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Elders invests in growing seed genetics division The first choice for sheep summer drench programs
ELDERS INVESTS IN GROWING SEED GENETICS DIVISION
Elders is investing in the expansion of its growing seed genetics business, EPG Seeds. EPG Seeds will distribute the company’s expanding range of wheat, barley, oats and forage sorghum varieties including its latest releases, EG Titanium and LG Gold wheat and LG Alestar barley.
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Elders CEO and Managing Director Mark Allison says the company has been involved in plant breeding and introducing crop genetics to Australian farmers for decades.
“These added investments will take these operations to a new level and expand the distribution of innovative grain and forage varieties to new customers, with the backing of Elders,” Mr Allison said.
EPG Seeds is investing in new distribution channels so its products will be more readily available beyond the Elders branch network through rural supplies wholesaler, AIRR and all national reseller networks.
Chris Willis, Elders Category Manager, said a new website and brand identity and more people for EPG Seeds will give growers better access to the very best in seed genetics bred in Australia and overseas.
EPG Seeds has an impressive range of current and new varieties in the pipeline.
“Our latest wheat variety for the south, EG Titanium, is a full season, robust, high yielding Australian Hard (AH) variety which provides a good planting option to spread seasonal risk. Best suited to medium to high rainfall zones, it performs well in Tasmania, southern Victoria and the higher rainfall regions of South Australia,” Mr Willis said.
“Growers in northern NSW and the Darling Downs should consider LG Gold in their 2022 cropping program, another high performing AH quality wheat variety that is well suited to late planting and has superior yield maturity, an excellent disease profile, consistently high protein and very low screenings all in one package.”
Mr Willis said the newly malt accredited LG Alestar barley consistently produces high quality malt, so it is sought after by local maltsters and brewers and attracting interest from Japanese beverage makers. “Two large Australian maltsters are contracting LG Alestar crops for 2022, while several buyers are setting up segregations in South Australia, southern NSW and Victoria,” he said.
“There is also growing demand for LG Alestar malt from Coopers Brewery Ltd based in South Australia and the domestic brewing industry across the country.
“This variety demonstrates the value of identifying market traits and developing varieties to suit the needs of end users.”
In the latest developments, Mr Willis said EPG Seeds is conducting advanced trials with wheat lines showing resistance to Russian wheat aphid and crown rot, as well as collaborating in a high protein gene breeding program.
“We are also looking into an awnless winter wheat from the United Kingdom crossed with an Australian spring wheat which is showing good yield potential and dry tolerance,” he said.
“While we are still monitoring its performance and it has yet to be classified for quality, this line is showing promise as a graze and grain type for southern Australia.
“Developments like these will build on the success of current releases from Elders such as Banker and Lantern forage sorghum and Graza 85, Graza 53 and Boss forage oats.”
Mr Willis added EPG Seeds varieties will continue to benefit from the experience and insights of Elders agronomists and technical services team members in assessing and selecting varieties for release.
The most promising performers will continue to be showcased each year at Elders technology and demonstration sites around the country, allowing growers and agronomists to assess them first-hand before release.
NEW 21 DAY ESI
Your customers’ sheep need the best protection against worms for optimal health and performance. Zolvix Plus is the only combination drench that delivers the power of monepantel. Its unique mode of action provides >99.9% efficacy against a broad spectrum of internal parasites, including single, double and triple resistant strains.1,2 Its new 21-day Export Slaughter Interval is the lowest of any combination drench containing abamectin, making Zolvix Plus the first choice weaning and summer drench. Always read and follow the label directions.
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THE FIRST CHOICE FOR SHEEP SUMMER DRENCH PROGRAMS
Kathryn Humphries, Senior Brand Manager Elanco
As the only combination drench containing monepantel, which delivers high efficacy against a broad spectrum of internal parasites, and with a new Export Slaughter Interval of just 21 days, Zolvix™ Plus is the first choice for weaning and summer drenching programs.
Elanco Senior Brand Manager – Sheep, Dr Kathryn Humphries, says lambs, weaners and ewes need the best protection against worms for optimal health and performance.
“Weaners are particularly susceptible to disease and parasites,” she says. “Lambs reared in moderate to high rainfall regions should always be drenched at weaning and then again at the first summer drench.1 For those born later in the season, the weaning drench may coincide with the first summer drench, which is the cornerstone of strategic worm control in south-eastern Australia.
