Elders Seasons Magazine - Spring 2020

Spring 2020

A game-changing PREDICTIVE PEST MONITOR

+ Precision Ag:

Have you considered a Programmed Approachâ„¢ to pasture renewal?

IN - PADD O CK

WEIGHING THAT WORKS

HOW TO GO FROM JUMBLED NUMBERS

TO MEANINGFUL ANSWERS

+

ELDERS LAUNCHES NEW AGRICULTURAL MARKET ANALYSIS ARM

Effective Crop Nutrition HOW TO ACHIEVE THE IDEAL RATION

A Word from the CEO A warm welcome to the very first edition of Seasons.

With over 180 years of experience in the Australian agricultural sector, our mission at Elders remains the same - to provide solutions and advice that drive productivity and profitability for producers and growers across the country.

Seasons will be a definitive guide to the latest products and information relevant to Australian farmers to complement the existing goods and services that we supply through our regional network. We will highlight the latest in crop protection, animal health and general merchandise as well as bring you information about new strategies and findings that can drive optimal performance of your agribusiness.

We have had a huge year here at Elders, as many of our clients have. While facing a global pandemic, our country and industry have been forced to adapt in many ways. I have been continually impressed, although unsurprised, by the resilience of our industry and its communities. It seems that no industry thrives in adversity quite like agriculture.

No matter the effects of this pandemic on your operations and how your year is panning out, I hope that you find this edition of Seasons useful and your local Elders branch a friendly ally as we head into spring. I encourage you, as I encourage the entire Elders team, to reach out and maintain connection with your community and support network as much as possible in these times.

Stay safe,

Mark Allison

2

eldersrural.com.au

Contents Elders Launches New Agricultural Market Analysis Arm World First Development For Australia The Buffalo Fly Season Is Just Around The Corner Sustained Selenium Supplementation Supports Livestock Productivity And Profitability For Producers Delivering Effective Crop Nutrition Is More Than The NPK Ratio Things To Think About This Spring: Winter Cropping The Big Problem: Reduced Yield Due To Stress Waratah Fencing – Still The Best Australian Made Fencing A New Tool For Pome Fruit, Stone Fruit, Almond And Macadamia Growers.

Real-Time Predictive In-Paddock Pest Monitoring Network Game Changer Combat Fungal Disease With Confidence Using Belanty New High Strength Granule Glufosinate Herbicide Released Precision Ag: How To Go From Jumbled Numbers To Meaningful Answers New Approach Needed To Realise Agriculture’s Potential Endoprime And Intuity Shine At Virtual Field Days Valor Brings Flexibility To Summer Weed Control A New Generation 100% Non-Ionic Surfactant Trezac Arylex Active Now Registered For Northern NSW & QLD Avoid Spring Surprises: Be Proactive About Snail And Slug Control.

Private Labels In Rural Retail Good Value Or Gets What You Pay For? Things To Think About This Spring: Summer Cropping Gallagher Agdevices App Gives Farmers Confidence And Peace Of Mind With A Complete View Of Fence Performance Farm Data Made Easier Have You Considered A Programmed Approach™ To Pasture Renewal?

5 7 8 10 13

Yield Is Key To Livestock Profit Potential Pacific Seeds Set To Release Next Generation Of Game-Changing Canola Hybrids Polymaster Has Bulk Diesel Storage Covered

14

Tough Jobs Made Easy With The New Easylok Large Bore Metric Fitting From Philmac

17

Cocky Valve Launches Ulti Flo Trough Valves

18

Poly Silos, Clearly A Better Solution.

21 23 26 29 30 32 34 37 38 41 43 44 47 48 51 54

Confinement Feeding: Considerations And Strategies For Success Designed To Optimise Your Animal’s Genetic Potential Hot Dipped Galvanising: It Just Works Optiweigh: In-Paddock Weighing That Works Harnessing The Power Of Biology In Horticulture Things To Think About This Spring: Checklist For Sheep Producers Plan For Success With Mainstar Forage Rape Plasson Is A Global Leader In The Development And Manufacture Of Innovative Solutions For Pipelines Managing Selenium Deficiency Zoetis And Beyond Blue Continue To Support Mental Health And Reduce Stigma Around Mental Health In Rural Communities Things To Think About This Spring: Checklist For Cattle Producers Choosing The Right Aircraft Oil Is As Easy As 1,2,3 Mooving On Up To Best Practice On Farm For Dealing With Down Cows Are You Handling Your Livestock Correctly?

Australian Farmland Values Outlook Things To Think About This Spring: Wool Checklist

57 58 61 63 64 67 69 71 73 75 77 78 81 82 85 87

90 92 95 97 98 100

3

PURCHASE FROM ELDERS NOW TO

100,000

HELP $ RAISE

TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH IN RURAL AUSTRALIA For every Zoetis cattle, sheep, pig, poultry or goat vaccine or parasiticide sold by Zoetis between 15 July and 31 October 2020, Zoetis will donate $5, up to $100,000 to Beyond Blue.

"$100,000 will assist 2,083 people in Australia"*

Georgie Harman - CEO Beyond Blue *Assistance through the Beyond Blue Support Service

Zoetis Australia Pty Ltd. ABN 94 156 476 425. Level 6, 5 Rider Boulevard, Rhodes NSW 2138. © 2020 Zoetis Inc. All rights reserved 05/20 ZL1198

ELDERS LAUNCHES NEW AGRICULTURAL MARKET ANALYSIS ARM

Elders recently announced the launch of its newest division, Thomas Elder Markets (TEM), to expand the business’s service offering to clients across Australia.

The new business will offer independent agricultural market analysis with the aim of assisting agricultural stakeholders to make better, more informed decisions that drive profitability on-farm.

TEM will operate under the independent Thomas Elder family, separate from the Elders business to ensure complete operational independence and complement the existing Thomas Elder offering, comprised of Thomas Elders Consulting (TEC), an independent consulting service, and Thomas Elder Institute (TEI), the group’s RD&E arm.

Elders CEO Mark Allison says that the TEM team has been established with leading agricultural market analysts, Andrew Whitelaw and Matt Dalgleish. “Our analysts have a depth of knowledge of the sector and a profound understanding of how the right questions and insights can provide invaluable information for clients making costly decisions,” said Mr Allison.

our stakeholders and clients can be on commodities and the factors driving activity, the more successfully they can implement strategies over the short and long term that improve outcomes across their business or the sector more widely.”

TEM Analyst Andrew Whitelaw says that the new business is an exciting venture promising to deliver objective and independent analytical reports to the sector. “Our experience gained from working in the markets space and providing analytical content allows us to break down complex situations into easily understood and meaningful insights,” says Mr Whitelaw.

“While we have an inherent relationship with the Elders business, it’s truly important to us that we are an independent entity operating within our own charter to maintain the upmost integrity,” said Mr Whitelaw.

For more information visit thomaseldermarkets.com.au.

“The need for accurate and practical data to apply to decision making is a nobrainer in agriculture. The more informed

5

New Product

WORLD FIRST DEVELOPMENT FOR AUSTRALIA

Cydectin® Platinum Dual Active Lv Pour-on for cattle from Virbac Australia Australian cattle producers require more than just highly effective Animal Health products. They need reliability, trust and peace-of-mind that the products they choose work the way they’re intended. They need healthier, more productive cattle as well as safer pastures. Most are strapped for time and need to be ready to move when the market does. But most importantly, they need products that are safe to use and are well tolerated by their animals.

Cydectin ® Platinum is the world’s first dual active cattle drench containing moxidectin and levamisole that ticks the boxes for Australian cattle producers. Virbac’s latest addition to the Cydectin ® franchise, Cydectin ® Platinum, offers the potency and the persistency of Moxidectin as well as the broad spectrum activity of dual actives. It delivers reduced pasture contamination for 21-35 days, a short meat WHP and ESI and is non-irritant, all in the convenience of a low volume pour-on 1.

Farmers can now move to a combination drench to improve worm control, delay resistance AND keep the benefits they’ve come to expect - potency, persistency, short WHPs with no known impact on dung beetles.

Ivomec® Pour-on Registered* 1994 Age of Product 26 years

Cydectin® Pour-on

Cydectin® Platinum is the most recently developed and trialled drench to hit the Australian market. It has been rigorously tested in registration trials around Australia against current worm strains from key cattle regions. You can be confident in recommending Cydectin® Platinum as a product that will perform under current Australian field conditions.

Registered* 1996 Age of Product 24 years

Dectomax® Pour-on Registered* 1997 Age of Product 23 years

“THE MOST RECENTLY TRIALLED CATTLE DRENCH IN AUSTRALIA”

INNOVATIVE DMI-Sorb™ Technology provides a pour-on that stays-on. Although it’s the first veterinary use of its kind in Australia, DMI (dimethyl isorbide) is well known and widely used in the human cosmetic industry. DMISorb™ keeps the product concentrated to the areas where it is applied, with less run-off or spread, it enhances absorption of the actives into the body and reduces absorption variability between animals. Cydectin® Platinum is rainfast and does not cause irritation to the skin or damage the hide when used as directed.

Leaving worms behind in cattle can lead to significant productivity losses. A number of studies have shown that the use of dual active drenches against resistant worms increased productivity compared to popular single active endectocide drenches.2,3 To protect productivity, producers should always use a drench with the highest efficacy.

The research behind dual actives and ‘combination theory’ support the use of Cydectin® Platinum as the choice for all treatment points. 4,5 Cydectin ® Platinum should be used wherever a single active drench (including Cydectin Pour-on) is currently used.

Eprinex® Pour-on Registered* 1998 Age of Product 22 years

Eclipse® Pour-on Registered* 2011 Age of Product 9 years

Cydectin® Platinum Registered* 2020 Age of Product -

*Pubcris, APVMA

Cydectin® Platinum is proudly Australian made at Virbac’s manufacturing facility at Penrith, NSW and supports Australian jobs.

MORE INFORMATION: au.virbac.com/platinum | 1800 242 100

REFERENCES:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Refer to registered label 2Canton et., al. (2019) Impact on beef cattle productivity of infection with anthelmintic-resistant nematodes,New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 68:3, 187-192.

Fazzio et., al, (2014). The effect of anthelmintic resistance on the productivity in feedlot cattle. Veterinary Parasitology, 206.

Kaplan (2020) Biology, Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Management of Anthelmintic Resistance in Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Livestock, Veterinary Clinics of North America Food Practice, Vol 36, Issue 1 17-30 Leathwick and Besier (2014), The management of anthelmintic resistance in grazing ruminants in Australasia – strategies and experiences. Veterinary Parasitology, 204(1):44-54.

7

Animal Health

THE BUFFALO FLY SEASON IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER Did you know that the buffalo fly (Haematobia irritans exigua) is the second most costly ectoparasite to the Australian cattle industry after cattle ticks?1 Buffalo flies cost an estimated annual financial loss of $98.7 million, as well as causing significant welfare concerns in affected cattle. as insecticidal ear tags may be suitable. Ear tags are recommended in beef cattle when there are 200 flies per head or in dairy cattle when there are 30 flies per head; this is the threshold at which production is typically impacted and cattle welfare is compromised.

These small blood-sucking parasites feed off cattle, biting their host up to 40 times a day. This causes severe irritation when at high levels, and can also spread disease resulting in pinkeye and lesions around the eyes and body of cattle. The distress flies cause can disrupt grazing time and reduce hide value, resulting in serious welfare and production concerns.

Buffalo flies are prevalent in the northern regions of Australia predominantly seen in spring and summer.

Populations increase with rising soil temperature and frequent rainfall, stimulating young adult flies to emerge from their pupal stage in the soil and seek out a host on which to live and feed.

With spring now upon us, it’s timely to start thinking about the best way to control this costly parasite.

Control methods should aim to reduce total fly numbers and therefore minimise their impact. “An integrated management program is the most effective way to manage buffalo flies. This also helps in safe-guarding the efficacy of the actives we have available in order to minimise resistance” states Dr Rick White, Bayer’s Grow Technical Services Veterinarian.

Cattle of any age can be affected by buffalo flies, however cattle with dark coats and bulls tend to attract greater fly numbers, with bulls typically showing more signs of distress by their presence. Some cattle can also be hypersensitive to buffalo flies, causing exaggerated reactions (‘allergies’) to very few fly bites. Culling these hypersensitive cattle can be an effective management option to increase the threshold over which chemical treatment is required. Genetic selection, dung beetles and the use of fly traps are also possible non-chemical control methods that may reduce overall chemical use on your property.

When fly pressure is predicted to remain high for a prolonged period of time, or cattle are showing signs of fly worry, long acting chemical control methods such

8

eldersrural.com.au

“It’s essential we are strategic in how and when we use these treatments to prolong the efficacy of the actives we have available. Rotation of actives within a season and from season to season is vital,” Dr White emphasises.

The active used in the shoulder fly seasons should be different to that used in the ear tag. “For instance, if a macrocyclic lactone (ML) drench has been used at the start of the buffalo fly season to control both internal parasites and buffalo flies, a synthetic pyrethroid (SP) ear tag such as Cylence® Ultra or organophosphate (OP) ear tag such as Patriot ® or Co-Ral® Plus should be used during the peak fly season” advises Dr White. The following year, the ear tag active should be rotated.

“Ensuring fly tags are used correctly is also important in ensuring their efficacy. Follow the label directions to ensure you are using the correct number of ear tags per head and make sure tags are removed at the end of the published efficacy period. In the case of Patriot®, CoRal® Plus and Cylence® Ultra, this is 4 months. Applying too few ear tags or leaving them in beyond the published efficacy period may accelerate resistance development” says Dr White.

With buffalo flies able to travel up to 10km, they can readily spread between cattle, across properties and from introduced cattle. “We recommend engaging with your neighbours along with your local animal health advisors to formulate a community based control program. This helps ensure the local buffalo fly populations are controlled by actives that are effective, regardless of where they travel”.

If you would like further information on buffalo fly control programs, contact us on our toll-free number 1800 678 368 or visit www.growsolutions.com.au References: 1. B.AHE.0010 Final Report: Priority list of endemic diseases for the red meat industries. MLA published 20 March 2015, GHD Pty Ltd ( Joe Lane et al)

“With spring now upon us, it’s timely to start thinking about the best way to control this costly parasite. Control methods should aim to reduce total fly numbers and therefore minimise their impact.�

Animal Health

SUSTAINED SELENIUM SUPPLEMENTATION SUPPORTS LIVESTOCK PRODUCTIVIT Y AND PROFITABILIT Y FOR PRODUCERS Charlotte Tomkins

Naturally occurring selenium is widely known to be lacking in many regions of Australia, yet it’s a fundamental trace element that can impact metabolism and growth, as well as the reproductive and immune systems, of sheep and cattle.

As we celebrate the arrival of Spring, it’s important to remember that selenium levels in pasture are going to be at their lowest from now and right through until Summer (especially in years of good autumn rain and lush clover growth, as extra pasture growth dilutes availability) – and the substantial impact that a selenium deficiency can have on the success of a farming enterprise.

Selenium deficiency can be complicated, and levels can vary seasonally and geographically. Some regions are well known for being deficient in this vital mineral – like much of coastal southern Australia and right up the eastern seaboard, which has sandy, acidic and granitederived soils. Lower pasture selenium levels are also associated with heavy superphosphate applications, with high sulphur levels reducing selenium availability.

Why is this important to understand? Because without an effective selenium supplementation, stock in affected areas can suffer serious health issues that dramatically effect performance. Common clinical signs of selenium deficiency are increased susceptibility to disease, infertility, ill-thrift and low growth rates (particularly in younger animals). The most severe results are skeletal and muscle diseases, such as White Muscle Disease, lameness and even death from heart failure. According to Dr Rick White, Grow livestock agronomist “The first step towards addressing a potential deficiency is knowing the selenium status of your stock. Our team work closely with producers to encourage a proactive approach, which involves collecting blood samples from the herd for accurate diagnosis and, if indicated, treatment with Selovin LA,” “We need to ensure cattle and sheep breeders are at their healthiest and production is maximised through supplementation with a long-acting product such as Selovin LA, which gives producers safe and long-term management of selenium deficiency.”

Research has shown that offspring from deficient animals are born deficient, and that offspring from supplemented animals are not deficient, so supplementing breeders not only improves their production potential, but also prevents deficiency in the young animals.1 10

eldersrural.com.au

Supplementing selenium in deficient herds has also been shown to vastly improve production output and better use of farm inputs. With an MLA review of cattle supplementation in deficient areas showing an impressive benefit:cost ratio of between 3:1 and 18:1, depending on the trial site.2 So, ultimately, it’s not just about the science, understanding and managing essential selenium levels is also common sense and just plain good business.

Selovin LA treats and prevents selenium deficiency in cattle for up to 12 months and in sheep for up to 18 months. Selovin LA provides cost effective management of selenium deficiency for livestock, in a convenient and safe form due to the slow release of selenium following administration. Importantly there are no withhold periods for the product.

Don’t let selenium deficiency limit the potential of your livestock.

To find out more about Selovin LA or selenium deficiency visit growsolutions.com.au or enquire at your local Elders store.

1 (N. D. Grace, S. O. Knowles, and D. M. West, “Dose-response effects of long-acting injectable vitamin B12 plus selenium (Se) on the vitamin B12 and Se status of ewes and their lambs,” New Zealand Veterinary Journal, vol. 54, no. 2, pp. 67–72, 2006) 2 (Managing production risk on high input farms, Optimising key animal health issues November 2011 Meat & Livestock Australia Limited)

PROMOTION

BUY

OR

BUY

OR

BUY

4-11 DRUMS*

12+ DRUMS*

30+ DRUMS*

RECEIVE

RECEIVE

RECEIVE

5L Backpack & Applicator †

Powerdoser † or 1 x 20L VIPER†

Powerdoser + 2 x 20L VIPER†

Pre-order now at viperpromotion.com.au *20L VIPER Pour-on. †Limit of one per customer, pre-orders must be placed with Bayer prior to VIPER purchase. While stocks last. © Bayer Australia Limited. 875 Pacific Highway, Pymble NSW. ACN 000 138 714. VIPER® is a registered trade mark of the Bayer Group. To find out more, call our customer information line on 1800 678 368 (Monday to Friday).

PD - 02712

Delivering effective crop nutrition YaraMila COMPLEX is an ideal basal fertiliser for a wide range of fruit, vegetable and viticultural crops. It contains the desired balance of plant-available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (12-5-15), along with useful amounts of boron, iron, magnesium, manganese, sulphur and zinc, for optimal early growth and establishing yield potential. The uniform prill size and strength ensures that YaraMila COMPLEX is easy to handle and apply, while still being highly soluble for rapid nutrient availability. Contact Yara and find out how YaraMila COMPLEX delivers a precise balance. Š 2020 Yara YAR20293

1800 684 266

au.sales@yara.com

@yara_australia

yara.com.au

Crop Protection

DELIVERING EFFECTIVE CROP NUTRITION IS MORE THAN THE NPK RATIO Yara Australia

YaraMila COMPLEX (formerly called Hydro COMPLEX) is an ideal basal fertiliser for a wide range of horticultural and vegetable crops. YaraMila COMPLEX has the ideal ratio of plant-available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium with secondary and micronutrients in a highly-soluble compound prill.

Yara Australia Agronomy and Crop Solutions Manager, David McRae, says delivering a correct balance of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium is essential for optimum growth and ultimately, crop yield and quality.

Apart from applying the right quantities of nutrients, they need to be distributed evenly. To successfully achieve this, we must firstly consider what happens to a product during handling and application. YaraMila COMPLEX is a compound prill which has good particle strength. It is not at risk of segregation during transport or handling like blends, allowing it to be spread or banded evenly. This results in even nutrient application, supporting healthy crop growth.

nitrogen have a low potential of volatilisation losses (gaseous losses back to atmosphere). Volatilisation losses can be high when surface applying urea of sulphate of ammonia in the wrong conditions. These losses cost the growers through the need for higher rates of nitrogen and the negative impact on the environment.

The phosphorus content in YaraMila COMPLEX is presented as water soluble orthophosphate, polyphosphate and P Extend. P Extend is consistently released over a 90 day period. “The combination of these different forms of phosphorus ensures greater and longer lasting availability to crops over a wide range of soil types,” David says.

Another key benefit of YaraMila COMPLEX is that the prill size is smaller than most granular fertilisers. Smaller prills means there is more particles per spread area or landing sites, leading to improved nutrient distribution.

The prills still have a high bulk density, allowing even application.

“Polyphosphates improve the availability and uptake efficiency of phosphorus and other micronutrients.”

