 kilometres coming into town when they are busy seeding or spraying.” Beyond its service to farmer clients, Elders is continuing to support local communities. It is a major sponsor of the Boxwood Hill Football Club and Elders people regularly take part in information days for students at the WA College of Agriculture, Denmark. The company is also a major sponsor of Stirlings to Coast Farmers, a farmer-led research and extension group helping South Coast farmers to adapt research findings to local conditions and run more productive and more profitable farm businesses. “Whether it’s helping out with trials and agronomy support or guiding the career choices of the next generation, we are actively involved in our community,” Karel said. Karel has no doubt that Elders has been the right choice for her career. “No matter how tough it is, our clients are always our first priority,” she said. “People like me who are the face of Elders in the country are highly valued by our leadership team and there are plenty of opportunities for training and development and meeting new people. “Elders is an innovative company that is growing and there’s no better company to work for in agriculture.”

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