“The first summer drench helps to minimise pasture contamination, the carry-over of worm populations over summer and create ‘low risk’ pastures for the next lambing. Effective worm control in ewes during this time can also optimise post-weaning recovery.”
In south-eastern Australia, the first summer drench is typically administered between mid-October and December. In Western Australia, weaners typically receive a summer drench, while ewes are recommended to be drenched in autumn (often described as ‘summer-autumn’ drenching).
Dr Humphries says the timing of the first summer drench will vary depending on the local conditions. “For the second summer drench, worm egg count monitoring should be undertaken from about six weeks after the first summer drench,” she says. “Administer a second summer drench if egg counts have increased to 80–100 epg.1 If the WEC is below the threshold then monitor again four weeks later and drench if required.”
Dr Humphries says it is vital for lamb and wool producers to use a drench that is known to be ‘fully effective’ (i.e. >98pc efficacy).1 “There is widespread single, double and triple resistance to all older active ingredients, including moxidectin2,” she says.
“Any reduction in drench efficacy has a direct impact on the health and productivity of your sheep throughout the year. Even mild or moderate levels of drench resistance can reduce potential income by 2–10 per cent (pc).3.” feed costs),4 it is estimated that a 15pc reduction in drench efficacy costs more than $3/ewe in lost production, while a 5pc reduction in drench efficacy costs more than $15/ewe in lost production.
“Viewed another way, the hidden cost of reduced drench efficacy is often more than the total cost of the annual drenching program – and that’s before labour is considered,” she says. “Paying a few cents per head more for a drench that is known to be ‘fully effective’ is a sound investment.”
Zolvix Plus is a unique combination drench that contains monepantel, the only member of the amino-acetonitrile derivative or ‘orange’ class of anthelmintics, and abamectin.
“As short-acting, broad spectrum drenches with different modes of action, monepantel and abamectin are ideal combination partners,” Dr Humphries says. “Monepantel’s unique mode of action provides >99.9pc efficacy against a broad spectrum of internal parasites, including single, double and triple resistant strains5,6, which means it is ideal for use if the resistance status is unknown.
“Its new 21-day ESI is the lowest of any combination drench containing abamectin, which means you can provide your sheep with premium protection without impacting your management or marketing options.”
Zolvix Plus controls all economically-important roundworm species, including AAD-sensitive immature (L4) stages of Haemonchus contortus and Teladorsagia circumcincta in sheep where a combination of a macrocyclic lactone and derquantel is less effective.5
To find out more visit your local Elders branch. Always read and follow label directions. References: 1. wormboss.com.au. 2. Playford, M.C. et al. (2014). Prevalence and severity of anthelmintic resistance in ovine gastrointestinal nematodes in Australia (2009-2012). Aust Vet J 92(12):464–471. 3. Besier, R.B., et al. (1996). Drench resistance – a large economic cost. J. Agric. West. Aust. 37:60–63. 4. dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/budgets/livestock 5. Refer to registered label. 6. Hosking, B.C. et al. (2010). A pooled analysis of the efficacy of monepantel, an amino-acetonitrile derivative against gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep. Parasitol Res 106:529-532.
Zolvix Plus contains 25 g/L monepantel and 2 g/L abamectin. Zolvix™, Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. ©2021 Elanco or its affiliates. EAH21584 PM-AU-21-0443
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SUMMER DRENCHING DON’T LET THE WORMS BURN YOU!
Written by Dr Tim Elliott
Dr Tim Elliott is a large animal scientist with over 15 years’ experience. Tim has a particular interest in production animal parasitology and drug resistance. Tim’s work has been published in internationally renowned journals and has presented his work around Australia for scientific audiences and farmer groups.
The summer drench is a strategic drench which aims to reduce the worm population using the dry summer heat. Summer drenching is well known by sheep producers in Australia, in particular in regions which have uniform or winter rainfall.
The summer drench is very effective in lowering the amount of worms that are present in Autumn and Winter as the dry hot weather reduces the amount of worm eggs and larvae on the pasture. However, one of the issues that has arrived from this practice if not done correctly, is the selection for drench resistant worms. Any worms that survive the summer drench, can be carried by the sheep over the summer period into Autumn where they contaminate the pasture with drench resistant worm eggs that then develop into infective larvae.