The polyphosphate effect is particularly important in supporting iron availability, which can be an issue on higher pH soils. Iron plays an important role in the production of energy, which drives growth.

The high solubility of YaraMila COMPLEX allows rainfall, irrigation water or soil moisture to quickly release nutrients for plant uptake, supporting rapid growth. The nutrient forms in YaraMila COMPLEX support balanced plant nutrition and healthy growth. Nitrogen is supplied as ammonium nitrate. This is important as this form of

The potassium source in YaraMila COMPLEX is based on SOP, which is particularly important for crops with a low tolerance to chloride. YaraMila COMPLEX is a balanced combination of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (12-5-15), along with trace amounts of calcium, boron, iron, magnesium, manganese, sulphur and zinc.

13

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT THIS SPRING: WINTER CROPPING

Every year, winter crop farmers heading toward harvest are presented with several scenarios for the spring season. It is paramount that every scenario, and the impact that it carries, is carefully considered. The below outlines some considerations for a productive season.

Disease Susceptibility As temperatures and humidity increase, crop canopy diseases become more prevalent.

Identifying symptoms and knowing when and how to effectively control diseases is an ongoing challenge for a grower, but essential. Growers should consider trial data and regional trends in evaluating risk.

It is also important to understand the environmental ‘trigger points’ of these diseases. This will pay dividends when it comes to fungicide investment in product choice, rate and timing. There is an abundance of industry research conducted around which fungicide actives are most effective against crop diseases – a fundamental resource for growers. For more information, speak to your local Elders agronomist.

Crop Monitoring During this quieter period, and before the busy spring agenda, it is a good time to take observations of your crops to see what has been most effective and least effective this season. This might involve checking for

14

eldersrural.com.au

weed control, product crop effect, soil disease patches and nutritional deficiencies. For rye grass and milk thistle, if you have the opportunity to resistance test before harvest, do so – it is more accurate and timely.

It is also important to note that crop-topping windows open and close very quickly. Making the decision to top early will be beneficial.

Locking in Labour With COVID-19 travel restrictions having an impact right across the supply chain, one of the most critical aspects of farm operation is the availability of labour coming up to harvest. Plan early to identify any potential risks with resourcing gaps and work to adapt rostering and workloads accordingly.

The Elders business has been built around primary producers and their needs throughout the production cycle. We have built a team of dedicated agribusiness experts to help you achieve your goals to maximise your farm’s potential.

For more information on how Elders can support you this spring, contact your local Elders branch.

Crop Protection

THE BIG PROBLEM: REDUCED YIELD DUE TO STRESS Stoller Australia

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.

“Environmental stress has been identified as a major issue in the Australian agriculture industry.”

Stoller Australia’s Technical Manager, Domenic Cavallaro, has conducted numerous trials on one of Stoller’s proprietary products, Bio-Forge. Bio-Forge works to maintain the genetic potential of plants, improve growth, and increase yield in a variety of crops.

With favourable results across broadacre, field and greenhouse, and tree and vine, Bio-Forge is proving to reduce the effects of stress on a large range of crops.

In a program with optimum nutrition, Bio-Forge can help to maximise the genetic potential of the crop. This will result in increased yield and profit. “Bio-Forge has demonstrated again and again the improvement that it can have on yield across a variety of crops, which is really 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.

Stoller is a global company celebrating 50 years throughout the world and 25 years in Australia. We are comprised of over 1000 agricultural professionals worldwide. Our mission is to cultivate a customer orientated agricultural company that offers exceptional value to growers and stakeholders through shared knowledge, continued innovation and integrity.

Stoller products are based on an in-depth knowledge of plant physiology, nutrient interaction and practical applications to increase quality and yield in a variety of crops. Stoller are committed to researching: • How to maintain healthy crops and micronutrient levels throughout the growth cycle of the plant.

• Establishing healthier plants which are more prepared to deal with the effects of stress under a variety of conditions.

Based in Adelaide, South Australia, with representatives and dealers throughout the country, we are committed to manufacturing high quality liquid fertilisers, nutrients, and other specialty products that assist crops to reach their full potential. Our Australian team undertake trials and demonstrations throughout the country to deeply understand the way our products impact plant potential in a variety of conditions.

Stoller employ skilled representatives that work nationwide with growers, agronomists and distributors.

Our team are dedicated to understanding how crops respond to Australian environments and this allows us to constantly innovate and develop our knowledge.

Stoller assists agronomists, consultants, and growers to maximise yield potential. We have experience in and a deep understanding of a wide variety of crops including pasture, cereals, broadacre, horticulture, tropical, and tree crops. Stoller products contain innovative proprietary technology that is proven to ensure optimum plant development. In combination with proper nutrition and good farming practices, the result is enhanced marketable yield and significant return on investment.

For more information on Stoller products, contact your local Elders dealer. *For more information on Stoller’s Bio-Forge trials and rates of application, please contact Stoller Australia, info@stoller.com.au or FREECALL 1800 337 845. **In conjunction with Stoller’s Foli-Zyme.

A Summary of Bio-Forge Trial Results

Bio-Forge applications resulted in 23% more marketable tubers and 15.7% more marketable weight than the control. A 7.1 Bio-Forge on tonne per hectare yield leads to a return on Potatoes* investment of $15 to every $1 spent.** BioForge can help restore nutrient status and normal plant growth.

Applied at sowing, the mean biomass weight increased by 19% and mean seed yield saw a Bio-Forge on 13% increase. Return on investment of $4.8 Faba Beans* to every $1 spent. Bio-Forge can increase the natural vigorous growth of young plants.

Bio-Forge can assist in regrowth of shoots after frost. Applied on wine grapes after frost, Bio-Forge on there were 3.4 more bunches per vine than the Wine Grapes* control. A 31% increase in yield lead to a return on investment of $6.25 to every $1 spent.

17

Fencing

WARATAH FENCING – STILL THE BEST AUSTRALIAN MADE FENCING Waratah have been working with Australian farmers since 1884, back when product was manufactured at its mill in Sydney, NSW. After 136 years Waratah is still at the forefront of delivering innovative fencing technologies that help producers remain productive. As the only vertically integrated fencing company in Australia, Waratah premium quality fence products are made across numerous facilities throughout Australia, employing hundreds of Australians at each step of the process.

The Waratah fencing system consists of 3 key categories – wire, posts & accessories. The longest serving zinc/ aluminium fence wire in Australia is Longlife Blue colour wire – proven in the field and the lab for over 20 years, farmers know they have the best wire money can buy when they see the distinctive blue colour, which is a registered trademark.

Waratah Jio posts are the only posts made in Australia, every other fencing company imports their Y posts from China. All our accessories are made to make any fencing job easier and more effective.

18

eldersrural.com.au

Waratah has been registered with the Australian Made initiative for decades and proudly displays the green & gold logo. The logo embodies quality and commitment to consistency, with 99% of people in a recent poll saying they recognise and trust the logo to deliver quality.

Since covid in February, there has been a rush by many companies to register for Australian Made - Australian patriotism & supporting out mates is important to us all.

Waratah also embodies the Australian ideals of mateship, integrity and compassion for those in need.

Waratah always lend assistance when its needed & the recent bushfires across Australia were no different, with support of Blaze Aid through product donations, build days & training sessions on the simplicity of the Waratah fencing system for Blaze Aid volunteers. The volunteers are generally unskilled in the finer art of fencing, but after a few sessions with a local Waratah representative, the backpackers (& others) are on their way, building much needed boundary fences for farmers in desperate need. Waratah also has a branded trailer of fencing equipment that is providing support where it is needed.

If you think you have what it takes to help rebuild fencing, Blaze aid still has a lot of work to do visit www.blazeaid.com.au and click on “Lend a hand” for more information.

MEANS

Australian Made "Supporting essential Australian industries, rural communities & Australian farmers since 1884.”

SEE WHAT

FENCING CAN MEAN FOR YOU

waratahfencing.com.au

NEW PRODUCT

LONGLIFE BLUE® WIRE DROPPER Increase the strength of your plain or barbed wire fence with Waratah’s new Longlife Blue® wire droppers.

For more information visit www.waratahfencing.com.au or call our customer service at 13 10 80.

Control key pests in pome fruit, stone fruit, almonds and macadamias with new Vayego® insecticide.

• Strong against listed moths, weevils and beetles • Proven activity on all life stages • Stops feeding damage quickly with systemic action and long residual efficacy • Soft on key beneficial insects, including beneficial mites* • Short withholding period

For full information on pest spectrum and IPM profile, visit vayego.com.au or speak to your advisor. *When used as directed.

Bayer CropScience Pty Ltd, ABN 87 000 226 022, Level 1, 8 Redfern Road, Hawthorn East, Victoria 3123. Technical Enquiries 1800 804 479. crop.bayer.com.au Vayego ® is a Registered Trademark of the Bayer Group.

Crop Protection

A NEW TOOL FOR POME FRUIT, STONE FRUIT, ALMOND AND MACADAMIA GROWERS. Vayego® 200 SC Insecticide for controlling key pests such as codling moth, carpophilus beetle, apple weevil and Mediterranean fruit fly.

With a brand-new registration, Vayego ® 200 SC Insecticide from Bayer is now available to pome fruit, stone fruit, almond and macadamia growers.

“Vayego provides excellent efficacy against a range of key pests such as codling moth, light brown apple moth, oriental fruit moth, carpophilus beetle, garden weevil, Fuller’s rose weevil, apple weevil and Mediterranean fruit fly. Vayego offers a new versatile option for growers to incorporate into their seasonal pest management program” says Troy Mulcahy, Market Development Agronomist for Bayer.

Vayego 200 SC is a liquid formulation containing the active ingredient tetraniliprole, a Group 28 Diamide insecticide which is a new active ingredient to fruit and nut growers in Australia. With over 4000 trials performed globally, as well as a rigorous trial program in Australia, Vayego has demonstrated excellent efficacy across the lepidoptera, coleoptera and diptera species targeted. These trials have shown that Vayego has some attractive properties that contribute to its versatility, safety, and strength in performance. One of which is the fact that it is active on all life stages of lepidopteran pests such as codling moth, from eggs through to adults. While the main control comes from larval ingestion, eggs can also be affected when laid on treated leaves and fruit, or if they have already been laid, and are then treated with Vayego.

Rapid feeding cessation is also a feature. In the case of codling moth the larvae lose muscle control, become immobile, and cease feeding almost immediately after ingestion, giving the benefit of less damaged fruit.

Vayego is also locally systemic which ensures distribution throughout the leaf, helping to maximise protection.

“The broad pest spectrum of Vayego allows it to target multiple pests within crops like stone and pome fruit.

In addition to controlling key moth species Vayego provides further options for regionally problematic pests such as carpophilus beetle, multiple weevil species and Mediterranean fruit fly. For some of these pests, Vayego provides a new mode of action and the short withholding period provides further flexibility to growers” adds Troy.

For best practice resistance management, it is important that Vayego is used as part of a seasonal pest control program that incorporates other chemistries with different modes of action. Trials have also shown Vayego to be a good fit for IPM programs, as it is soft on key beneficial species, including beneficial mites, when used as directed. Over many years of trials, Vayego has also shown a high level of crop safety, both when applied on its own, or when mixed with a range of tankmix partners.

For more information on using Vayego, contact your Bayer Territory Business Manager, local crop protection supplier or visit vayego.com.au Vayego ® is a registered trademark of the Bayer Group.

IMAGES — Bottom: Codling moth damage in apples Top Right: Carpophilus beetle damage in almonds 21

Australia’s first real-time predictive pest network is now live!

Powered by

The Trapview Predictive Pest Network utilises revolutionary technology to provide an innovative, simplified solution for monitoring insect populations.

Scan here for more information

• Australia-wide network of 500+ remote Trapview smart traps • Targeting key insect pests of Australian agriculture • Pest pressure insight for optimised choice and precise timing of control options • Time saving tool to compliment in-paddock pest monitoring • Contact your local Elders agronomist to find out more

®Registered trademark of an ADAMA Agricultural Solutions Company.

Technology

REAL-TIME PREDICTIVE IN-PADDOCK PEST MONITORING NETWORK GAME CHANGER A new unique pest monitoring network is set to dramatically improve insect monitoring and crop checking processes for growers and agronomists across Australia.

The Trapview Predictive Pest Network developed by ADAMA, launches to the market this month as part of the company’s ongoing drive to provide Australian growers and agronomists with the latest AgTech solutions to support improved productivity.

ADAMA has been working with the Trapview technology in Australia for over seven years and can now offer Australian agriculture the first integrated network of smart insect traps for predicting pest pressure. Trapview utilises revolutionary technology in a fully integrated system to provide an innovative, simplified solution for monitoring insect populations.

It operates by capturing images and providing digital recognition of lured pests using Trapview smart traps.

Pest populations and their dynamics are then shared across the network of traps allowing for near real time monitoring of pest movements across a large area.

ADAMA Australia AgTech & Innovation Manager, Andrew Newall describes the network as a game changer for pest monitoring which will compliment crop checking activity in the paddock, providing additional insight across a wider geography.

“We’re excited to launch the first of its kind Trapview Predictive Pest Network to the Australian market.

“The network will provide agronomists and growers with near real time insight on pest activity within their region, allowing greater understanding of pest pressure, optimised choice and precise timing of control options,” says Andrew.

“Subscribers will not only receive pest information within their region but also state based pest pressure for the network they subscribe to, saving agronomists time when monitoring crops for insect activity, as well as allowing more effective communication with their growers.”

The ADAMA Trapview Predictive Pest Network will initially launch for four keys pests across key growing regions in Australia, including Helicoverpa (armigera & punctigera), Green Mirid, Diamond Black Moth and Codling Moth. The entire network will consist of some 500+ remote traps that will initially span from Central Queensland all the way around to South Australia with the capacity for network expansions over the next year.

IMAGES — Top: Andrew Newall, ADAMA Australia’s AgTech & Innovation Manager Top Right: ADAMA’s Trapview Predictive Pest Network throughout Australia. Existing networks will be expanded and new networks will continue to be added each year.

23

“The entire network will consist of some 500+ remote traps that will initially span from Central Queensland all the way around to South Australia with the capacity for network expansions over the next year.”

Casey Onus, Agronomist at B&W Rural in Moree who was heavily involved in the trial phase of the Green Mirid network in Northern NSW says the major learning from last season was that they can utilise technology to increase the efficiency of their scouting, making them more productive as agronomists.

“We found the accuracy of the Trapview units was good, they matched what we were seeing with our scouting in the field. We had a couple of traps which picked up mirids before we were able to find them in the field which was reassuring and gave us confidence in the units working,” says Casey.

“The density of the Trapview network gave us a lot of assurance in the data. Before having the Trapview units in the field we

suspected we were getting a lot of mirids flying into the crop, but with Trapview we were able to see that they were actually building up in the crop.

Photographs are captured daily and are then archived using a cloudbased system, allowing users to be aware of the pest situation in the field.

“You’re only scouting twice a week, so you don’t know what you’re not getting. Having the Trapview units gave us the confidence that we weren’t missing anything.”

“We’re constantly looking for opportunities to align AgTech developments with our crop protection products to deliver an overall package which adds greater value and user experience for our customers,” says Andrew.

Results can be accessed on desktop and mobile devices via the Trapview App, with the system providing rapid pest alerts to the licensed user allowing awareness of the pest situation near them, enabling a more timely and strategic application of control options. They will also receive daily and weekly reports detailing pest detection, pest movement and development stages.

For further information on ADAMA’s Trapview Predictive Pest Network or other AgTech solutions, visit www.adama.com/ microsite/agtech or contact your local Elders agronomist.

IMAGES — Top: A sample Trapview Predictive Network online report showing Helicoverpa (armigera) pressure in SA. 24

eldersrural.com.au

NOW REGISTERED FOR USE ON

LETTUCE

Controls the following lettuce pests: • Helicoverpa • Cluster Caterpillar • Western Flower Thrips

Suitable for use on field grown head and leafy lettuce (not hydroponic lettuce). See label and booklet for further details before application.

TITAN AG Pty Ltd. Tel 02 9999 6655. titanag.com.au

Crop Protection

COMBAT FUNGAL DISEASE WITH CONFIDENCE USING BELANT Y Grape and apple growers across Australia have a new global DMI standard in fungal disease control and resistance management this season, thanks to novel formulation chemistry from BASF. Being fast-acting and long-lasting, Belanty is a breakthrough DMI fungicide with a unique chemical structure that gives excellent control against powdery mildew in wine and table grapes. It has also been approved for use against black spot in apples, with a powdery mildew registration coming soon. “Belanty is an exciting advance in crop protection, giving growers more confidence and flexibility in producing top quality fruit that meets strict market specifications,” said Serge Usatov, Horticulture Portfolio Manager at BASF Australia.

“So many factors are beyond our control, but Belanty not only does everything an old DMI would do but has also been formulated specifically to meet today’s consumer and environmental expectations.”

The fungicide has fast plant uptake, resulting in excellent rainfastness, then the active ingredient is slowly released into the leaf tissue, which gives longer residual activity. Importantly, Belanty has a broader application window than other DMIs, and maximum residue limits (MRLs) have already been approved for export to the EU. “Belanty is the only DMI fungicide of its type and features innovative chemistry that enables it to bind tightly to fungal pathogens within the plant cells. You only get one chance a year at growing a profitable crop, so you want to get it right,” added Usatov.

The active ingredient in Belanty is Revysol (mefentrifluconazole), a new molecule first discovered

26

eldersrural.com.au

by BASF, and subsequently registered in major markets worldwide, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. “The molecule’s ability to change shape once inside the plant tissue means it can control pathogen strains that are resistant to traditional DMI fungicides,” said Mark Dicks, Senior Technical Services Specialist, BASF Australia. “All other DMI molecules to date have been rigid. Revysol is flexible and adaptable.

With DMI resistance developing worldwide, this is a critical characteristic that will help producers better manage their spray programs to reduce the risk of resistance and assist in prolonging the efficacy of existing chemistry.”

For grapes, up to three alternating or two consecutive applications per season of Belanty at 80 mL/100 L water are recommended as part of a complete disease control program for powdery mildew. Belanty must be applied to grapes as a preventative disease spray program, prior to disease infection periods. The label rate is the same (80 mL/100L water) for use against black spot in apples, with applications commencing post spurburst .

As with any Group 3 fungicide, it is important to rotate chemistry groups to reduce disease resistance in the crop, per the Croplife Australia Resistance Management Strategy.

For more detail, contact your crop protection advisor or visit crop-solutions.basf.com.au.

CONFIDENCE GROWS HERE

Introducing a new level of confidence in DMIs New Belanty fungicide gives you a new level of confidence in the control of black spot in apples. Setting a new global standard for DMI’s, Belanty provides up to 100 times stronger enzyme binding than other DMI’s and is able to control resistant target disease populations. After years of research, Belanty is the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for.

Find out more at crop-solutions.basf.com.au ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. © Copyright BASF 2020 ® Registered trademark of BASF. W244376 05.2020

NEW high-strength glufosinate herbicide

Ef fective broad-spectrum weed control suitable for orchards & vineyards High strength soluble granule no drums to recycle, less product to handle Superior surfactant technology for a quality, low-foam formulation From UPL, a global leader in glufosinate production

www.upl-ltd.com/au TM

Fascinate is a registered trademark of UPL Australia Pty Ltd

Crop Protection

NEW HIGH STRENGTH GRANULE GLUFOSINATE HERBICIDE RELEASED A new high strength glufosinate herbicide with unique surfactant technology is now available from UPL, a global leader in glufosinate production.

Fascinate™ DRY Herbicide (500 g/kg glufosinate ammonium), a high-load, non-selective post-emergent herbicide providing broad spectrum weed control of grasses, broadleaf weeds and vines, will be available from rural resellers in September.

compatibility with other herbicides. The high strength formulation means there is less product to transport, handle and store. UPL is a leading global supplier of glufosinate, producing glufosinate technical from the start to the final formulated and packaged product.

Ian Cass, UPL Australia marketing manager, said that the latest high strength version of Fascinate is a soluble granule with superior surfactant technology.

“We’ve developed a granular formulation with excellent solubility and efficacy that we believe is second to none,” he said. “Our new formulation is the highest strength glufosinate in the market, at nearly twice the strength of Fascinate 280.”

UPL has developed a new patented synthesis pathway for producing a pure active isomer glufosinate technical.

The result is a high-load product with equivalent efficacy, positioning them in a low cost leadership position globally. “As a global leader in glufosinate technology UPL have invested heavily in modern manufacturing facilities in the USA and India,” said Mr Cass, “and are poised to increase glufosinate capacity.”

Australian trial results show new Fascinate DRY Herbicide to be equivalent to Basta® herbicide in controlling grass and broadleaf weeds in orchard environments and for fallow weed control in cropping systems. Mr Cass said that as well as providing comparable efficacy in local trials, the new formulation offers superior quality and usability.

“Having ownership from the very start allows us to provide a quality product with a reliable and consistent supply to the Australian market.” Fascinate DRY Herbicide is highly suitable for use in plantations and vineyards because of its eco-safety and tree safety characteristics, with very limited translocation in plants and minimal uptake through the lignified parts of woody plants. When used appropriately, it controls even the toughest C4 grasses.

“Fascinate DRY Herbicide offers growers a number of benefits compared to standard glufosinate formulations,” he said. “It has a built in surfactant and is low foaming, making it easy to use and handle.” The new herbicide is conveniently packaged in five kilogram resealable packs, with two packs per ten kilogram box, and a handy cardboard pourer included for measuring.

“Not only have we reduced the bulk of product to handle, but we’ve removed the hassle of needing to store and recycle chemical drums,” Mr Cass said.

He added that the granules also mixed easily in water.

“Dilution stability tests show that even in hard water, Fascinate DRY Herbicide demonstrates good solubility without separating or depositing sediment, making it easy to use in the paddock.”

Dilution stability tests using hard water 20 ppm and 500 ppm with Fascinate DRY Herbicide resulted in 0.0 % separation and 0.0 % sedimentation after 24 hours. As well as mixing readily in water, it is also an excellent tank mix partner to widen weed control, and has good

It is important to consider the weed species, weed stage of growth, weed density and climatic conditions when using Fascinate DRY Herbicide. “The same rules of thumb apply to using Fascinate DRY Herbicide as they do for using and getting the most out of Fascinate 280,” said Mr Cass. “You should always read the label before use, but some general tips to get the best out of glufosinate include selecting the right rate for the weeds you need to control, spraying when it’s warm and humid, maximising the spray drying time, and ensuring thorough coverage of weeds.”

Glufosinate herbicides penetrate into leaves only while the spray deposit remains moist. Therefore it is especially important that spray coverage, droplet size and climatic conditions allow for maximum spray penetration and uptake to achieve optimal effect. The best results are therefore achieved when Fascinate DRY Herbicide is applied in good growing conditions and by maximising spray drying time.

IMAGES — Top: New Fascinate DRY Herbicide (Trial photos) Weed control in Mangoes, Toowoomba QLD, summer 2019/20.

Before application and 27 days after application of 2kg/ha 29

Technology

PRECISION AG: HOW TO GO FROM JUMBLED NUMBERS TO MEANINGFUL ANSWERS Data collected from Precision Agriculture (PA) tools can deliver more insight than ever and yet many producers find themselves faced with the frustration of feeling that these tools often pose more questions than answers.

Collecting and interpreting data from spatial tools is one of the easier steps in applying a PA system on farm. The next step is to convert the acquired knowledge into a well thought out plan that provides an appropriate solution to a problem or objective we are trying to achieve.

By having good understanding of the way data is collected and its limitations for use, you will understand that there is no absolute right or wrong way to use PA tools or the information that they generate. There is no textbook approach to converting the data into a solution, but the way you choose to interpret the data will affect your outcome. What you are planning to do with the information will impact several factors: > The technology you are comfortable with, > The machinery and associated hardware that you have already or are willing to invest in, and > the goal you are trying to achieve.

For many people, the solutions are obvious and implementing agronomic or management change will undoubtedly be advantageous. However, for others, defining a clear and beneficial solution may be more challenging. It is important to realise that PA is not for everyone. Applying spatial tools to existing management practices needs to have purpose, and not be undertaken because you feel it’s something ‘you must do’.

The crux is that sometimes the data just does not warrant the need for alternate management strategies.

In this case, consider the data collection effort as a

30

eldersrural.com.au

very useful exercise, as it leads to the confirmation of existing practices.

Lastly, variable rate application should not be the goal; it is another tool that helps you achieve the goal of optimising your production and profitability. Soil layers are one of the more useful data layers in PA. While yield data effectively captures how variability impacts the crop, it does not identify what is the actual cause of variability itself. Some crop variability can be attributed to management practices, agronomy and weather; however, a significant degree of variability relates to how the crop is responding to changes in soil conditions.

The changes in physical and chemical attributes of the soil within each field contributes significantly (but not in isolation) to the variability. Hence why PA should be considered a science, with a focus on the bigger picture.

Prior to the introduction of soil mapping instruments, agriculture relied solely on soil testing methods to characterise soil types.

Now we can measure and map soil properties at many locations in a field using vehicle mounted sensors.

Sensors successfully increase the sampling rate, making them more reliable than soil testing alone and can easily be used to create accurate soil maps. There are several automated soil mapping instruments available which successfully map agricultural soils in Australia.

To continue reading the remainder of this article, click here.

Give your crop the X factor

5-STAR PROTECTION. 5-STAR APPEAL. ROBUST CONTROL

RAPID UPTAKE

LASTING CONTROL

STRONGER YIELDS

APPLICATION FLEXIBILITY

from two active ingredients

with excellent rainfastness

with steady active release

through extra crop vitality

and low residue profile

Find out more at crop-solutions.basf.com.au or simply call your local store.

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. © Copyright BASF 2020 ® Registered trademark of BASF.

News

NEW APPROACH NEEDED TO REALISE AGRICULTURE’S POTENTIAL Agribusiness leaders from across Australia have come together to identify how the sector can overcome critical challenges and unlock opportunities for the future, reframing the way the industry tackles the coming decade.

Agribusiness Australia’s State of the Industry Report, launched at July’s CEO Summit, outlined that on current projections, Australian agriculture is going to fall $12bn short of its 2030 $100bn target for agricultural production - unless the sector revamps the way it operates.

Agribusiness Australia President and Elders Managing Director and CEO Mark Allison said an industry-wide approach was essential, not only on Australia’s farms but across the agribusiness value chain.

“The bottom line is that for every dollar that is created on farm, two are created through the

32

eldersrural.com.au

supply chain,” he said. “That is why we need to clarify, validate and build on the current farmgate target to encompass a $300bn value chain target, driving innovation and efficiency that benefits the entire industry. This will expand on the value achieved by farmers from R&D to the consumers, enhancing logistics and infrastructure, supporting manufacturing and food processing, and driving investment in retail and export markets.

“That’s why Agribusiness Australia brought together leaders of the top 50 balance sheets in agribusiness, to look at these industry growth targets, and address how we can achieve the industry’s potential,” he said.

Agribusiness Australia’s State of the Industry report shows that while Australian agriculture is vibrant and strong, the sector is not growing as fast as our competitors and is losing market share to emerging markets such as South America and the Baltic States. To change this, the industry must build a transformational plan to invest efficiently > Continue to attract new domestic and foreign investment to our most sustainable and highgrowth commodities > Invest intelligently throughout the supply chain to drive a more efficient multiplier effect > Embrace environmental, social and government (ESG) risk identification and management, imbedding sustainability into all areas of the agribusiness supply chain, particularly in water stewardship, turning ESG into a sustainable competitive advantage > Optimise the use of AgTech to help reverse declining productivity growth > Prioritise physical and digital infrastructure investment across transport, logistics and communications > Diversify market access, harnessing global Free Trade Agreements while finding the right balance between commodities and niche markets > Find and attract a qualified, high-calibre workforce Mr Allison said that this holistic long term, outcomesbased transformational plan will govern strategic decision-marking in innovation, investment in R&D and profitability across the sector. “We need a national framework, focusing on agricultural R&D settings, infrastructure investment and the frameworks that will attract capital, particularly from foreign investors,” he said.

“A rebalanced agricultural Australian RD&E system that looks beyond individual commodities to a total value chain approach to investment will also deliver a broader benefit to Australian agriculture.

“As part of that, we must prioritise logistics, connectivity and transport infrastructure and ag tech investment; and embed sustainability into areas of the agribusiness supply chain.

“Above all, we need to bring primary producers, corporations, downstream organisations, representational organisations, RDC’s, CSIRO, universities, State and Federal Governments together to develop this long-term, detailed, directed, outcomes-based transformational plan. “That’s what today is all about, reframing the future of the sector” he said.

Speakers at the CEO Summit discussed several topics on how Australia’s agribusiness sector could adapt, to generate growth for the future.

John Lloyd, Agribusiness Australia board member and ex-CEO of Horticulture Innovation Australia, Case New Holland and a General Manager with Incitec Pivot, said that Australia needs a cross- sectoral, industry-led plan to overcome the barriers to growth, right across the value chain.

“A good national plan should be about two issues, beefing up Australia’s national accounts over a decade and supporting the social fabric of rural and regional Australia,” he said. “It must outline where you want to be, and set investment and policy decisions to achieve that goal. For instance, Israel mandated they would recycle 80 per cent of waste water into agriculture – there was a policy decision, and an investment mechanism in innovation to achieve those policy goals.

“In Australia, there are industries that have the potential to grow by 50 to 100 per cent in the coming years, and there are those that don’t have that same potential.

“There is opportunity hive off investment dollars across the investment spectrum, from the RDCs, CSIRO, CRCs, Universities and the State Governments, directly into growth industries from farmgate through the value chain. That would give us a chance,” he said.

Georgie Aley, Agribusiness Australia board member and Director, Food & Agribusiness, KPMG stated that ESG investment could deliver a competitive advantage for Australian agriculture, building on our market position with strong sustainability credentials.

“We can attract investment through measurable, accountable and transparent sustainability reporting, seeking preferred supplier status in markets not only by leveraging our clean and green status but through broader social components such as human rights and other ESG components.”

Mark Barber, Treasurer of Agribusiness Australia, highlighted the importance of transparency of information in reporting, and the ability to attract investment. “If you look to the US, the USDA and a number of emerging private companies do an excellent job of providing important statistics that potential investors can use to benchmark various investment options,” Mr Barber said.

“We need to think about providing a level of transparency that allows good investment choices to be made,” he said. A briefing paper is now being produced following the summit, providing a focus for Agribusiness Australia’s advocacy in the future, on behalf of the industry.

For more information please visit www.agribusiness.asn.au

33

Crop Protection

ENDOPRIME AND INTUIT Y SHINE AT VIRTUAL FIELD DAYS Like many large public gatherings, The East Gippsland Vegetable Innovation Days (EGVID) were set to become another victim of Covid-19. Showing however, that Innovation was more than just a snappy title, the organisers managed to livestream the event with growers being guided on virtual walks through various trial sites. It was here that two products from Sumitomo stood out.

Jack Bartels, Territory Sales Manager for Sumitomo, lead viewers through a couple of trial plots. The first plots showed rows of Cos lettuce, one of which had been treated with EndoPrime, a soil enhancement product containing Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF). Jack explained that AMF are beneficial fungi that occur naturally in the soil where they form a symbiotic relationship with plants.

EndoPrime contains four high performing AMF species that have been proven to increase crop productivity, overall plant and soil health and nutrient availability.

He went on to say that in normal farming operations, the AMF in the soil can be depleted over time, especially after drought or when following certain crops such as spinach, mustard or cabbages for example. These crops do not act as hosts for mycorrhizae, therefore the mycorrizae can die off and will need to be replenished to provide the next crop the best opportunity to flourish.

Jack went on to show the treated and untreated rows and the difference was marked. In the untreated row, a number of the lettuce were stunted and had stopped growing and showed there was no uniformity of size and shape. The treated row displayed consistently large, full, healthy lettuce which would deliver good returns at sale.

34

eldersrural.com.au

The second plot Jack displayed showed Iceberg lettuce that had been treated with Intuity fungicide which controls Sclerotinia in lettuce and green beans. Intuity has the active ingredient Mandestrobin, a novel fungicide from the Strobilurin family which has efficacy on all stages of the sclerotinia lifecycle. The patented latex formulation of Intuity has been developed to aid with rainfastness. The ‘latex adjuvant’ helps to stick the active ingredient onto the plant meaning more of the active ingredient at the point of protection for a longer period.

As Jack walked through the trial plot, he explained that due to the local conditions, there had not been much sclerotinia through the site but was able to point out in the untreated plot, a number of lettuces that were attacked had died.

The EGVID field days demonstrated that innovation can get things done even in the face of a global pandemic, while the Intuity and Endoprime trial sites demonstrated that product innovation from Sumitomo can ensure high performing crops for Australian vegetable growers.

Goes where roots can’t.

KEY AREAS ENDOPRIME HAS BEEN SHOWN TO IMPACT:

Extend your roots well beyond their natural range with EndoPrime®.

With high performing mycorrhizae strains and a bio stimulant included, EndoPrime vastly increases the foraging ability of your roots while boosting crop productivity.

• Crop yield • Root and shoot biomass • N, P, K and trace element uptake • Water uptake during moisture stress • Improved soil structure • Plant performance in variable soil environments • Soil health • Australian Organic Certified

www.sumitomo-chem.com.au ® EndoPrime is the registered trademark of Sumitomo Chemical Australia.

RESIDUAL AND BURNDOWN CONTROL WITH FLEXIBILITY • Reduced growth competition coupled with short re-cropping cycles gives growers more control over their crops.

VALOR COTTON CONSCIOUS

• Removes weed pressure in fallow and the need for multiple sprays.

• More options, less sprays.

Scan here to see more information about Valor 500WG Herbicide

www.sumitomo-chem.com.au Valor® is the registered trademark of Sumitomo Chemical Company, Japan.

Crop Protection

VALOR BRINGS FLEXIBILIT Y TO SUMMER WEED CONTROL Valor® herbicides residual used in fallow and prior to planting summer crops offers outstanding flexibility in crops grown and boosts efforts in combating herbicide resistance.

Valor herbicide is becoming very well known for its effective pre - emergent (residual) control of a broad range of problem weeds in fallow and prior to planting summer crops. Valor offers excellent residual control (8 weeks +) of problem weeds such as Barnyard Grass, Feathertop Rhodes Grass, Fleabane and Milk Thistle, even against glyphosate resistant strains. Valor is also known for its ability to boost the knockdown weed control of non-selective herbicides when used at lower spike rates. Additionally, Valor is now part of the Roundup Ready Plus cotton program and eligible for substantial cash rebates to the grower.

Sumitomo agrosolutions point out there are no other Group G (PPO mode of action) herbicides registered for this residual use in fallow and prior to summer crops and there is no recorded resistance in Australia to Group G herbicides, making Valor an excellent option for resistance management. With the steady increase in herbicide resistance in mixed cropping areas and the need for more flexible weed control strategies, growers and agronomists have a highly flexible and effective tool at their disposal with Valor. Ticking all the key boxes for mixed cropping systems, Valor offers the ability to be used prior to a large range of crops, it has short and flexible re-cropping intervals (prior to summer and winter crops), it controls key problem weeds and controls weeds resistant to other herbicides.

Valor’s short plant backs to most summer crops make it a highly convenient choice given the drought conditions many growers experienced in recent years and the need for flexibility in crop choices that have occurred as a result. Valor’s short plant-back requirements enable growers to respond quickly to opportunities including salvaging failed crops and being able to quickly plant alternate crops where needed. As seen in the table below, no plant-back period is required for Soybeans, Faba Beans and Peanuts while other crops such as Cotton, Sorghum, Maize, Navy Beans, Field Peas and Chickpeas, only require a short plant-back period and just 15 mm of rain prior to planting.

This is in great contrast to some other residual herbicides which can literally tie-up farming country for years, locking growers into growing only a narrow set of crops over an extended period (until rainfall and lengthy time requirements have been met). Valor is a Godsend in this regard, allowing growers the flexibility to grow a wide mix of crops weather they are coming out of drought conditions or not. Conserving moisture is critical any time of the year and a product like Valor that can help

remove weed pressure in fallow but also offer carryover residual protection into the emerging crop is a valuable option for growers. This value is especially evident when Valors lack of any highly restrictive long plant-backs and its strong fit within herbicide resistance management strategies are recognised.

Valor also has excellent credentials with respect to soil health, being proven to have minimal affect on beneficial soil biology, particularly mycorrhizae which is so beneficial to most summer crops like sorghum, mungbeans, corn and cotton. Growers considering inoculating their crop with a mycorrhizae inoculant like EndoFuse this summer or their beans with a rhizobium inoculant can be confidence that Valor has no negative impact with these organisms. Sumitomo encourage customers of Elders to try Valor this coming season so they can see how effective it is for increasing their cropping flexibility while managing resistance and ultimately improving the returns from their farming operations.

A Summary of the new residual uses for Valor Herbicide At Planting

Peanuts and Soybean. Pre-plant (280g) or PSPE (210g)

1 month pre-sowing

Pigeon Pea, Maize, Sorghum and Navybean (210 – 28)

2 month pre-sowing

Cotton, Sunflower and Mungbeans (210 – 280g)

Channel banks

(560 – 700g)

IMAGES — Top: Valor provides excellent residual control of feathertop Rhodes grass and other difficult to control weeds.

37

Crop Protection

A NEW GENERATION 100% NON-IONIC SURFACTANT WETOUT®

Reduced application rate, reduced drift, improved herbicide performance, superior spreading. For decades BS1000 has been the leading non-ionic surfactant standard across Australia and New Zealand. After extensive research, SST has developed a new standard – a new generation non-ionic surfactant ‘Wetout®’.

Wetout® is a unique proprietary formulation of vegetable based surfactants that improves efficacy in every aspect while reducing unwanted negatives such as drift.

The Benefits of Using WETOUT® > SUPERIOR SPREADING – Better coverage > BETTER DEPOSITION – More product on the target > LESS DRIFT – Less loss and better compliance > INCREASED EFFICACY – Less weeds > INCREASED VERSATILITY – Less products needed > LOW USER RATES – Less handling and storage, very cost effective > ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY – Biodegradable

“All the ingredients in Wetout® are biodegradable, meaning they break down into simple, harmless compounds over time.”

Wetout® reaches levels of spreading that were previously only possible by using very expensive organosilicones.

When it comes to spreading, Wetout ® can truly be considered so advanced that it is not even in the same league as conventional non-ionic surfactants. Despite spreading thin, Wetout® retains a long drying and humectancy period, which is important for uptake of glyphosate products.

To achieve best deposition, a surfactant needs to travel to the surface of the droplet fast – the time it takes from leaving the nozzle tip to hitting the target. Wetout® is fast and therefore achieves excellent adhesion to the surface when it hits the target. As a result, bounce and splashing-off is greatly reduced. More product stays on the target!

Drift is an ever-increasing important topic in modern spray application. It does not only have environmental

38

eldersrural.com.au

impacts, but also means loss of product (= loss of efficacy and money). While the old benchmark non-ionic surfactants such as BS1000 increase drift dramatically, the unique blend of Wetout ® does NOT. It reduces drift at around the same level as a well-known lecithin or oil containing drift reduction adjuvants. Independent trials show Wetout ® improves the spray pattern of an EXTREMELY COARSE spray using Turbodrop XL-D 02 at 100L/ha, 3.2 bar. The addition of Wetout® almost tripled the number of droplets to 78 droplets/cm 2 compared to 28 droplets/cm2 when water was used.

The proprietary formulation of surfactants in Wetout ® are more versatile than a single surfactant formulation in the old standard non-ionic wetters. Wetout ® achieves the same or better efficacy at lower rates. It even outperforms specialized wetter such as Wetter TX* on Annual Ryegrass. This means also increased versatility.

Wetout ® is the only all-season non-ionic surfactant that is needed. It is ideal for summer spraying because it increases uptake of glyphosate, spreading of paraquat, and helps to overcome some of the disadvantages of the new EXTREMELY COARSE spray quality regulations for 24-D products.

The old standard wetters are used at 200ml/100L. Wetout® is so superior it can be used at half the rate at 100ml/100L and achieve similar or better results. This means half the volume handled, transported and stored.

Wetout® is a uniquely targeted surfactant package, based on a green, sustainable raw material backbone.

Unlike many adjuvants on the market across ANZ, Wetout® is also free from nonyl phenol ethoxylates#. All the ingredients in Wetout® are biodegradable, meaning they break down into simple, harmless compounds over time, meaning our greener approach today will ensure a greener tomorrow. #NPE’s are banned across Europe and North America because they are endocrine disruptors.

WETOUT

®

A new generation 100% Non-ionic surfactant

The benefits of using WETOUT

®

• SUPERIOR SPREADING – Better coverage

• BETTER DEPOSITION – More product on the target

• LESS DRIFT

– Less loss and better compliance

• INCREASED EFFICACY – Less weeds

• INCREASED VERSATILITY – Less products needed

• LOW USER RATES

– Less handling and storage, very cost effective

• ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY – Biodegradable

SPREADING Wetout® reaches levels of spreading that were previously only possible by using very expensive organosilicones.