The timing of the summer drench is not a set date or management event like other strategic drenches such as the pre-lambing drench and the weaning drench. The timing of the first summer drench will depend on when the weather conditions are no longer suitable for worm egg development and larvae survival. This is when the days become consistently hotter, the humidity drops, and the pasture begins to hay off.
The drench selection for a first summer drench will depend on a number of factors: > 1. Selecting a drench that is currently highly effective on the property (ideally with efficacy above 98%). > 2. Selecting a drench with a short withhold period (WHP) and export slaughter interval (ESI) if the animals are to be sold soon. > 3. Using combination drenches are recommended due to their ability to obtain higher efficacy than single active drenches and slow down the development of resistance.
It is recommended to use a highly effective combination drench as your first summer drench. The table below provides my preferred options. The choice of the first summer drench will be affected by the drenches that were used pre-lambing and at weaning as ideally, they will be different drenches.
RECOMMENDED FIRST SUMMER DRENCHES:
14 days after the first summer drench has been given, a faecal egg count (FEC) should be performed to confirm that all of the worms have been removed.
SECOND SUMMER DRENCH:
The need for a second summer drench is based on the season and on results of an FEC. If the summer has been hot with very little rainfall, then there is a good chance that the animals have not picked up many worms from the pasture over the summer period. It is important to have an FEC performed on the animals to determine if a second drench is required.
On the other hand, if there has been some good summer rainfall or storms, this can cause a spike in worm numbers especially for the highly pathogenic barber’s pole worm. If a rainfall event of over 12 mm has occurred in a day, combined with warm weather, this can be enough to allow the worm eggs to hatch on the pasture and infect the animals. If this does occur, perform a FEC 4 weeks after the rainfall event to assess if the animals have become infected.
Using an effective summer drench and monitoring your sheep via FECs during the summer and into the autumn will ensure that the pasture contamination from worms is lowered without any unnecessary drenching.
Your advisor or local sales representative should be consulted to ensure that you implement a sustainable approach to worm control on your property.
WHERE DOES IT END? ARE WE AT THE TOP? CAN IT KEEP GOING LIKE THIS?
Insights on farmland values from SA’s Grant Schubert
These are the questions that we are getting asked over and over… during on-farm inspections, on the phone during the hundredth call of the day or over a cold beer at the town local. We have heard the term ‘unprecedented’ thrown around a lot over the past couple of years in response to COVID-19, however our real estate market is no different.
Over the past four to five years we have continued to see record-breaking sales all over the country, including in my patch of South Australia. As we all look toward the finish line of 2021, we reflect on the year that has been and where the market will head next. Whilst the rural market has remained extremely strong and continued record breaking prices, primarily thanks to low interest rates and high commodity prices, in my experience, a shift is in the air as we continue to manage a market with more buyers than sellers.
Record breaking prices bring record breaking expectations. And rightly so. The market is no longer willing to pay record breaking prices if the presentation does not fit with the price tag – the expectation of presentation and seasonal handover is now as prevalent as ever. A sniff of the long-awaited buyer resistance may have just started. Well, for rural land anyway.
Having said that, we are also seeing the ‘next generation’ of on-farm management and business minded primary producers who have become comfortable with the high commodity prices and with that, a level of acceptance of increased rural land prices. With industry leaders forecasting high commodity prices being here to stay (again, wouldn’t we all love a crystal ball?!) the younger generation is competitive, hungry for growth and expansion in their business. Whilst we are seeing the red meat industry drive record breaking prices and shape the landscape as the active buyers, the balance and diversification of mixed farming enterprise is key – in a strong market across the board, they go from strength to strength and the rural land prices will reflect as such.
Given the significant growth in land sale prices, rural leases are becoming even more highly sought after and as a result, rural lease values have finally started to climb, with the Mid South East generally reflecting a 2.5% return on investment for leases over the past 12-18 months. We will likely see these lease opportunities continue to increase in both value and popularity as we move forward.
And just like that, 2021 is in our rear vision mirror and we start to wonder what 2022 will bring… We can only hope it brings continued high commodity prices, low interest rates, above average rainfall and a strong real estate market across the board.
Grant Schubert Rural Real Estate Specialist Mid-South East SA