Wetout® retains a long drying and humectancy period, important for uptake of glyphosate products.

SST Australia Pty Ltd Ph +61 3 9720 6306 www.sstaustralia.com

SST New Zealand Ph +64 9259 3777 www.sstnewzealand.co.nz

Left: BS1000 at 100mL/100L;

Hairy surface, Middle: Wetout® at 100mL/100L; 0.1mL droplets: Right: No surfactant, water only.

Dial up your mix

mL/ha

Trezac

®

Arylex® active Herbicide

MCPA LVE Up to 580 mL/ha

Trezac

®

Arylex® active HERBICIDE

Starane Advanced ®

Up to 300 mL/ha (210 - 300)

Trezac Arylex active Herbicide allows you to choose the rate and combination of mixing partners that suit your unique weed control requirements.

For more information, speak to your local Territory Manager 1800 700 096 Visit us at corteva.com.au Trademark of Dow AgroSciences, DuPont or Pioneer and their affiliated companies or respective owners.

Always read and follow label directions. ©Copyright 2020 Corteva

®,TM

Crop Protection

TREZAC ARYLEX ACTIVE NOW REGISTERED FOR NORTHERN NSW & QLD Corteva Agriscience is excited to launch the next herbicide in the Arylex active family with the registration of Trezac Arylex active Herbicide.

Trezac partners the spectrum and flexibility of Arylex, with the power and residual of aminopyralid giving it the effectiveness required to control many of the key weeds in the black soil zones of northern New South Wales and Queensland. Dan Dixon, Marketing Director for ANZ and Trezac Product Manager says, “It is the new mix partner of choice for Northern cropping through its ability to bring unrivalled efficacy on hard to kill weeds, while still offering excellent crop selectivity, good rotational flexibility, and outstanding compatibility even with graminicides”.

“Through this combination of actives, we have given growers and their advisors the tool to control many of the most common and nuisance weeds, while at the same time offering the flexibility to customise the mixing partner and its rate to target individual weed issues.

This gives growers the choice to dial up the tank mix partners without being locked into unnecessary actives or ratio combinations which will increase the overall efficacy and residual weed control levels that suit their particular operational needs without needless costs.”

Trezac offers the control of a unique weed spectrum including thistles, climbing buckwheat, deadnettle, flax-leaf fleabane seedlings, and many volunteer legumes. The addition of a mixing partner is required to provide excellent control of some of these weeds with the grower having the ability to choose the partner herbicides and the rates to use. In local trial work Trezac has shown excellent selectivity over winter cereal crops including oats and durum wheat varieties. This will allow growers to utilise Trezac mixtures to control many weeds that previously required the use of chemistries which could cause significant injury to these crops notably

the sulfonyl-urea products, (such as metsulfuron, chlorsulfuron, etc.) or the picloram based products.

In addition, the older chemistries often antagonise the efficacy of grass herbicides. . The excellent compatibility of Trezac brings the benefits of spectrum and without the hang up of antagonism or the lengthy plant back intervals the alternatives have. Compared to some of these chemistries Trezac has a relatively short soil halflife that will allow the planting of many rotational crops for the northern cropping system, the breakdown of Trezac is via microbial degradation in warm (>15°C) moist soils and unlike many alternative products (e.g. SU’s) the Trezac soil breakdown is not significantly influenced by soil pH. Ian Corr, Customer Technology Specialist says “Trezac has performed really well in the trial work that we have conducted at our Breeza Field station in New South Wales and in other sites throughout Northern New South Wales and Queensland. Putting this product up against some of our industry standards like Stinger or Hotshot it’s great to see a new level of control on many weeds without compromising crop selectivity or compatibility” “This year has been a bit unique in trying to physically showcase new herbicides to people, however we will have a virtual trial tour available very soon that can be accessed via our website” Based on the weed spectrum, crop selectivity, compatibility and weed control offered by this unique product, we see Trezac being used as an alternative to many current herbicides including Stinger, Hotshot, picloram and metsulfuron based tank mixes.”

For more information visit our Trezac page on our website Corteva. com.au or call your local Territory Manager 1800 700 096.

41

Crop Protection

AVOID SPRING SURPRISES: BE PROACTIVE ABOUT SNAIL AND SLUG CONTROL. Weather conditions across southeastern Australia this year have favoured snail and slug breeding.

Therefore, it is crucial to start monitoring pest activity and apply baits this spring where needed. In 2018 and 2019, dry autumn/winter conditions across most areas limited snail and slug numbers, reducing the threat to crops. But this season is different.

As the temperature increases in the spring, so too does snail and slug activity. As farmers take advantage of moist conditions and warming soil by sowing spring/summer crops, establishment pests need to be managed.

Slugs become more active and breeding is optimal between 10°C and 16°C (Schley and Bees, 2003). Proactive slug control using an all-weather bait such as Metarex® will be needed directly after sowing spring crops: for example, poppies, maize, mung beans, vegetables, summer fodder and pastures.

The moist conditions allowing slugs to build up numbers during the first half of the year (Fig.1) and in some areas last spring, means an increased threat to spring crops. It is expected perennial crops, such as asparagus, will also need greater protection this season prior to spears emerging to avoid rejection.

Snail breeding is favoured by a wet autumn/winter (Baker et al., 1991; Baker and Hawke, 1990). Large numbers of juvenile snails have been observed in July, despite controls being applied in late March. The late summer rains in most areas of southeastern Australia resulted in snails mating earlier than expected, with brown garden and Italian snails laying eggs by March and hatching by April. Controls applied in April were too late, resulting in large numbers of snails being observed late winter that could contaminate crops this coming harvest.

Control prior to harvest to reduce product contamination (e.g. Italian snails moving into vine canopies late spring) and reinvasion (e.g. garden snails from sprinkler lines into celery) is needed in situations where control in autumn was not achieved. However, application timing may be compromised due to harvest withholding periods. Autumn snail baiting is recommended by the grains industry and in citrus management guidelines, with recent research indicating best results are achieved when adults are actively breeding in autumn (Brodie et al. 2020). Observations so far this season indicate snail populations prior to harvest will be dominated by juveniles, which require a higher dosage of active ingredient to kill.

Using a product such as Metarex that is attractive, has an even size pellet and is highly palatable will ensure a lethal dose is consumed, despite being applied when conditions are not as optimal as recommended.

Applying small pellets in an attempt to control spring snail populations only increases the chance of delivering a sub-lethal dose. Hence, snails will recover and contaminate high value crops such as grapes, citrus, pome fruit, vegetables, cereals, canola, and pulses.

Appreciating the influence of seasonal conditions on snail and slug populations, diligently monitoring pest activity and applying a bait that works in a range of conditions will result in protecting your crop from damage and maintaining market access by eliminating contamination.

Baker, GH, Hawke, BG (1990) Life History and Population Dynamics of Theba pisana (Mollusca: Helicidae) in a Cereal-Pasture Rotation.

Journal of Applied Ecology 27, 16-29. Baker, GH, Hawke, BG, Vogelzang, BK (1991) Life history and population dynamics of Cochlicella acuta (Müller) (Gastropoda: Helicidae) in a pasture-cereal rotation. Journal of Molluscan Studies 57, 259-266.Brodie H, Baker G, Muirhead K, Perry K (2020) Snail management - learnings from recent studies. GRDC Grains Research Update 2020, Adelaide https://grdc.com.au/__data/ assets/pdf_file/0027/391914/10945-Adelaide-update-proceedings2020-Inter.pdfSchley, D, Bees, MA (2003) Delay dynamics of the slug Deroceras reticulatum, an agricultural pest. Ecological Modelling 162, 177-198.

IMAGES — Top: Australian Rainfall Deciles 1 Jan – 30 Jun 2020.

43

Animal Health

PRIVATE LABELS IN RURAL RETAIL GOOD VALUE OR GETS WHAT YOU PAY FOR? Andrew Dinniss National Private Label Manager

As a rural business owner, running a farming operation is about managing input costs, maximising returns on outputs in fickle markets, all the time with an eye on the weather. Part of managing input costs is ensuring that any product used on your animals or crops gives you the best value for money.

The product may not be the cheapest, but gives you the results that you want, and may come with additional products or services that make your job easier.

Over the last few years, your rural retailer such as Elders will likely have been giving you more options of private label animal health products such as the Pastoral Ag range that can reduce cost and improve value for your farm. However, can you trust them vs offerings from multinational animal health companies? To answer that, we need to look at two areas, firstly the formulation of the products, and secondly where they are manufactured.

In Australia, the government has provided a streamlined registration route for products that have the same formulation as those already registered. Using this route, a company has to demonstrate that their product is identical to the original, satisfy the regulator that the API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) being used meets specifications and is registered, and that the site of manufacture of the finished product is also registered (more on that in a minute). This avoids lengthy and costly animal studies that only demonstrate what should be obvious anyway. This route has allowed numerous competitive products, and whole ranges of private label products to appear on the market when patents have expired. The result, more choice and reduced prices for farmers. However, what about the quality?

In this part of the world, there are limited choices for toll manufacturing of animal health products, and chances are that the private label or generic products are manufactured in the same facility as multinational brands. These facilities must meet government standards (GMP) which includes the facility and equipment, but more importantly the quality assurance (QA) program that oversees it. They must pass audits at

44

eldersrural.com.au

least every 2 years (depending on a number of factors) to ensure standards are met. Further, manufacturing for multinational companies requires meeting often more stringent QA requirements, which lifts quality standards and systems across all production in the facility. So private label products such as Pastoral Ag, which are manufactured by toll manufacturers in Australia, are of a very high standard, passing quality control checks and balances before release for sale to the market.

So how can they be cheaper? Let’s be honest, private label suppliers such as us don’t spend as much money on sales force, technical support teams, marketing campaigns, R&D or offices in expensive city locations.

This enables savings to be passed on to retailers and ultimately to you – the farmer.

While there are always many that value the offerings of the multinational animal health companies, particularly innovative new products, the market share of private label products has been growing over the last few years and will continue to do so as patent protection expires, and private label ranges such as Pastoral Ag grow, offering more choice to Australian farmers. Keep an eye out for the growing range of Pastoral Ag products with a new improved look available exclusively in Elders branches.

Andrew has a 24 year career in animal health in Australia and New Zealand in Sales, Marketing and Product Development roles, for local and Multinational Animal Health Companies as well as Toll Manufacturing. Andrew now manages the private label brands for Animal Health across the Elders Business. (Brands include Pastoral Ag and Hunter River Co)

THE NEW & GROWING

ANIMAL HEALTH RANGE  HIGH QUALITY  GREAT VALUE  MADE FOR AUSSIE FARMERS  EXCLUSIVE TO

Talk to your local Elders team about our

Animal Health Range!

Learn more about our range at pastoralag.com.au Get quick access to product labels, flyers, MSDS sheets and dosing information.

Solutions for key diseases in grapevines FUNGICIDE

50 EW

• Strong vapour & translaminar activity

FOR OPTIMAL POWDERY MILDEW CONTROL, USE FLUTE FOLLOWED BY KUSABI • Strong vapour &

translaminar activity

• Unique mode of action to control resistant strains • Apply to E-L 31 for grapes grown for export wine

• Good residual control • Apply to E-L 31 for grapes grown for export wine

THE PERFECT CROSSOVER

• 2 modes of action • Systemic and non-systemic activity • Safe to beneficials • Highly active forming a protective shield • Rainfast in 1 hour

Innovation. Quality. Solutions. trademark of Nippon Soda Co., Ltd. ® Flute is a registered trademark of Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha Ltd. ® Kusabi is a registeredZampro is a registered trademark of BASF. ®

COMAD200715

®

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT THIS SPRING: SUMMER CROPPING

Every year, northern grain growers heading into summer are presented with several scenarios for the spring season. Below are some considerations for how growers can get the most from the spring season for the best outcome come summer.

Split planting time & varieties Growers have been hit incredibly hard by recent drought, fire, and floods, and must do their best to mitigate the impacts of these adverse weather phenomena. Growers should consider taking a more conservative approach this year by splitting planting time and varieties to reduce the chance of widespread crop loss.

Pre-emergent spraying While most growers should have at least started spraying by now, this process is essential to safeguarding crops from weeds, and ensures accuracy when it comes to feathertop control. The key call out for this year is to ensure that pre-emergents are properly incorporated into the soil before the ability to kill weeds is lost.

Paddock preparation can have a huge impact on which pre-emergent chemicals to consider – particularly with regards to stubble load. Treatment will be less effective if a paddock contains a lot of well-established weeds, causing issues before the spray has even reached the soil.

Fungicide preparation It shouldn’t come as a surprise that fungicide preparation at this stage of the season is paramount – especially for protecting the flag leaf of cereal crops.

Growers must also have the correct fungicide program

in place to prevent crop loss as we approach what is expected to be a heavy wet season.

If this season will be as successful as the experts are predicting, growers will need to be organised when it comes to ordering products and services that support their preparation. This is particularly important this season with the significant volume of crops planted placing a heavy burden on the already compromised supply chain.

Soil core moisture sampling & quality testing A common mistake for growers is to assume that land is high in moisture without testing soil quality, nutritional value and moisture levels. While it is probably too late to begin these processes for the October plantation, growers that are planting later in summer (December) should re-test the quality and nutritional value of the soil now. Every Elders branch will be able to offer soil testing and pouring services.

The Elders business has been built around primary producers and their needs throughout the production cycle. We have built a team of dedicated agribusiness experts to help you achieve your goals to maximise your farm’s potential.

For more information on how Elders can support you this spring, contact your local Elders branch.

47

Technology

GALLAGHER AGDEVICES APP GIVES FARMERS CONFIDENCE AND PEACE OF MIND WITH A COMPLETE VIEW OF FENCE PERFORMANCE The arrival of the new and improved Gallagher AgDevices App provides farmers with the opportunity to receive real-time information and alerts about fence performance directly to a compatible smartphone, as well as the added benefit of being able to turn the fence on and off from the palm of their hand.

property full-time and are looking to save time on fence maintenance, to those who work away during the week and want that peace of mind that their fence is performing as it should be while they are gone.”

The Gallagher Customer Support team are a dedicated, five-person strong group who are committed to providing aftersales support to customers from afar. The team has always utilised technology such as video calls and remote system access and this has never been more important than in recent months. “We are committed to ensuring our customers are getting the most out of their Gallagher systems so while each customer has slightly different needs, we are well practised at finding a solution that will meet their expectations.”

Vast improvements have been made on the previous Dashboard Fence App, with ease of use and reliability at the forefront of the redesign. Farmer feedback was sought to produce a new user-interface and the 100% Gallagher-developed cloud infrastructure ensures farmers now receive reliable, real time fence performance information.

Simple to set up, the Gallagher WiFi Gateway enables connectivity to the Gallagher Cloud. The Gateway is connected directly to any i Series Energizer and is then synced with the Gallagher AgDevices App. A WiFi network is required to connect the Gateway to the Gallagher Cloud and for those producers without a WiFi connection at the Energizer, a WiFi Hotspot or Smartphone Hotspot will easily enable connectivity.

As soon as the App is synced to the WiFi Gateway, fence output data becomes available to the user. Gallagher Customer Support Manager Noel Hecker says, “The absolute beauty of the new Gallagher AgDevices App is that it allows farmers to receive real-time fence data straight to their phones, no matter where they are located.”

“We have a variety of customers already happily set up using the App; from those who are located on their

48

eldersrural.com.au

Making use of another brilliant piece of technology from Gallagher – the i Series Fence Monitor – farmers can now set up and monitor up to six separate zones on their fence, dividing their farm into zones. This aids in the swift location of faults on the fence, saving producers valuable time and money. “In the unlikely event of a drop in fence performance, there are two distinct advantages to using the Gallagher AgDevices App,” says Mr Hecker. “Firstly, an alert will be sent to the AgDevices App as soon as there a drop below a defined level of voltage on the fence. Rather than discovering a fence has been down for hours and stock have wandered off in all directions, farmers can now act on any issues immediately.”

“Secondly and just as importantly, by using i Series Fence Monitors to set up zones along the fenceline, the farmer can then pinpoint the fault to a zone and head straight there, rather than spending hours searching for the source of the fault.” As has always been the case, Gallagher remain committed to providing solutions that help farmers find efficiency and productivity gains.

For more information on how Gallagher i Series Energizers can save you time and money on-farm, or to get started with the AgDevices App and a WiFi Gateway for your existing i Series Energizer, head into your local Elders store or get in touch with Gallagher on 1800 425 524.

A better view of your fence.

AgDevices App The Gallagher AgDevices App gives you a complete view of your fence. See information about fence performance, receive alerts if it changes and turn the fence on and off - all from the palm of your hand.

Simply connect your i Series Energizer to a Gallagher WiFi Gateway, sync the AgDevices App and data will be sent straight to your pocket.

AgDevices offers: - Peace of mind that your fence is working as expected - Alerts about performance changes before they become an issue - Remote control of your Energizer Head into your local Elders store to get started today.

1800 425 524 www.gallagher.com

farm data made easy “To me, that’s what Agworld offers us: the ability to create, collect and utilise accurate data for our own benefit.”

Scott Clark, Clark Forest View, Jamestown, SA.

CONNE CT ING T HE INDUST RY

Technology

FARM DATA MADE EASIER Graham Morgan

‘Making your everyday jobs easier’; it’s what Agworld is designed to do. From creating compliant spray records and sharing data with your trusted advisor to informing your decision-making processes with accurate knowledge, it’s all about simplifying those tasks you have to do on a regular basis. We have made some significant improvements to the Agworld platform in the first half of 2020 to help you automate tasks even further and I’m sure you’ll be just as excited as I am that we continue to ‘Make Farm Data Easier’!

Narrabri, NSW based Precision Cropping Technologies has been a world class leader in providing precision services and software solutions throughout Australia since 2001.

After already adding the popular Satamaps Vegetative Imagery (part of PCT) feature to Agworld in 2019, we have now started to integrate additional PCT Agcloud features into the Agworld platform.

With this integration you are able to seamlessly share data layers between Agworld and PCT as well as with other users, like your connected Elders agronomist for example. Having geospatial data available on the Agworld platform allows you to quickly

make more informed decisions throughout the season.

The integration is constantly expanding and you can already display existing PCT Agcloud data such as planting, yield, EM, Veris, elevation, management zones and other layers in Agworld.

PCT Agcloud and Agworld are both independently owned Australian businesses which ensure that you control your data and that nobody else can access or utilise your data. Both companies do not sell data and constantly invest in data security so that your farm data stays safe. Because both PCT Agcloud and Agworld are cloud based, you can access your data wherever you are, whenever you need it.

Having boasted an integration between Agworld and the John Deere Operations centre for a number of years already, technological improvements on both sides have allowed us to improve this integration even further. The main objective we achieved is improved data accuracy by reducing data-entry errors and a reduction in the time it takes to create or link actuals in Agworld from John Deere data.

51

“Having all your data available in Agworld, like the data from PCT Agcloud and John Deere for example, helps you and your Elders agronomist when it’s time to make crucial decisions.”

When creating and converting to an Agworld Actual, Agworld creates the actual activity with the data provided by the John Deere Operation. When doing so, you are now able to match incoming inputs from John Deere to Agworld’s standardised product database, saving you time. We have also improved the accuracy of matching Agworld activity data with the incoming John Deere data so that you can consistently match the correct Agworld activity.

Having all your data available in Agworld, like the data from PCT Agcloud and John Deere for example, helps you and your Elders agronomist when it’s time to make crucial decisions. Your Elders agronomist creates your cropping plans in Agworld, which they will turn into recommendations for you to action, as the season progresses. The more data you have available on the Agworld platform, the better informed your Elders agronomist will be when creating these plans and recommendations for you.

52

eldersrural.com.au

And the best part? Because you receive your plans and recommendations from your agronomists in your Agworld account, you can easily turn them into farm data; not just as a record, but to show your cost of production and gross margin. Say goodbye to manually entering data in a stand-alone system and looking at profitability retrospectively. Collaborating with your Elders agronomist simplifies the whole process for you and gives you the insights you need!

If you have any questions about Agworld or our newly improved features, speak to your Elders agronomist or feel free to give me a call on 0448 054 281.

Make Spring your season. visit eldersrural.com.au/spring2020

<location_name>

Farming Systems

HAVE YOU CONSIDERED A PROGRAMMED APPROACH ™ TO PASTURE RENEWAL? The PGG Wrightson Seeds Programmed Approach™ is an easy to follow, step-by-step process to improve the supply and quality of your homegrown feed all year round, while optimising your ability to establish a high performing perennial pasture.

Taking the Programmed Approach™ to pasture renewal will maximise your chances of turning a poor performing paddock into a high performing one by addressing drainage and fertility issues and, creating a foundation for improving the result from direct drilling.

Addressing the items above, along with the use of brassica, winter active ryegrass, and chicory are critical components in this process and will help break the perennial weed and wild endophyte cycle. These factors combined will give your renewed paddock the best opportunity to cover feed shortages and provide long term feed options.

Your first step is to identify a poor performing paddock with low pasture density and weeds. Conduct a soil test and apply capital fertiliser and lime if needed. To clean the paddock of all pasture species and remove perennial weeds, spray out existing pasture with glyphosate and Dicamba ® (first of two autumn glyphosate applications).

Direct drill a winter active ryegrass such as Ascend or Astro™. This will provide you with a winter feed supply and potential high-quality silage cuts in spring. After the spring harvest, spray out the annual ryegrass with glyphosate + insecticide.

Before moisture levels decline, sow a summer crop of brassica such as Titan rape, Pasja II forage brassica,

54

eldersrural.com.au

Goliath rape, or Pallaton Raphno®. Apply nitrogen regularly if conditions allow and appropriate herbicides and insecticides approximately four to sizx weeks after sowing. It’s important to remember that for high brassica yields, management and monitoring of your summer crop is essential.

After you’ve finished grazing your summer crop and had sufficient rain fall, monitor your paddock for weed germination and apply the second autumn application of glyphosate. This second application of glyphosate is the most crucial step in the Programmed Approach™ as it helps break the perennial weed cycle before sowing a long-term pasture.

After breaking the perennial weed cycle, your paddock is ready to establish a successful perennial pasture.

Cultivate to form a fine but firm seedbed or direct drill an elite perennial pasture such as Ultrastrike® treated Base AR37 Reward Endo5, Platform AR37, Confederate, or Quantum II MaxP® (mix with proprietary clovers) Once your perennial pasture is dense, well tillered, and has survived a summer – you have completed the PGG Wrightson Seeds Programmed Approach™ to pasture renewal and established a successful long term perennial pasture.

To view a full copy of the PGG Wrightson Seeds Programmed Approach™, visit www.pggwrightsonseeds.com.au.

To learn more about PGG Wrightson Seeds varieties, contact us today by visiting pggwrightsonseeds.com.au or by calling us on 1800 619 910.

Performance bred brassicas FOR YOUR FARM

Why PGG Wrightson Seeds? › › › › ›

We have been helping Australian farmers achieve their goals for over 75 years Animal grazing trials are incorporated into plant breeding Staff are practical, focusing on increasing your meat, milk or wool production We have access to world leading research and development We deliver market leading technologies (For example AR37 endophyte, grazing tolerant lucerne, Envirogro® seed treatment process and Pallaton Raphno®)

“The stock did terrifically on it and it gave us a heap more production in the late summer/early autumn. We will definitely grow more of the Titan rape.”

Julian von Bibra Ross, Tasmania

Titan forage rape

Pasja II hybrid leafy turnip

The tasty forage rape

One of the fastest brassica feed options

Titan combines early maturity, high dry matter yields and exceptional palatability to deliver a high quality summer/autumn/winter feed option. Strong regrowth potential offers multi-graze options for all grazing systems. Titan provides very good aphid and virus tolerance.

Suitable for beef, sheep and dairy.

Sowing rate: 3-6kg/ha

Pasja II – the brassica to choose when fast, high quality spring/summer/ autumn feed is needed for your stock. Pasja II combines early maturity with yield and the option for multiple grazings, providing quality fast feed you can rely on. Suitable for beef, sheep and dairy.

NEW Rocket Fuel® chicory clover mix Out of this world performance Rocket Fuel® is a proprietary seed mixture consisting of chicory, red and white clover. It produces a leafy, high quality feed over spring, summer and autumn when traditional pastures can decrease in quality. This versatile mix can be sown as a specialist finishing crop or a high protein milking option. Use as a 6 month or 2 year crop depending on farm system and grazing management. Suitable for a wide range of environments Rocket Fuel® offers an excellent animal performance package.

FOR YOUR FARM

White and red clover will provide nitrogen to the chicory over time and are both an ideal companion species for leafy upright herbs, filling gaps and shading out weeds. Suitable for beef, sheep and dairy.

Sowing rate: 12.5kg/ha

Sowing rate: 3-6kg/ha

SF Greenland forage rape

Australian livestock producers first choice.

All forage brassicas are high in quality with high ME and low NDF%.

Yield is the key driver of profit for livestock grazing forage brassicas.

Over 15 years, one variety continues to top yield trials - SF Greenland.

That is why it remains the No.1 choice by agronomists and serious livestock producers.

GEROGERY

BYADUK Variety

Yield

%

Greenland

10.0

116

Winfred

8.6

100

Titan

7.3

85

Goliath

12.1

140

Interval

9.3

Variety

Yield

%

Variety

Yield

%

Greenland

4.0

123

Greenland

4.5

106

Winfred

3.3

100

Winfred

4.3

100

Goliath

3.5

107

Goliath

3.8

Mainstar

3.3

102

Mainstar

Titan

2.8

84

Titan

%

Greenland

9.5

136

Winfred

7.0

100

Goliath

8.3

119

PENSHURST Variety

Yield

%

Greenland

8.2

131

Pillar

7.2

118

Titan

6.8

116

Winfred

6.2

100

DENMAN

Variety

Yield

%

89

Greenland

14.9

117

3.8

88

Winfred

12.7

100

3.0

70

Goliath

9.2

73

GUNDAGAI

GEROGERY

CARAMUT

PENSHURST BYADUK

WINSLOW Yield

DENMAN

GUNDAGAI

110

Variety

TAMWORTH

TAMWORTH

WINSLOW

Variety

Yield

%

Greenland

6.6

143

Winfred

6.2

100

Titan

6.4

140

Goliath

6.1

126

www.seedforce.com

Yield

%

CARAMUT

Greenland

4.0

128

WARRNAMBOOL

Winfred

3.1

100

Goliath

4.0

128

Yield

%

Greenland

10.0

115

Winfred

8.7

100

Goliath

8.6

108

SMITHTON

WARRNAMBOOL

Yield = tDM/ha % = % control Winfred * Gundagai - mean of 4 trials * Penshurst - mean of 2 trails * Warrnambool - mean of 2 trials

Variety

Variety

SMITHTON

WHITEMORE CRESSY

CRESSY Variety

Yield

%

Greenland

6.6

112

Winfred

5.9

100

Goliath

6.2

105

WHITEMORE Variety

Yield

%

Greenland

4.8

154

Winfred

3.1

100

Goliath

4.8

154

Variety

Yield

%

Greenland

9.2

147

Winfred

6.2

100

Titan

6.3

101

Interval

8.3

133

Goliath

8.1

129

Farming Systems

YIELD IS KEY TO LIVESTOCK PROFIT POTENTIAL

The popularity of forage brassicas continues to increase in Australia as their usage has expanded into different seasons and pasture mixes. Originally sown in southern Australia as a spring planted summer forage, they are now sown from Queensland to Tasmania to South west WA at various times of the year based on region.

And one forage brassica has been a stand-out in Australia for consistently providing the highest yields and the ability to be planted somewhere in Australia every month of the year.

SF Greenland forage rape was released in 2006 after trials showed it to be the highest yielding variety on the market. And 13 years later, despite some newer varietal releases in Australia, it is still the highest yielding forage rape on the market. SF Greenland seems the most durable of those at handling Australian extremes due to its strong genetic characteristics: > High palatability when grazed to its potential, > Outstanding re-growth if moisture is available, > Excellent frost tolerance, and > Reduced bolting (going to head) if grazing pressure is maintained.

Forage brassicas are highly digestible with estimated Metabolizable Energy (ME) similar to grain at around 11.5-12.5MJ/kg DM depending on when they are tested.

They usually have adequate Crude Protein 12-20% if plant nutrition is managed, but have a low level of fibre (typically 18-30% NDF). “For optimum animal performance, livestock producers should provide feed with highest ME, Crude Protein around 15-20% and NDF levels of around 35%, says Andrew Harborne of Seed Force who also runs an Angus breeding operation from his home base near Crookwell in southern NSW.

“For optimum animal performance, livestock producers should provide feed with highest ME, Crude Protein around 15-20% and NDF levels of around 35%” So with quality non limiting, the key to improving profit from such a low per hectare seed cost is ensuring that you choose the highest yield potential variety, fertilise it to its potential and manage grazing. Impact of yield of economics of grazing forage brassicas. Based on yield trials over the past 15 years, the impact of SF Greenland yield on profitability can be seen from the modelled analysis undertaken below. After adjusting for any difference in seed price and making an adjustment to cover the replacement of nutrients used driving up to 30% higher yield, plus extra fibre, SF Greenland has the potential to deliver up to $400/ha extra returns from beef liveweight gain compared to other lower yielding forage rape options. These differences will be even higher when grazed by lambs which are currently returning a higher liveweight price.

57

Farming Systems

PACIFIC SEEDS SET TO RELEASE NEXT GENERATION OF GAME-CHANGING CANOLA HYBRIDS One of Australia’s largest seed providers Pacific Seeds has announced the commercial release of three new canola hybrids for 2021 which are exclusive to the company.

Australia produces between 2 to 3 million tonnes of canola per year, at a value of approximately $1 billion, with Western Australia the largest producer, followed by New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. Pacific Seeds National Canola Technical Manager Justin Kudnig said that these new hybrids have been developed to provide greater flexibility to farmers.

“Our three new canola hybrids have been adapted to grow across all states, and with high yields, top vigor ratings and an excellent quad-gene blackleg rating of R, these hybrids will be a strong addition to any farmer’s rotations,” Mr Kudnig said. “Each hybrid has its own unique qualities, but the core fundamentals of weed control, yield reliability, dual herbicide tolerance and high oil capability are strong across all three canola varieties.

“We’re thrilled to announce the release of two new dual herbicide stacked products - Hyola Enforcer CT and Hyola Garrison XC, which have been designed for integrated weed management and protection against chemical carryover from previous crops. “As Aussie canola growers experience the full commercial value and agronomic protection provided by dual stacked technologies, they will be able to see the advantage firsthand of adding products like Enforcer CT and Garrison XC to their program.

“And with significant increases in both the number of crop species being released with IMI tolerance and the cropping areas being sown to IMI based technologies, these new hybrids will be an important tool in Australian growers integrated weed management (IWM) arsenal.

Hyola Enforcer CT is a non-GM product and the first in a new generation of Clearfield and Triazine (CT) dual herbicide stacked hybrids.

58

eldersrural.com.au

“We’re seeing a rise in popularity for CT hybrids and Enforcer CT is a great tool for IWM and managing Group B imidazolinone (IMI) residues in drier seasons. We have a big pipeline of CT products that we think will be very popular with Aussie farmers,” Mr Kudnig said. “Hyola Garrison XC is the first release from Pacific Seeds’ next generation of canola hybrids featuring dual TruFlex and Clearfield (XC) herbicide tolerance. “This GM hybrid will be a great product for all canola growers but is likely to be of particular interest to growers in South Australia who through a recent change in legislation are now able to grow genetically modified crops.

“Garrison XC combines TruFlex’s wider spray window and ability to apply higher, more effective chemical rates with the option to apply IMI herbicides in-crop or alternatively to plant into soils with IMI soil residue.During 2019 trials of Hyola Enforcer CT and Hyola Garrison XC showed impressive financial returns per hectare.

“The third new canola hybrid to be commercially available in 2021 is Hyola Blazer TT. This product is our latest triazine tolerant (TT) release with very high blackleg resistance” Mr Kudnig said. “In both extensive Pacific Seeds Research trials and NVT Trials to date, Hyola Blazer TT delivered considerable yield returns which were equal to or greater than popular competitor TT hybrids. “All three of these hybrids have been developed to make many growers seasonal cropping programs more flexible and profitable. “By combining competitive yield performance with leading, and indeed world first herbicide tolerance stacking, we have no doubt these products will become an important part of Australian canola grower’s rotations.”

Canola, evolved.

The next generation of Hyola® varieties is here.

Introducing Blazer TT, Garrison XC and Enforcer CT. Take your 2021 season to new heights with three innovative, high-performing canola hybrids from Pacific Seeds. Garrison XC is a powerful tool for grower’s IWM programs, combining both TruFlex® and Clearfield® technology for improved flexibility. Enforcer CT boasts non-GMO, dual tolerance to both Clearfield and Triazine herbicides. And Blazer TT brings you a completely new generation of triazine tolerant-canola hybrid.

Visit pacificseeds.com.au/canola-launch to learn more.

TruFlex® is a registered trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC, used under license from Monsanto Australia Pty Ltd. Clearfield® is a registered trademark of BASF.

W E N

STORE DIESEL & SAVE with our NEW Diesel Essential Self Bunded Tank

• Built to withstand Australian conditions • Quality Italian Piusi 240v Diesel Pump up to 70lpm • Ready to go – Plug and Play • Complete unit. Pump, hose and nozzle included • Cheaper than Steel • Lockable Cabinet • Easy to relocate • Save up to 25c per litre*

*On bulk deliveries, rather than stopping at the service station.

10,000ltr tank can pay for itself after 6 bulk deliveries.

1300 062 064 | polymaster.com.au

Technology

POLYMASTER HAS BULK DIESEL STORAGE COVERED What you need is the NEW 10,000Ltr Diesel ESSENTIAL Tank, recently launched by Polymaster to suit everyone’s budget. It’s not rocket science in knowing that buying Diesel in BULK saves you a pretty penny.

Some farmers have reported saving up to 30 cents per litre over pumping at the service station. So, if you are running 60,000-100,000 litres through your equipment each year you can be saving up to $30,000. Better in your pocket than someone else’s!

Bulk diesel on farm also saves a lot of hassles, not to mention the reduction in downtime because of the simple convenience of the tank being on site. There are many different diesel tanks to choose from in the market, all with different options from the basic tank where you add your own pump, through to fancy units with all the bells and whistles. Each have their own pros and cons. So, what best suits you?

The short answer is “one that it reliable, never misses a beat, has all essential equipment included and doesn’t break the bank to buy!” Introducing Diesel ESSENTIAL 10KL. This new tank of Polymaster’s ticks all the criteria.

This new ESSENTIAL, joins the already successful Ranger and Quantum family of bulk storage diesel tanks, offering an affordable above ground double walled tank, designed for rural Australia.

Designed and built to last, giving you years and years of reliable fuel dispensing on farm. With a 25year design life and a 5yr tank warranty this new tank is packed with ‘tried and true’ pieces of equipment.

These tanks are designed with safety on the farm in mind and ease of use. The double wall technology protects your diesel and creates a barrier from accidental bumps/collisions with equipment. The outer tank is also constructed of a specially formulated flame-retardant polymer.

Polymaster has a reputation of building tanks to last with over 26yrs designing and manufacturing in Australia.

Proudly family owned, Polymaster tanks are shipped Australia-wide, across the Tasman and into parts of Asia.

The Diesel ESSENTIAL is fully kitted out at the factory so all you need to do when it arrives is to connect power and have the tanker fill it up.

Included: > Quality Italian Piusi 240V pump up to 70LPM the most reliable diesel pump brand in the world > 6mtr hose with automatic trigger nozzle > Digital level indicator > Bund alarm > Mechanical overfill protection prevents overfilling & spills > 2” camlock & ball valve for quick filling suits all tanker trucks > 30micron water capture filter ensures your equipment is getting clean fuel > Mechanical fluid meter record dispensing to equipment > Lockable secure cabinet to house equipment to keep unwanted guests ‘borrowing’ your diesel > External bunded tank and cabinet constructed of UV sun tough material also flame retardant and built to withstand Australian conditions

Storage Solutions For All Situations - Polymaster also manufacture a wide range of other diesel tank and pump solutions to suit a variety of different uses, including; Portable Ute Packs - Ranging from 100ltr to 800ltr. These units are all equipped with Piusi designed pumps and are perfect for the back of the ute. The ‘Cube-style’ sits perfectly in the tub of a dual cab and can be fitted with a secondary bund for added security.

Transfer Tanks - Ranging from 600ltrs to 3000ltrs. These units are the go-between storage solutions that can be filled by the ESSENTIAL unit then run out to the header in the paddock, saving you time. These are also fitted with the Piusi pumps.

Diesel Trailers - Ranging from 1200ltrs to 2000ltrs.

These trailer units sit on a tough hot-dipped gal frame with dual axle, electric brakes, lights and reflectors.

The Piusi pump, meter, hose and auto nozzle are stored securely in a lockable toolbox at the front of the trailer.

To get your hands on one of the Polymaster Diesel Tanks, simply drop into your local Elders store or jump onto the Polymaster website for more information –polymaster.com.au.

The Polymaster customer service team are also a helpful bunch and more than happy to sort out any of your questions - 1800 062 064

61

you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t beat

The Original the Philmac compression fitting range is made in Australia for Australian conditions

NEW Easy Lok

PHI0768 07/20

General Supplies

TOUGH JOBS MADE EASY WITH THE NEW EASYLOK LARGE BORE METRIC FITTING FROM PHILMAC You can’t beat the original, having developed the world’s first plastic joiner in 1962, Philmac continues to innovate and improve their compression fitting range. The new EasyLOK fittings for large bore pipe complement the existing 3G Metric fittings that are available in sizes from 16mm to 63mm and utilise the Philmac Slide and Tighten technology. If you need to join Rural B Class poly pipe you can’t go past the original Philmac rural compression fitting range with the unique self-aligning terracotta inserts.

The new Philmac EasyLOK fitting range is the perfect fitting when you are working with large bore metric poly pipe. When working with large pipes, ease of assembly is vitally important. EasyLOK fittings have been designed to ensure that installation is as easy as possible and that it works every time. When working with large pipes, installation can be challenging not only because of the size of the pipe but also the condition of the pipe. Recognising this EasyLOK fittings are installed by taking them apart and then putting the components on separately. The components all go onto the pipe easily and ensure that everything is positioned correctly no matter the condition of the pipe. The pipe can then be pushed into the body of fitting and the nut fully tightened. Installation is made easy and 100% reliable with EasyLOK. Available from 50mm up to 110mm EasyLOK compression fittings are the fitting of choice for supply of large volumes of water and irrigation applications, where blue line metric PE pipe is used. Equally, ease of disassembly makes the job of altering watering systems more manageable. EasyLOK fittings have been designed so that they can be easily re-used. Once the fitting is installed it is a simple matter of loosening the nut with multi-grips or a spanner. Once the nut has been loosened the internal components can easily be released and the pipe removed from the fitting. Disassembly could not be easier.

The EasyLOK fittings have been designed to reduce the torque required to tighten the nut, when installing the nut can be tighten almost all the way by hand. With Easylok fittings it is essential that the nut is tightened fully so that no threads are showing to ensure complete compression of the seal. The flange on the body of the EasyLOK fitting provides a visual stop to indicate when the nut is fully tightened. This removes any uncertainty from the installation process.

EasyLOK fittings are made from a high grade of polypropylene to provide significant resistance to both chemicals and impact. EasyLOK fittings are supplied with EPDM seals which means that the fittings can withstand a wide range of chemicals without having to switch

components. There is always a risk of impact so the fitting must be tough and durable to provide a long life.

You can be sure you have the job covered as the EasyLOK range is rated to PN16 and is available from 50mm to 110mm.To ensure complete coverage and that there is a fitting for all requirements EasyLOK fittings are available in joiners, elbows, male and female adaptors, tees and threaded elbows and tees. The fitting has been designed to minimise pipe twist as the nut is tightened.

Maximum pipe twist is approximately three quarters of a turn compared to one and a half turns with many other fittings. Pipe twist can impact on not only the connection you have just made but also on the connection at the other end of the line. Join large bore metric pipe fast and reliably every time with the Philmac EasyLOK range of compression fittings.

63

General Supplies

COCKY VALVE LAUNCHES ULTI FLO TROUGH VALVES Cocky Valve has been selling our valves into the Australian Rural sector since 2000. The product was designed by the owner and founder of the company Peter Cocciardi. Our valves were initially sold at Field days and to local stores throughout Victoria. In 2014 we were part of a national Valve review conducted by the Kondinin Group and we were pleased to finish on top, beating all the more well-known brands. Not bad for a small family business.

The Ulti Flo Valves come in a complete kit which includes the Valve Body, the float arm, a short kit, and the patented Universal Adapter. When paired with a Cocky valve 8” float that is all that will be required. These kits will fit most troughs currently on the market. They are available in all common sizes being ¾”, 1”, 1 ¼”, 1 ½” and 2” versions all with standard BSPT threads.

The business grew year on year and by June 2017 we were selling into almost 1000 stores nationally and had also opened sales into New Zealand. Over this time the valve design hadn’t really changed all that much however we did change the material used. The original valve bodies were a Brass body, then we added a SS316 seat, then we changed the body from Brass to SS304 still with the SS316 seat and finally, the current valves are made entirely from SS316 material.

We have recently added to our range a new valve body shape which we have called the ULTI FLO Valve which now incorporates a deflector and have recently patented our UNIVERSAL ADAPTOR. This simple component allows our customers to configure the install so the float can be positioned in 12 different locations. No other valve provides this level of flexibility.

64

eldersrural.com.au

The valves deliver 4 litres per second at just 200Kpa (30 psi) and yet provide a reliable watertight seal at pressures of 90Kpa (130psi). The entire kit is manufactured from SS316 material and is Guaranteed for Life. There is no better valve in the market and the response from our customers has been overwhelming since it was first launched back in May last year.

If you want a float valve that is reliable, will not break, corrode, or leak and is Guaranteed for Life, then you should get a Cocky valve ULTI FLO valve kit. Because water is too precious to waste.

For all further information refer to our site, www.cockyvalve.com.au

Poly Silos SMARTER THAN YOUR AVERAGE SILO Stakka Bin

UV stabilised polyethylene silo | Gal steel frame Cooler Storage Temperatures | No rust | Gal steel frame Stainless steel outlet | Remote opening lid Fully weather sealed 45 & 60 degree high flow cone 1.75m³ - 60m³ capacity available | Polycarbonate sight glasses Suitable for feed, liquid or fertiliser storage Suitable for water clarification operations Australian made from Australian products AGRI PRODUCTS | LAWN PRODUCTS | AQUA PRODUCTS CONTACT US P 1800 502 267 E sales@enmach.com.au

enmach.com.au

General Supplies

POLY SILOS, CLEARLY A BETTER SOLUTION. Australian manufacturer Enmach offers silos with extraordinary durability and a 20-year plus lifespan.

The harsh Australian climate can have a devastating impact on the equipment we utilise in our outdoor occupations and lifestyles. A spokesman for Enmach says the Bundaberg-based company has reinvented and redesigned products made from traditional materials and manufactures them from materials such as polyethylene and stainless-steel to extend lifespan and durability. Enmach have the largest range of Poly Silos in the world and is the only roto-moulder in Australia dedicated to manufacturing and installation of independently F.E.A engineered Poly Silos that are cyclonic wind rated and load tested.

Enmach poly products are lighter than the steel products they replace, have one of the world’s best UV protection ratings, resist rust and have compounded colour that will not fade or scratch off. Ultimately, Enmach has created the poly advantage – unbeatable durability. The company has been in operation for 30 years and offers a range of silos in capacities from 1 tonne to 50 tonnes or 1.75m3 to 60m3. The silos are suitable for bulk storage of a variety of products and can be used in any industry, from mining to farming, water clarification to breweries, fertiliser to coffee bean storage. The range starts with the industry leading Stakka Bin. The innovative Stakka Bins are the biggest in their class at 1.75m3 which will store around 1.3 ton of wheat and fertiliser. They have a full galvanised steel frame with extendable legs, an integrated ladder as standard and a stainless-steel knife gate that will not buckle when the bin is full. There are two heavy duty forklift pockets at the base of the unit complete with a safety chain and a fully removable lid.

The largest silo in the range is the massive 60m3 silo that will contain 46 tonnes of wheat or fertiliser. Some of Enmach’s poly silo range are unique in the fact that they can be added to at a later date simply by adding further rings to the silo thus increasing the capacity. Another great feature of the Poly Silos is the ability to configure the silos to store liquid. The flagship of the liquid storage range is the 35000 litre Liquid Storage silo. This silo will hold up to 50 ton of liquid, great for storing molasses or liquid supplement for feeding cattle in the dry times. The liquid silos can also be configured for service in water clarification and separation. The range of Patented 60-degree cone silos which encompasses storage sizes from 27m3 to 57m3 are ideally suited to the storage of feed pellets and slow flowing products.

This design has a unique reverse angle top section for increased flow.

Polyethylene has proved to be a winner in the manufacture of silos. Sweating is greatly reduced or removed as the insulation properties of polyethylene keeps your feed cooler resulting in reduced incidence of sweating. All silos heat up during the day and then on nightfall the outer steel skin of a steel silo cools rapidly. Poly silos are thicker than steel, 10 to 30 millimetres thick to be exact, and this thickness helps to keep your feed cooler during the day and then on nightfall, the temperature change is more gradual resulting in a slower dissipation of stored heat and less or no incidence of sweating.

Having a silo made with polyethylene also gives you peace of mind by removing the threat of degeneration through rusting. The poly silo bin is encapsulated in a galvanized steel frame with a stainless-steel knife gate at the base of the silo and the silo is delivered fully assembled. Any bolts through the silo wall are all stainless steel to further enhance our no corrosion claim. To stand behind this, Enmach offers a 10-year warranty on their Poly Silos, “Where else do you get a warranty like that on a silo?”

Enmach will deliver and install its range of poly silos Australia wide with crane-equipped trucks and trained drivers who can erect and bolt down a silo within hours.

They also offer a full custom manufacturing service for polyethylene molded and steel fabricated products.

Enmach combines innovation and durability with a highly equipped, in-house research and development department and a focus on service.

Call the team at Enmach today on 1800502267 or explore further at www.enmach.com.au

67

68

eldersrural.com.au

CONFINEMENT FEEDING: CONSIDERATIONS AND STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

Seasonal variation, environmental extremes, and changing consumer demands necessitate that livestock producers remain agile in an ever changing and unpredictable landscape, while always managing to produce more with less.

Confinement feeding is a hot topic throughout the Australian industry with adoption rates on the rise however the strategy requires careful consideration, thorough planning and a consistent execution. TEC Consultant, Pip Houghton, outlines her key advice for confinement feeding considerations and strategies.

What is confinement feeding? Confinement feeding allows for tailored management and nutrition to achieve specific production targets. The primary motivation is to contain mature breeding stock to defer grazing pressure, extend the growing season, prevent overgrazing and minimise erosion.

Controlled feeding enables nutritional management to be optimised for production to achieve a specific outcome such as strategic manipulations around joining for improved fertility, managing requirements through pregnancy or improving weaning percentages.

With industry lambing mortality rates estimated around 30%, the value to be gained through managing ewe nutrition according to their requirements is significant. Animals should be managed in groups according to their specific requirements depending on the class of stock, physiological demands and stage of production cycle (joining, twins or singles, stage of pregnancy, condition score, required growth, age). Confinement feeding makes this possible and creates opportunity for improved performance of the flock.

It must be noted that the term â&#x20AC;&#x153;confinement feedingâ&#x20AC;? can encompass a wide range of strategies

and techniques, and simply confining sheep to feed them does not spell immediate success. As with any management strategy, the success is dependent on thorough planning and consistent execution. In my role as a livestock consultant, I can work with clients in an outcome focused framework that can be broken into four sections: scenario assessment, identification of limitations, solution implementation and finally, the outcome.

Key considerations; The first step in deciding if confinement feeding has a place in your management system is to consider the following: > What class of stock do you want to confine and what are the outcomes of you wish to achieve (for example: ewes pre-joining for increased conception, wethers/ewes over summer to relieve grazing pressure on pasture, backgrounding wether lambs)? > What infrastructure do you currently have (paddocks, fencing, feeders, water supply), where is it, and does it meet the requirements of the stock and end outcome youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re working towards? > What feed sources do you have available (are you self-sufficient or will you need to buy in additional feed) and what handling/storage and mixing facilities do you have (e.g. grain mix with additive vs pellets)? > What is the relative cost of all required feed, infrastructure and labour, relative to the expected outcome (at varying levels of success and risk) To continue reading the remainder of this article, click here.

69

YOUR LIVESTOCK DEPEND ON YOU. PERFORMANCE DEPENDS ON THE RIGHT TRACE MINERAL. Do it right with the BLUEPRINT® NUTRITION PROGRAM for better absorption, less waste and optimum health.

Trust the world’s largest producer of organic trace minerals to support your livestock’s health and performance with the Blueprint® Nutrition Program.

Important in all stages of production, trace minerals support the animal’s defence system and growth, as well as your profitability.

Learn more today, call 1800 649 231 to be put in touch with your local Alltech Lienert production expert or click here.

alltechlienert.com.au | AlltechLienert

Animal Health

DESIGNED TO OPTIMISE YOUR ANIMAL’S GENETIC POTENTIAL Alltech Lienert Australia is an animal nutrition premix and supplement manufacturing company, with over 40 years’ experience. We provide customers with innovative, high-quality products and services, from feed formulation to the development of complete nutritional programs.

We also stock a range of biosecurity products and can assist with tailoring a biosecurity program to suit your operation. Our team of qualified animal nutritionists design premixes and feed formulations tailored to meet customers’ specific requirements in a range of sectors, including livestock producers, commercial feed mills and resellers in Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and Asia. Alltech Lienert Australia is backed by our parent company Alltech, which was founded in 1980

by Dr. Pearse Lyons and today is a global leader in the animal health and nutrition industry. Alltech delivers smarter, more sustainable solutions for agriculture by developing innovative, scientific solutions for today’s biggest challenges in the animal feed industry. This ultimately results in better nutrition for consumers and a decreased environmental impact.

“Alltech delivers smarter, more sustainable solutions for agriculture.”

One range of solutions that we offer is the Blueprint® Nutrition Program. Available for both sheep and cattle, the products range from intensive feeding additives to paddock supplementation. The innovative range has been developed by unravelling the genetic codes of how nutrients interact within the cell of an animal.

This process, known as nutrigenomics, evaluates these interactions and more easily identifies ways to optimise the overall performance and efficiency of the animal and therefore maximises profitability. Throughout the lifecycle of the animal, the Blueprint ® program is designed to build on an animal’s genetic potential at each life stage.

Focussing on Feedlotting, we have the results of a recent lamb feedlot trial, with 455 X-Bred Lambs using the Alltech Lienert Blueprint® program.

It is important to note, that prior to starting any feedlot program, consistent management, high performance, genetics, environment, feed and water sources and the animal’s health status are key factors in driving successful production. At Alltech Lienert, we have experienced staff and solutions to help across all facets

of the feedlot process, as well as management guides to follow. Prior to switching to the Blueprint® program, the feedlot was using a quality diet of barley, lupins and a concentrate pellet. When the Blueprint® program was introduced, several observations were made: > Maximised early weight gain and rumen development > Optimised growth rates and adjustment to grain through the introduction period > Live weight gains averaged 443g/head/day for the duration of the trial (including the introduction period) > Feed conversion of 3.5 : 1 and weights achieved ahead of time > 172 lambs sold off before day 35 (as reached target live weights of 55kg) The key to the success of this program was the inclusion of the Blueprint ® Sheep technology. The program utilises nutritional solutions from Alltech® which may aid in minimising the incidences of acidosis and optimise energy from the ration to maximise feed efficiency and average daily gain.

For more news and updates on how the Blueprin t® Nutrition Program works or which product may be right for you, click here.

A Summary of Blueprint® program Day 0 - 12 (Introductory period)

Av No of head Weight Gain/Day

Total Weight

Feed Intake

Totals

455

458g

18,237.5kg

1.3kg/ hd/day

Day 13 21

No of head

Av Weight Gain/Day

Total Weight

Feed Intake

Totals

451

452g

22,265.5kg

1.55kg/ hd/day

Day 22 35

No of head already sold off)

Av Weight Gain/Day

Total Weight

Feed Intake

Totals

279

420g

14,671kg

1.5kg/ hd/day

(top 172 lambs

71

Have you got a Cyclone N-Sure Gate?

25NB hot dipped galvanised pipe, with a wall thickness of 2mm.

Hot dipped galvanised pipe, inside and out for corrosion protection.

Welded mesh with graduated horizontal wires provides improved security in lower part of the gate.

Reduced gate sag & increased load carrying capacity, with top & bottom steel plate gussets.

Contact your local Cyclone representative today www.cycloneproducts.com.au | t: 1800 199 450 | sales@cycloneproducts.com.au

Fencing

HOT DIPPED GALVANISING: IT JUST WORKS Cyclone not only sell the most popular gate range in Australia; they also offer individual gate fittings and gate fitting packs to complement the range! When choosing a gate fitting there are some important things to consider – from the type of strainer post material you are using, right through to the coating used on the fitting.

Cyclone have gate fittings for steel, timber and concrete posts. Their wide range of fittings continue to grow, covering everything from replacing an old fitting component to supplying an all-in-one set to hang your new gate. But most importantly, Cyclone’s fittings are designed to last.

Cyclone gate fittings are hot dipped galvanised which means they are coated to last up to 3 times longer than ordinary electroplated gate fittings. Cyclone’s National

Sales manager, Andrew Thoms says, “Cyclone’s hot dipped galvanised gate fittings deliver superior protection against corrosion, resulting in less time and money spent replacing faulty rusted fittings”. So whilst galvanised fittings might look more ‘rugged’ than electroplated fittings, they have been proven to outperform – watch the time-lapse salt spray video on the Cyclone website To see more – www.cycloneproducts.com.au Choose the rugged looking gate fittings that perform! Choose Cyclone!

73

Technology

OPTIWEIGH: IN-PADDOCK WEIGHING THAT WORKS

Optiweigh is a reliable, automated in-paddock weighing system that provides livestock farmers with a smart, fast and cost-effective way to remotely monitor and measure the weight of livestock in their mobs. Launched in 2019 Optiweigh is now available across every state in Australia.

In commercial cattle operations, monitoring the weight of animals regularly is crucial to optimising profitability and costs. Regular weighing helps the farmer decide when to sell cattle to achieve the target weight and avoid penalties, as well as optimise the feeding regime, which is a major cost of the operation. Traditionally, weighing cattle is a manual and time-consuming process, which involves mustering and yarding the mob. Ultimately, this means there is a limit to how regularly data can be gathered, which limits the ability for farmers to accurately optimise their feeding regimes and the timing of sale to hit target market specifications.

The Optiweigh remote weighing system enables farmers to obtain accurate weight readings at regular intervals without the cost, time and live-weight loss associated with manually weighing cattle. Optiweigh’s selfpowered system weighs the front two feet of the animal and uses highly accurate algorithms to generate whole body weights which are sent to the farmer in real-time to view on their smartphone or laptop. The system is highly portable and can be towed from one paddock to another with ease. Within 2-3 days of deploying the device, the farmer can receive an accurate snapshot of the weight of individual animals and the entire mob - all without time, labour cost and weight loss associated with taking the cattle to the yards. Moving it from mob to mob and back again over time allows the ongoing performance of a number of mobs to be monitored.

Optiweigh was launched in 2019 and now has 34 units placed across every state in Australia. The system is enabling farmers across the country to save costs and

“The resulting data is game changing in its ability to enable more precise management and thus improve the profitability of the whole operation.” add value to their operations by weighing their cattle in-paddock. The resulting data is game changing in its ability to enable more precise management, and thus improve the profitability of the whole operation. As Bill Mitchell, Founder and CEO of Optiweigh explained: “We are getting fantastic feedback from our customers.

Some customers are saying they are now able to pick up changes in weight gain trends in less than a week - which is allowing corrective action to be taken well before the trend would have become evident by just looking at the animals and the paddock.

Other customers are using Optiweigh to fine tune their sales program by being able to make better decisions about how many animals to sell and when to sell them.

The high accuracy of this data and the low cost of gathering it means that our customers are universally generating a positive return on their investment.”

For further information call 1300 OPTIWEIGH or visit our website www.optiweigh.com.au 75

Biological synergy fuels crop production

Bacstim100 ®

High Performance Biology

Harnessing the power of biology is a proven way to increase financial returns.

Rhizovator

TM

© Copyright 2020. Omnia Specialities (Australia) Pty Ltd ® Bacstim is a registered trademark of Omnia Specialities (Australia) Pty Ltd ™ Rhizovator is a trademark of Omnia Specialities (Australia) Pty Ltd

Tel: +61 3 5133 9118

www.omnia.com.au

Crop Protection

HARNESSING THE POWER OF BIOLOGY IN HORTICULTURE The Holy grail for horticultural growers is effectively using the power of nature to leverage paid inputs for their crop. Traditionally, fertiliser programs often have been applied with no consideration for the billions of living organisms in the soil which can be beneficial to soil health and plant growth. More efficient fertiliser and water use using the power of nature is now a reality.

There is a wave of interest developing in biological products, bio-stimulants and softer chemistries designed to improve soil and plant health. Omnia Specialities is a company who have a deep interest in soil health, producing a range of organic plant nutrition products, biologicals and supplying traditional foliar and watersoluble fertilisers. Their Sales and Marketing Manager Darren Thomas said, “We are committed to sharing with growers what we know about biologicals and how to get the best results from them. Our two products Rhizovator and Bacstim really do use biology to efficiently leverage soil nutrients and water. Our trials have demonstrated a synergistic effect when the two products are applied together and we have been building a library of trial results to give growers confidence to apply these products this spring.”

make the soil environment naturally unfavourable for disease pathogens. This may lead to reduction in disease infection and increased water and nutrient uptake, delivering healthier plants with increased resilience to disease delivering improved crop yield potential,” said Mr Thomas.

Bacstim and Rhizovator can be applied to a range of perennial or annual horticultural crops. Applications are made just prior to major root growth periods. In annual vegetables this means at least two applications at 2-6 weeks after planting and with tree or vine crops 2 applications early and mid-spring.

For more information go to www.omnia.com.au or contact your nearest Elders Agronomist.

Mr Thomas added, “Bacstim 100 contains 5 different strains of Bacillus bacteria which provide the following benefits for horticultural crops; Improved nutrient mineralization and uptake, production of phytohormones encouraging root growth, increased leaf chlorophyll levels and Increased crop biomass and yield. Healthy plants are also naturally more resistant to disease.”

“Rhizovator is the ideal tank mix partner for Bacstim products as it has been formulated to feed the microbial life in the soil and encourage biological diversity.

Rhizovator feeds the native micro-organisms as well as the introduced bacillus species from Bacstim. Beneficial fungi spread through the soil and bring water and nutrients to the plant that might otherwise have not been available. Improving the biological diversity may

IMAGES — Chart 1. Potato yield increase from Rhizovator and Bacstim application. Average 6 trials NSW and SA.

77

Animal Health

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT THIS SPRING: CHECKLIST FOR SHEEP PRODUCERS With spring weaning and joining season fast approaching, there are a range of steps sheep producers can and should take to facilitate the effective regeneration of their flock. The below outlines a range of considerations this spring.

Ewe preservation Ewe health and prosperity is the cornerstone of any successful breeding program. Producers should wean early and allow plenty of time for ewe recovery. Those that have autumn lambed should be weaning now, and those that are spring lambing should be looking to wean before spring feed matures. The preservation of the 2021 lamb drop starts now – the more work you do to conserve ewe health and recovery this year, the greater the rewards you will reap next year.

Trace mineral deficiencies The abundance of feed available on the back of a relatively good season, particularly in eastern Australia, has increased the dilution of trace minerals in sheep – most notably selenium, copper and zinc. These elements are key components in maintaining a healthy immune system, so deficient sheep may become more susceptible to infection and disease. While a mineral supplement program can be an effective way of combatting dilution, it can have significant ramifications for ewe fertility - so it is crucial producers are adequately informed before administration.

Flies Front of mind for all sheep producers should be fly management. If the bureau is to be believed, the wetterthan-average summer forecasts will be conducive to a summer fly wave, with sheep flocks particularly at risk.

78

eldersrural.com.au

When it comes to fly management, prevention is better than a cure. It only takes one struck sheep to put millions of fly eggs into the ground and increase fly numbers exponentially. An effective, pre-emptive fly treatment regime in the coming weeks is critical for flock health - if you can stop flies from breeding now, you will be more likely to avoid any second-wave of breeding over the summer months.

Parasites The recent season has increased the threat of parasites throughout the flock, especially Barber’s pole worm which could be particularly problematic given the forecasts for a wet summer. The Barber’s pole worm is an insidious and prolific layer whose numbers can build up very quickly and catch farmers unaware. Proactive and informed treatment plans, such as drench selection to minimise egg build-up, will be critical in minimising issues over the upcoming summer months.

It is important to note that, in many flocks, single active drenches are losing their efficacy, with significant pockets of resistance starting to emerge. It is recommended that producers consider a variety of drenching options, noting that the single-active nature of injectables will not be effective in breaking the growing resistance cycle.

For more information on how Elders can support you this spring, contact your local Elders branch.

AGRICON PRODUCTS NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH ELDERS

Agricon manufactures a wide range of supplements for the beef, dairy, sheep and horse industries.

Products include molasses blocks, pasture supplements, feedlot concentrates and equine supplements. Please contact your local Elders store for further information on the extensive Agricon product range.

BLOAT ADE

- designed to assist in the prevention of Bloat - palatable molasses based block - containing alcohol ethoxylate 12A23 - convenient & easy pasture management - no individual dosing of animals

NEWE TRA LAMB

- designed to be fed pre lambing and to lactating ewes and lambs - improves milk production - helps to maintain growth rates - 19% protein including corn - high levels of macro and trace minerals

AVAILABLE IN

18,20,40 & 100KG

MAGFERTET

- suitable for both sheep and cattle grazing cereal crops - designed to assist in the prevention of grass tetany - can be used to supplement other magnesium deficient pastures - high level of energy with 10% magnesium - formulated for weather resistance

FORTAMIN

- suitable for all species including horses - high levels of energy and protein - high levels of macro and trace minerals - can be fed all year round to balance mineral deficiencies

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL ELDERS STORE AGRICON PRODUCTS PH 1800 072 520 www.agricon.com.au

Plant Mainstar – the versatile and highly palatable forage rape.

A fast maturing forage brassica, Mainstar forage rape provides future feed in 10-12 weeks. To protect against feed shortages and help defer a surplus of spring feed into the summer, plant Mainstar today.

• Early maturing; 10-12 weeks • Drymatter potential of 4-10 t DM/ha • Highly palatable with excellent regrowth • High leaf percentage with superior animal preference • Aphid tolerant

Available at your local Elders store today or contact AusWest Seeds / Stephen Pasture Seeds

ausweststephenseeds.com.au

Farming Systems

PLAN FOR SUCCESS WITH MAINSTAR FORAGE RAPE

Michael Grant from Stephen Pasture Seeds Farm advisers are being encouraged to suggest Mainstar forage rape this season for high quality, abundant feed ready for summer and autumn grazing.

Released in 2018, Mainstar forage rape quickly became a firm favourite for summer forage programs and as a first step to pasture renovation on sheep, beef and dairy farms across southern Australia.

Michael Grant, Area Manager with Stephen Pasture Seeds based in Western Victoria, said Mainstar provided a fast track to abundant feed, with better palatability and improved aphid tolerance than older brassica varieties.

“Animals adjust quickly to grazing Mainstar forage rape, which means rapid improvements in liveweight gains and milk production,” he said. “We’ve seen this in a number of demonstration paddocks where farmers sowed paddocks with half Mainstar and half of their previous rape variety – the stock preferentially grazed the Mainstar side every time.”

He said farmers could use Mainstar for finishing young stock in early summer or as a post-weaning feed source, with excellent liveweight gains in lambs of between 150 and 300 grams/head/day or 0.8 to 1.2 kg/head/ day in cattle. Dairy farmers can also expect increased milk production thanks to the high nutritional value of Mainstar.

“A leafy crop of Mainstar forage rape can provide abundant feed in summer and autumn, when most other pastures have dried down and farmers are starting to see feed shortages.

“This additional feed puts farmers in a good position to protect their valuable perennial pastures from overgrazing.” Another point of difference for Mainstar compared with older forage rape varieties is its improved aphid tolerance, according to Mr Grant. “In situations where farmers have moved away from growing forage rape because of damaging aphid attacks, Mainstar provides an opportunity to return to the crop,” he said.

He said farm advisers and agronomists had a major role to play beyond recommending Mainstar rape,

including advice on successful sowing and appropriate management to help farmers make the most of the cropping opportunity. Mainstar forage rape can be sown at rates of 3 to 4 kg/ha as a straight crop or sown at half rates with perennial grazing herbs such as plantain or chicory for greater mineral availability to the grazing animals. The crop grows best with reliable moisture and medium to high soil fertility. Weeds should be controlled prior to sowing with a knockdown herbicide and cultivation.

Mainstar can be planted any time from August to November, but farmers and advisers should factor in ten to twelve weeks from sowing to grazing, as forage rape crops need to ripen before they are grazed. “Mainstar is ready to graze when the leaf margins start turning bronze or purple, generally after the plants have been through a heat or moisture stress period,” said Mr Grant.

Care also needs to be taken during grazing to protect the crop’s regrowth potential. “Because it is so palatable, animals have a tendency to eat the stems as well as the leaves,” he explained. “Where possible, suggest growing two smaller paddocks of Mainstar rather than one bigger paddock to allow better grazing flexibility.”

Mr Grant said Mainstar offered excellent regrowth potential and could be carried through for grazing in late autumn or even winter if desired.

“Alternatively, the forage crop can be grazed out to allow a seamless transition to the establishment of new ryegrass pastures in autumn,” he said. “By going straight into a pasture from a summer crop, there is minimal paddock preparation required and low weed pressure.

“Pastures like Knight Italian diploid ryegrass or One50 perennial ryegrass can provide outstanding dry matter production and high quality feed after the forage crop.”

To find out more about growing summer forage crops and pasture blends, contact your local Elders store or AusWest Seeds & Stephen Pasture Seeds.

81

General Supplies

PLASSON IS A GLOBAL LEADER IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND MANUFACTURE OF INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR PIPELINES We started with fittings for agricultural irrigation and have now developed solutions and systems for water, gas, waste and chemical pipelines. Fluid delivery systems throughout the world owe their excellence to Plasson’s innovative research and development. Plasson fittings have proved to be the most reliable connection systems for polyethylene pipeline systems in Australian conditions for over 40 years.

Plasson delivers state-of-art products to a variety of industries including irrigation, rural, water utilities, plumbing, mining and gas distribution.

WHY CHOOSE PLASSON? □ Same reliable design for over 40 years □ Hand tight assembly for most sizes: No wrenches – No hassles – No leaks □ Captive O-Ring for ease of installation & cannot be lost during assembly or reuse □ Largest fitting range □ Vast range of adaptor and conversion kits □ Extensive stock □ Best logistics and stock systems LARGEST FITTINGS RANGE & EXTENSIVE STOCK: □ Rural to 2” □ Metric to 160mm □ Mechanical tapping saddles to 2” and 180mm □ BSP threaded fitting to 4” □ Valves to 4” □ Electrofusion fittings systems and equipment to 1200mm WE SUPPORT OUR DISTRIBUTORS: □ Service excellence through local expertise and comprehensive field support □ Fast, accurate and efficient dispatch of products □ Merchandising assistance – smart way to display stock and promote your range of Plasson fittings □ Proven products – over forty years of proven performance in harsh Australian conditions □ Attractive commercial arrangements □ Opportunities in new markets such as plumbing, municipal water and larger PE pipe diameter projects □ Inclusion on our online Plasson stockist store locator to promote your Plasson range

82

eldersrural.com.au

ENGINEERED TO LAST

Poly pipe fittings

“When I use Plasson fittings I know that the connection will last, even with changes in ground conditions, line movement and exposure to the elements, making Plasson the smart choice every time.”

Troy Johnson, Providence Station, NT

Largest stock range and availability in Australia Rural to 2” Metric to 160mm Electrofusion to 1200mm Extensive range of saddles, BSP and valves www.plasson.com.au P: 1300 PLASSON (1300 752 776) | E: sales@plasson.com.au

QUATRO

Sizes: 4-14 AUSTRALIA’S ONLY

• Luxurious comfort – regardless of the long days you spend in them

DRIED BOVINE COLOSTRUM

• Includes a 4mm insulated lining (for warmth and comfort) and additional support around the foot and heel.

GLACIER

• Available in full knee and mid-length • Other styles, “Quatro Cool” (not insulated) “Quatro Safety”(hardened rubber toe cap)

CLUTHA

Kwik Start Fast-acting, immune building bovine colostrum supplement – suitable for calves, lambs, kids & foals

AQUA DAIRYSizes: 400gm & 4kg

Sizes: 3-13

• Full knee gumboot, extremely popular with dairy farmers, irrigators and for paddock work – for its light-weight design, 100% natural rubber and cotton properties

STATION GREEN • Provides wet-weather protection with abrasion-resistant, wind and waterproof outer fabric • Applications in any industry • 2-layer PU/PVC coated, 100% polyester

• In-built foam cushion innersole

CLIMATE

• Rear kick-off lug and non-clog cleated sole • Generous ankle dimensions for easy hands-free on/off

PERTH

Technically superior, all-condition gear that’s designed to last

AQUA FLEX

Sizes: 5-15

• Full knee gumboot, built strong for heavier wet terrain • Multiple layers of rubber, bonded to hard-wearing 100% cotton canvas lining • Includes a 1/5 inch (5mm) thick genuine rubber sponge insole for additional comfort, rear kick-off lugs, a rubber toe cap and nonclog cleated sole for grip

FarmWipes

OVERALLS PANTS

Hospital grade disinfectant wipes

IsoSAN

• Extra long, extra tough, with multiple uses on-farm • Kills 99.9% of germs • 70% v/v Isopropyl alcohol pre-saturated wipes

100

TE

OW

D

AUSTRALIAN NE

Liquid hand sanitiser • Ideal for shop counters, on-farm, and in the home • Antibacterial formula • Kills 99.9% of germs • Use without water

75

%

D & O PERA

PARKA

Large Wipes (420mm x 140mm)

daviesway.com.au • Call: 1800 666 269

5L

Animal Health

MANAGING SELENIUM DEFICIENCY Appropriate vitamin and mineral nutrition can ensure optimal immune system function, growth rate and reproductive performance in commercial ruminant production systems.

When addressing supplementation requirements, the historic and current variables specific to the individual production system must be considered as a set and forget system typically fails to account for the fluctuating variables within production environments.

The interactions between animal and environmental factors must also be considered due to their impacts on requirements and availability. TEC Consultant, Pip Houghton, outlines her key advice for managing supplementation and deficiencies. Whilst a standard supplementation program for all applications can be successful, a tailored regime is preferable as it optimises the efficiency of dosing and reduces the likelihood of overdosing certain elements which can easily be toxic.

Some minerals are stored in body tissues (liver, adipose tissue, bone) thereby allowing some level of buffering when animal requirement or dietary levels change. Other minerals are unable to be stored in body tissues at high enough levels, and thus are required consistently in the diet. The aim of supplementation should be to manage tissue stores and meet consistent dietary requirements so that the needs are met consistently.

Selenium is a fat-soluble trace element stored in the liver that works in conjunction with Vitamin E as an antioxidant to prevent and repair cell damage associated with normal metabolic functions. Short and intermittent breaks are usually of little consequence however a continuous supply is preferable. Australian soils are generally deficient in selenium with those dropping below 300 parts per billion considered severe. WAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most significantly affected areas are the high rainfall areas of the south-west especially those situated coastally. Contributing factors of selenium deficiency in soils include treating paddocks with sulphur containing or superphosphate fertilisers, acidic or sandy soil types, rapid pasture growth, and legume dominant pastures.

Any physiological stress induced by nutritional condition, stage of production or disease can elicit symptoms of selenium deficiency. Young calves and lambs are often the most susceptible due to their lack of body reserves, while adult breeding females are also at risk given the metabolic stresses associated with pregnancy and lactation.

The symptoms observed are similar in both cattle and sheep and include the following: weakened immune response (Increased risk of mastitis, scours), white muscle disease, suboptimal fertility, reduced milk and wool production, retained placenta, abortions/perinatal deaths, premature births, poor infant vigour, reduced postnatal survival and growth rate, ill-thrift, chronic diarrhoea and retention of winter coat. Syndromes typical of selenium deficiency such as ill-thrift, lameness, weakness and sudden death can have many different causes. Following the correct procedures will help to avoid misdiagnosis.

To adequately diagnose and manage a deficiency, consider the soil and geographical information, fertiliser regimes, farm history, and the presence or absence of clinical signs typical of deficiency. A pasture tissue test (conducted by wet chemistry, not near infrared spectroscopy) at targeted growth stages will give the best measurement of selenium levels available to livestock.

Where soil tests are available, they can be considered with the pasture tissue test to determine the risk profile.

A blood or post-mortem tissue sample is required to confirm a deficiency and to establish the degree of severity. It is important to consider the sampling strategy to ensure the results are representative.

To continue reading the remainder of this article, click here.

If you would like more information about addressing selenium deficiency, or any other animal health issue, please contact TEC Consultant, Pip Houghton.

85

POULTRY

PIGS

Safe to consume eggs after application (nil withholding period)

Controls sensitive strains of roundworms

Suitable for domestic fowl, including turkeys and other birds

Can be administered into feed or orally

Worm every 3-4 months

Worm every 6 months

Easily mixed into water or administered neat

Worm 2-3 weeks prior to farrowing

ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS

14g/L Levamisole (equivalent to 16.5g/L Levamisole Hydrochloride)

Contact Vetsense via:

Available from your preferred Elders location Go to Vetsense.com.au for more information

ZOETIS AND BEYOND BLUE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH AND REDUCE STIGMA AROUND MENTAL HEALTH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES

PURCHASE FROM ELDERS NOW TO

Leading animal health company Zoetis continues 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 to support the mental health organisation in 2020, the fifth year of this joint campaign.

100,000

HELP $ RAISE

Zoetis, who works closely with rural Australia through interactions with the country’s farmers, agricultural stores, veterinarians and their families, has helped raise $400,000 in the past four years by donating $5 from each sale of the company’s livestock, pig and poultry vaccines and drenches. The money raised goes directly to Beyond Blue’s 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 Beyond Blue service.

“This year has brought its challenges and over the past couple of months, people have been telling us they’re feeling overwhelmed, worried, lonely, and concerned about their physical health. They’re also concerned about the health of friends and loved ones, finances, job security and the economy.”

“Community, mateship and humour are very much part of our national character and they’re qualities people in rural and regional areas demonstrate every day. These will be tremendous strengths as we support each other through these difficult times,” said Ms Harman.

TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH IN RURAL AUSTRALIA “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.”

2020 has been a considerably challenging year for Australian communities, with record breaking droughts, devastating bushfires, serious flooding and now, the global pandemic COVID-19. Up to 33% of Australia has suffered from severe rainfall deficiency over the past four years up to January 2020 1. Although much needed rainfall was delivered at the beginning of 2020, this was overshadowed by the wave of bushfires that ravaged 18 million hectares of land, destroying more than 2000 homes. Just as the fires had subsided, severe flooding swept through parts of New South Wales and Queensland, and more recently Australia started its battle with COVID-19, forcing people into their homes and obstructing recovery from the previous natural disasters.

For every Zoetis cattle, sheep, pig, poultry or goat vaccine or parasiticide sold by Zoetis between 15 July and 31 October 2020, Zoetis will donate $5, up to $100,000 to Beyond Blue.

"$100,000 will Since the partnership between Zoetis and Beyond assist 2,083 people Blue started in * 2016, calls to the Support Service in Australia" have increased by 20 per cent, and the number of

Georgie Harman - CEO for Beyond people calling helpBlue is expected to be even higher

this year. In April alone, Beyond Blue experienced Beyond Blue Lead Clinical Advisor Dr Grant Blashki said a 60% increase in contacts compared to the same in any disaster recovery, it is tempting for people to time last year. “This is a good sign because it means throw themselves into the physical rebuild, but it is just more people are reaching out for support. That tells as©important that we invest in our mental health too. us there’s less425. stigma to support Zoetis Australia Pty Ltd. less ABN 94and 156 476 Level 6, attached 5 Rider Boulevard, Rhodes NSW 2138.

2020 Zoetis Inc. Beyond All rightsseeking,” reserved 05/20 ZL1198 Blue CEO Georgie Harman said. *Assistance through the Beyond Blue Support Service

87

“We know that coming together physically as a community after a disaster is good for our mental health and wellbeing. At a time when we still need to maintain physical distance, let’s make an effort to do that safely and remember we can stay connected in other ways,” Dr Blashki said.

part of his strategy for keeping well is having people in his life who know the signs that he might be struggling.

It’s this network of support, Ross’ wife, colleagues and counsellor who help him when things get tough. But Ross worries that some farmers don’t have the same support.

“Call or use video chat to check in with each other. If people have limited or no access to digital devices or the internet, having a chat with a neighbour over the fence while keeping an appropriate physical distance can be beneficial.”

“Farmers often work by themselves and are tied to their land most of the time. I think there’s a lot to benefit from being involved in off farm activities, whether that be a local sporting club or farming discussion group to have that social connection. To me that’s the linchpin for farmers and it can make a huge difference.”

The Beyond Blue Support Service offers free contact with counsellors by phone, webchat or email. In addition to the Support Service, Beyond Blue’s online resources can help people turn their lives around. With more than 100,000 people using Beyond Blue’s online forums every month, tapping into an online peer support network offering people connection and support from others who have been through similar experiences. The forums are monitored by a team of moderators who are trained to offer support to users and ensure conversations are safe and welcoming.

Ms Harman explained that all funds raised by Zoetis go towards the Beyond Blue Support Service. “Every dollar raised goes directly to our phone and online services which are an excellent way for people to get the assistance they need, regardless of location. In fact, it’s very encouraging to see that people in rural and remote communities access the Beyond Blue online forums at a proportionally higher rate than people living in the cities,” Ms Harman said.

“People in rural Australia have been through some tough times recently, and thanks to generous donations such as this one, Beyond Blue can continue to offer free support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” Ms Harman said. People can support the Zoetis initiative from July 15 to October 31, 2020. For every animal health product sold by Zoetis, they will donate $5, up to $100,000 to Beyond Blue.

PERSONAL STORIES Ross Read has spent most of his life living and working around the dairy industry. From the family farm he grew up on near Shepparton to Ross’ current job with Dairy Australia providing training for farmers and their employees, farming has always been a big part of his life. Yet there is another part to Ross’ life which he has only more recently come to terms with. Ross now recognises his depression and anxiety have been simmering in the background for years and he can now talk about them openly.

“I’ve been seeing a counsellor now for about 10 years, she’s helped me to recognise that some of the thoughts and feelings which I thought everyone had are actually signs of mental illness,” Ross explains. Ross said that

88

eldersrural.com.au

Leah Milston hasn’t been back to the land where her store once stood since January 1 this year.

Her book and gift shop, Milston’s Past and Present, was the last shop on the northern edge of Mogo, a small town 10-minutes’ drive down the Princes Highway from Bateman’s Bay on the NSW south coast. On December 31 at 6am, Leah woke to the phone ringing.

“On the other end of the line was a message from the Rural Fire Service telling us to evacuate now and to head East to Tomakin Beach. While I was on the phone, my partner David opened the curtains to a glowing red sky,” she said. The next morning, Leah and her partner David saw an article on the news and the shop was gone.

“We had to see it for ourselves. It took me a little while to even get out of the car once we arrived. I spent some time walking around the ashes of the shop looking for anything that might have survived the fire, but it was all gone,” she said. Leah and David have since moved to Katoomba in the heart of the Blue Mountains. Even though they’re not physically part of the Mogo community anymore, they keep connected through social media.

“Facebook has been really useful for finding all kinds of support, from being part of the local community noticeboard where we used to live to old friends who I haven’t spoken to in years checking in with us,” she said. Leah is also a long-term user of Beyond Blue’s online Community Forums and has become a Peer Support Champion, helping to moderate the forums and support other users.

As a fifth-generation farmer, Rick Hinge knows all too well the hardships of a life on the land.

Rick lives with his wife Lynette in Mundulla, South Australia. He works in livestock management and for the last few years he has been a wellbeing consultant, checking in on people and offering a sympathetic ear.

“It’s people working in agriculture who often feel the pinch of hard times first, there’s not a lot protecting

“2020 has been a considerably challenging year for Australian communities, with record breaking droughts, devastating bushfires, serious flooding and now, the global pandemic COVID-19. Up to 33% of Australia has suffered from severe rainfall deficiency over the past four years up to January 20201.” them if their crops fail, livestock is lost or prices drop.

These difficult times can make it hard for people to communicate and put a strain on relationships,” Rick said. Over the last summer, Rick and Lynette volunteered on Kangaroo Island in the aftermath of the bushfires. “We helped where we could, rolling up damaged fences and what not, but we were also talking to people and seeing how they were travelling,” he said.

Rick said that this method of working and talking has also been helpful for his own mental health. “I’ve lived with bipolar for the last 39 years and I find that when I’m well I’m 100 per cent and, mostly when unwell, I experience depression and anxiety which can last for 6 months or so,” he said.

“The last time I was down, I rang one of my farming friends and asked him if it would be okay to come over.

We went around tending to his livestock and doing farm things, just spending time with him and hanging about, it was very therapeutic. People in rural communities can easily offer time to each other when things are tough, reach out to someone and ask if they’d like to go for a drive, clean out the troughs or just look at the country,” Rick added.

MORE INFORMATION

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 now open on 1800 512 348.

1

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology

89

Animal Health

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT THIS SPRING: CHECKLIST FOR CATTLE PRODUCERS

With spring calving and weaning fast approaching, there are a range of steps cattle producers can and should take to facilitate the effective regeneration of their herd following a difficult 12 months for many. The below outlines some considerations for this spring.

90

eldersrural.com.au

Trace mineral deficiencies

Parasites

The abundance of feed available on the back of a relatively good season has increased the dilution of trace minerals in cattle â&#x20AC;&#x201C; key components in maintaining healthy immune systems. While a mineral supplement program can combat dilution, it can have significant ramifications for fertility, so it is crucial producers are properly informed before administration.

The recent season has increased the threat of parasites throughout the herd, which can be particularly detrimental to weaners. Single active pour-on drenches are losing their efficacy, with significant pockets of resistance starting to emerge. Producers should consider a variety of drenching options, including a combination pour-on drench or combination oral drench.

Adequate heifer growth rate

Elders offers an extensive range of internal and external parasite and vaccine products as well as a wide range of supplements and feeds to improve overall herd nutrition and productivity. Our livestock production advisors can provide expert guidance and assist with experiencebased planning.

If heifers are to enjoy strong reproductive performance throughout their breeding life, it is crucial they experience a nice, even upward growth trend during puberty. Heifers should be reaching at least 66 per cent of their adult weight by first joining.

Protect your assets Elders Livestock-in-Transit Delivery Warranty guarantees the livestock you purchase or sell through Elders will be delivered alive to the relevant delivery location. If those livestock are not delivered alive (or require humane destruction), Elders will compensate you for the value of stock lost. > Optimise your cashflow > Adequate cashflow is crucial for any business irrespective of season, and producers should be aware of the services available to them to help with cash flow management. > Elders WoolPlus advance provides access to a larger proportion (up to 50 per cent) of your expected wool proceeds significantly earlier than traditional shearing advances (up to six months prior to wool sale). > In partnership with strategic agri-finance provider StockCo, Elders is able to assist producers looking to restock and capture trading opportunities by providing up to 100 per cent financing for 12 months for cattle purchases up to $100,000, with no deposit or capital input required. > StudPlus can give you with the financial flexibility you need to make the best stud stock buying decisions, providing eligible livestock producers with access to an advance amount of up to $100,000 to purchase stock for breeding purposes including stud and commercial sires, genetics and stud dams. > Consider alternative selling platforms > In the current climate it is crucial that producers are providing the market with multiple buying avenues. Elders provides clients with a range of livestock marketing options, including online, realtime auctions through AuctionsPlus â&#x20AC;&#x201C; allowing commodity transactions, reserve price setting and legal change of ownership without the seller, buyer or product having to come together physically at the time of the sale.

For more information on how Elders can support you, contact your local Elders branch.

Elders livestock Funding Elders offers 100% funding of up to $100,000 with 12 month payment terms on all commercial sheep and cattle purchases. The application process is quick and easy and you can repay at any time with no penalty or by sale proceeds, when the stock is sold.

StockCo Terms, conditions, fees, charges and credit assessment criteria apply.

You should seek advice on the appropriateness of products in relation to your particular circumstances. Products are distributed by Elders Rural Services Australia Limited ACN 004 045 121 and issued by StockCo AgriCapital Pty Limited ACN 604 825 747

91

General Supplies

CHOOSING THE RIGHT AIRCRAFT OIL IS AS EASY AS 1,2,3 Uniquely Australian, helicopter mustering is necessary to cover the wide spanning Australian outback when gathering livestock. Mustering is often performed in one of a kind conditions including dust storms and extreme heat with the presence of constant distractions for the pilot. Working in these conditions in remote environments, over extended periods of time, emphases the importance of using the right products that you can rely on.

Choosing the right oil for your aircraft can be a confusing and overwhelming task. Here are the 3 things to consider when deciding what oil to use: BREAK-IN OIL VS WORKING OIL Did you know that using the wrong type of oil can result in hefty repair bills? For the majority of aircraft piston engines, selecting the right type and grade of oil is important to maximise engine performance and engine life. Use a break-in oil, like AeroShell Oil 100, which contains minimal additives, to ensure that your engine’s piston rings are well-seated during run-in. For regular operations, use an ashless dispersant working oil from the AeroShell W or W Plus series oils to keep your engine well protected from wear and corrosion.

Break-in Oil > Used for break-in process of new or newly overhauled engines > Do not contain additives except for a small amount of pour-point depressant and an antioxidant which helps achieve cylinder wear required in break-in process > Examples of break-in Oil: AeroShell Oil 80/100/120 (choose viscosity based on ambient temperature) Working Oil > Ashless dispersant oil used for the normal operation of all four-stroke aviation piston engines > W oils contains standard additives package > W Plus oils and W15W-50 are premium oils containing the standard additive, plus an additional anti-wear and corrosion inhibiting additive package

Did you know engine wear typically happens during cold start up? Using the correct viscosity grade for the right ambient temperature ensures your engine receives the protection it needs from the moment you start your engine. Using a multi-grade oil like AeroShell W15W-50 ensures your engine is well protected, no matter the season you are flying in.

Lycoming approved an oil additive LW-16702 to be used on their piston engines. This additive contains an antiscuffing agent which can dramatically reduce engine wear. FAA AD 80-04-03 R2 also requires this same additive, or its equivalent, to be added to Lycoming O-320-H, O-360-E, LO-360-E, TO-360-E, LTO-360-E series engines to prevent excessive wear and oil system contamination associated with hydraulic lifters spalling on.

Did you know modern piston engine oils like AeroShell W100 Plus and AeroShell W15W-50 have the identical Textron Lycoming additive LW-16702 premixed into their formulations for your convenience? This eliminates the need for you to separately purchase and manually add LW-16702 or its equivalent into your engines, saving you time, effort and potentially money.

Premium Working Oils > AeroShell W Plus oils and AeroShell W15W-50 are premium oils containing the same ashless dispersant additives found in its W oils, together with an additional anti-wear and corrosion inhibiting additive package that is identical to the Textron Lycoming additive, LW-16702 > Premixed additives for your convenience.

Ambient Air Temperature (°C) Below -17 -15

-10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 Above 32 AeroShell W80 (SAE 40) -17° to 21°C AeroShell W100 (SAE 50) 16° to 32°C) AeroShell W120 (SAE 60) (above 26°C) AeroShell W 15W-50 (All Season)

2. Viscosity Grade vs Temperature This chart provides approximate guidance for selecting the most suitable grade of oil based on the average ambient outside air temperature at engine start-up.

AeroShell W15W-50 is a multi-grade oil with viscosity stability in both cold and warm climates, making it a great choice for all seasons.

92

eldersrural.com.au

For Best Practice Cow Lifting

10OF% F

Lifter The Cow rap Belly St

Cow Lifter Belly Strap The Cow Lifter Belly Strap has been designed to assist when lifting a cow with a hip clamp device. Whilst the clamp lifts the rear of the cow, the belly strap can be used behind her front legs for more comfortable lifting (as per best practice guidelines).

• Quality tear-proof PVC sling with strong, webbing reinforcement • Enhanced animal comfort and safety • Practical and easy fork attachment • To be used with a hip clamp device

Shoof Code: 222 233

www.shoof.com.au

10087

Visit your local Elders store for more information or view the Shoof catalogue online.

Animal Health

MOOVING ON UP TO BEST PRACTICE ON FARM FOR DEALING WITH DOWN COWS Technology in all forms is continually opening doors to allow us to better understand the implications of our farming practices for the long-term viability of our operation, and that includes effective management and welfare of our animals. There is a real surge in product development and tools to achieve best practice in managing animal health outcomes that is likely to continue.

Down cows are a source of frustration and stress for farmers everywhere. Let’s face it – not only does it hit the farmer in the pocket, it’s also not an enjoyable experience for our animals.

When faced with down cows – time is of the essence, we must have reliable equipment that provides quick and easy solutions. The Cow Lifter Belly Strap has been developed and manufactured by Shoof International for use with a hip lifter as a best practice solution to get those down cows moving again. The benefit of course, is to ensure a more efficient and safer lifting process for all involved.

Whilst the clamp lifts the rear of the cow, the belly strap is used behind the front legs for a comfortable, balanced lift. Maintaining balance gives the opportunity to assess weight bearing on all legs before loosening and enhances appropriate restraint. Safer for the handler, safer for the cow.

Used with the clamp on one side of the fork and the belly strap on the other and with a connecting chain of the right length. This sees the cow lifted crossways

to the tractor. Cow Lifter Belly Strap is made from tearproof PVC with 50mm webbing reinforcement. At 2.4m long keeper-to-keeper and 20cm wide it is suitable for cows of any size and weight. Designed in line with best practice guidelines the Cow Lifter Belly strap is durable and practical. Available at your local Elders branch.

Shoof Farmer tip: What to look for in a Hip Clamp: > Spindle with a double directional thread. This makes it easy to wind/close for lifting and quick release when the cow has been lifted and starts to improve > Large diameter and well-padded hip rings - Reduces damage and chafing during the lift > Handle able to be used on both sides – for quick and easy use - no matter what position your downer cow is in > Cow Lifter Hip Clamp – Kerbl - 201 613 > Vink Hip Clamp – 201 616 View these products online at shoof.com.au, collect a copy of our full catalogue at your local Elders branch or call Shoof on 1800 121 801

95

EASIER LIVESTOCK HANDLING

Contact us today for help with your new or existing stockyards

See the full range: www.arrowquip.com.au/SYB or call 1800 814 107

Fencing

ARE YOU HANDLING YOUR LIVESTOCK CORRECTLY? Handling livestock the wrong way can cost you dearly. Not only can it cause you to lose hours of your valuable time, but it can also cost you through the reduced saleability of your product.

In recent studies, the stress imposed by improper handling had a more significant detrimental effect on the animal's physiology than the stress of feed and water deprivation for the same length of time. Dark cutting alone costs the beef industry $36 million a year.

Poorly designed livestock handling systems are a key driver of improper handling and are the leading cause of livestock-related workplace injuries. The most critical factors when building these systems are the design of the yard, its construction, and a proper focus on safety for the operator and the animal. Any of these factors will lead to improper handling if not given due attention.

disrupt animals' temperament, making them dangerous to manage. Additionally, a lack of safety features, like sliding draft gates, animal-free zones, or ratcheting force gates, can also increase the risk posed to those trying to manage the livestock. Thankfully, the majority of the problems are easily solved by better quality yard systems with attention to detail that optimises design.

These are the three ways inadequate yard systems cause problems, and what you can do to solve it. First, poorly designed yard layouts prevent livestock from smoothly flowing through the system. Square yards, straight races, and incorrectly designed forcing yards all contribute to the inefficiency of a yard system. While straightforward rectangular designs might look good on paper, they often go against the grain of natural animal behaviour. Livestock are calmed by sweeping, curving movement that makes them feel like they are returning to where they started. Something as simple as changing a yard's layout from a square to a circular design has been proven to increase efficiency by a noticeable amount, as the cattle flow through calmly and quietly.

When it comes to creating well-designed yard systems, the Arrowquip team continually find themselves coming back to the same single point. If this one thing is taken care of during the design and manufacture of yard systems, it will lead to better yards that make livestock handling easier, quicker, smoother, and safer. This single idea is at the core of every product and system we design and build, and is simple to understand. The more the system decreases the stress placed on livestock,the better that system will work.

The second reason subpar yard systems cost you money is through poor construction. Lightly constructed yards with inferior materials can increase animal and operator stress because of poor lighting and visibility, excess noise, and of course rust or related damage harming animals and operators. Stockyards are a long-term investment (50-100 years), and inferior construction will not only cost you in the day to day operation but also in the lifetime cost of maintaining and/or replacing inferior systems, which can be very expensive.

The third and most crucial way inferior yard systems will affect your operation is through a lack of safety. Low quality and poorly designed yards can become serious safety risks for both the livestock moving through and for the yard operators. Sharp features like protruding bolts or bent and broken low-quality panels can cause physical harm. Moreover, a poorly designed layout can

This philosophy of creating products that facilitate lowstress livestock handling is the underlying core ideal beneath everything we do at Arrowquip. By learning, researching and building upon existing knowledge about natural animal behaviour, it is possible to create systems that dramatically reduce operator workload, while increasing overall efficiency. Our patented Bud Flow forcing yard is an example of this. The wellresearched and proven Bud Flow design calms cattle and keeps them moving forward. Then, with operator safety in mind, the addition of a ratcheting lock on the crowd-gate prevents cattle from pushing the gate back.

Even simple additions like a sliding gate behind the crush can improve efficiency by preventing cattle form backing up the race, and save you time and money. But the safest and most efficient crush, or forcing yard, or curved race, won't make too big of a difference if it is added to a set of mediocre or poor yards. The important thing, when it comes to reducing stress for your stock, is having a holistic view of yard design. You need to ensure that every step is working to your advantage, from the pens and forcing yard, to the crush and out the draft.

97

Real Estate

AUSTRALIAN FARMLAND VALUES OUTLOOK

Tom Russo, General Manager Real Estate, Elders

We have seen very robust appreciation in farmland values in recent years, so it’s a fair question to ask “how long can this be sustained”. It really comes back to an issue of supply and demand.

Transaction volumes have been historically low over the last 18 months, indicating that there is constrained supply of farmland offerings as existing owners retain their assets and look to expand. This has occurred at a time where there has been high demand on the buy side, driven primarily by a near perfect storm of variables, such as: > Healthy commodity prices driven by strong long term fundamentals in demand for Australian agricultural products globally > Low cost of capital with record low interest rates > A favourable Aussie dollar, notwithstanding recent appreciation > Access to capital with healthy farm balance sheets driven by strong operational performance and land appreciation > Favourable seasonal conditions At its most basic level, the question we’re asking here is really “will the supply/demand dynamics rebalance and, if so, when?”.

One of the really interesting themes we’ve seen in the last 12 to 18 months is that even in those regions experiencing extreme drought conditions, values increased due to low liquidity but high buyer demand. So, can we expect the balance to shift in favour of buyers? Let’s look at the key variables that will drive this.

ON THE BUY SIDE: Market sentiment: > This is undeniably buoyant, driven largely by strong term fundamentals in demand for agricultural products and resulting outlook for commodity prices. Whilst GDP may take a hit in the short to medium term, populations continue to grow and there are more and more mouths to feed. > We can now also throw on top of this an excellent break in the season which is driving confidence. If you look at lamb and mutton as an example, the re-stocker market will be very strong and there is enormous confidence within the industry with producers looking at strong returns. We are seeing this flow through to the farmland market as producers seek to acquire more land is order to expand their flocks. We are seeing DSE rates as high as $1,000 in high rainfall areas.

Cost of capital: > We have record low interest rates and I think it would take a brave person to punt on sharp rise any time soon.

Access to capital: > Debt: All our discussions with major banks, is that our industry is very much viewed as a safe haven.

The banks are very much open for business. > Farmer equity: strong as a result of existing real estate portfolio performance and historically low farm debt position.

98

eldersrural.com.au

> Investment scale market: > Will investors move to preserve cash ratherthan invest into alternative and ag assets? > Will the AUD volatility scare some pools of capital off or make buying that much more attractive? > The large fund managers are very wellset, with excellent domestic executive and operational management teams, plus strong investor support. > Mid tier investment managers may see a tightening in ability to raise capital.

Weight of capital: With all of this in mind, the result is that there remains strong weight of capital looking for a home in the Australian farmland market from more pools of capital than we’ve ever seen, ranging from local farmers, through to Australian and offshore corporate farms and institutional investors accessing the market through well establish intermediaries who now have solid track records justifying further investment.

ON THE SELL SIDE: Could increased liquidity absorb this demand? > The increase in liquidity will be interesting to watch. Whilst some owners are now prepared to offer their properties to market given their improved presentation in favourable seasons, others are finally set to take advantage of the seasons to produce operational profits, and are therefore going nowhere. > Our own network activity suggests there is a strong increase in listings, particularly in areas coming out of drought. > My view is that the increased liquidity will not materially rebalance supply and demand and we will still see a seller’s market for quite some time.

Willingness to pay: So, will the weight of capital still be willing to pay at appreciating values? I do believe that there will come a point where returns on investment will slow down rapid land value appreciation. My view is that we are probably approaching that level and we can expect growth this year, albeit at a more subdued level.

Beef Australia 2021

2-8 May 2021 | Rockhampton QLD

Visit your local Elders branch and purchase over $1,000 worth of products in a single transaction from our key event partners to automatically go in the draw. Competition closes 5pm AEST Friday 9 October 2020. Terms and conditions apply.

Visit www.eldersrural.com.au/beef21

THINKING OF SELLING?

Leverage Australia’s most trusted agricultural brand

According to two market research houses, Elders is by far the most trusted brand in Australian agribusiness and has the most satisfied real estate clients in Australia.

List this Spring with a team you can trust to deliver you the best results.

IT’S THE LOCAL KNOWLEDGE.

The kind you just can’t buy.

eldersrealestate.com.au

Real Estate

Animal Health

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT THIS SPRING: WOOL CHECKLIST With spring fast approaching, now is the perfect time to conduct a spring clean to ensure the backend of your operation is running smoothly. With increasing market competition, it has never been more important to make sure unnecessary administrative costs and errors aren’t eating into your profits.

Below are some pointers on how growers can best ensure their plans and processes are conducive to a productive spring season.

MAKE SURE YOU’RE UP TO DATE WITH CLASSER SPECIFICATION PAPERWORK Inaccurate, incomplete and even missing administrative processes continue to plague the industry, causing delays and mistakes along the supply chain that ultimately eat into growers’ earnings.

The recent updates to the National Wool Declaration (NWD) have, by design, made older paperwork and frameworks redundant – so it is crucial you are working with the latest templates as circulated in this season’s Elders Classer Specification package. Within the package is Elders’ Wool Classer Checklist - a comprehensive guide to exactly what you need to do to ensure the process of getting your wool sold is as smooth as possible. > Manage your risk with Guaranteed Minimum Price (GMP) contracts > As with all commodities, price volatility is risk that must be managed by producers. To mitigate the risks and uncertainty associated with price fluctuations, producers should consider entering into Guaranteed Minimum Price (GMP) contracts.

GMP contracts allow wool producers to lock in a base price for wool at a specified future date, removing the inherent downside market risks without compromising their ability to benefit from upside market trends. Consult with your District Wool Manager for further details and pricing. > Optimise your cash flow > Adequate cashflow is crucial for any business irrespective of season, and producers should be aware of the services available to them to help with cash flow management. > Elders WoolPlus advance provides access to a larger proportion (up to 50 per cent) of your expected wool proceeds significantly earlier than traditional shearing advances (up to six months prior to wool sale).

100

eldersrural.com.au

> In partnership with strategic agri-finance provider StockCo, Elders is able to assist producers looking to restock or capture trading opportunities by providing up to 100 per cent funding for sheep purchases, with no deposit or capital input required. Finishing finance allows the producer to grow the stock through to its maximum sale value and, once sold, the producer will receive the sale value less the purchase price and finance cost.

Breeder finance allows the producer to restock their flock with no impact to working capital and flexible repayment terms that can be timed to income events.

CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE SELLING PLATFORMS. In the current climate it is crucial that producers are providing the market with multiple buying avenues. Elders provides clients with a range of livestock marketing options, including online, real-time auctions through AuctionsPlus – allowing commodity transactions, reserve price setting and legal change of ownership without the seller, buyer or product having to come together physically at the time of the sale. This may also include online auctions.

For more information on how Elders can support you this spring, contact your local Elders branch.

WoolPlus Subject to credit approval. For full terms and conditions contact your local Elders branch.

StockCo Terms, conditions, fees, charges and credit assessment criteria apply.

You should seek advice on the appropriateness of products in relation to your particular circumstances. Products are distributed by Elders Rural Services Australia Limited ACN 004 045 121 and issued by StockCo AgriCapital Pty Limited ACN 604 825 747

Make Spring your season. visit eldersrural.com.au/spring2020