Phone: (03) 5135 4444
June, 2021
[HEADLINE]
Sale’s Barry Hollands won three top carcass awards at Beef Australia in Rockhampton last month.
[STORY]
photograph michelle slater
NATIONAL ACCOLADES
A SALE beef fattener is kicking goals for the region’s food provenance by winning three top carcass awards at Beef Australia in Rockhampton last month with locally-bred Angus. Barry Hollonds won the Meat Standard Australia eating quality top index performer score of 68.95, in a category in which there was a whopping 3.5 million carcasses graded.
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“I follow certain breeders in Gippsland for the genetics to buy the right sort of cattle from the right breeders. I’ve sometimes turned steer off in less than six months,” he said. “But you can’t always buy the cattle I was purchasing previously because they are making too much money in the store pens. Continued on page 3
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good husbandry and how you treat them,” he said. Mr Hollonds turns off about 200 steer a year. He accredited Central Gippsland’s climate and quality pastures, coupled with top notch local breeders towards his success. He said he painstakingly manages his paddocks and ensures his animals drink quality water from clean troughs, with access to mineral supplements and a rigorous drenching program.
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He was also the top Victorian in both the pasture-fed pen of three dressed steer or heifer 260 to 340 kilograms, and 300 to 420 kg export chiller class, coming sixth and fifth nationally, respectively. Mr Hollonds said he “nearly fell under the table” when the award host announced his “record carcass” at the prestigious beef event held every three years. “I was overwhelmed by news reporters on my way back from the stage, they asked me what my secret was. I said it got back to
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By MICHELLE SLATER
RURAL NEWS
$20 million committed for upgrades of local roads across the state
Burra Foods are one of Australia’s premier dairy companies with products sold in over 30 countries and trusted by some of the world’s biggest and well-known brands. Demand for our high value dairy products continues to grow and with our focus set firmly on a sustainable Gippsland supply chain we are striving to bring continued growth and economic development to the local Gippsland region. As demand for our high quality dairy ingredients continues, so too does our need for quality raw milk and we have a limited number of places available for local Gippsland based Milk Supply Partners to join us. If you want to be part of a growing local dairy business that values a sustainable supply chain and offers the following benefits: • Milk payment systems to suit your farm’s production • Transparent and reliable cashflow estimates • 24/7 support from a dedicated Milk Supply Team • Honest and responsive communication • Milk price range of $6.40-$6.80/kgMS for season 21/22
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FARMERS in West Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley can look forward to a smoother journey from their farm gate to market thanks to a $20 million state government local roads upgrade program. The AgriLinks Upgrade Program includes $1.174 million for road upgrades in West Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley. The funding will be used on local road upgrades to reduce travel times, better connect country roads to major transport routes and connect rural,regional and peri-urban areas to local markets. Labor Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said road improvements would help grow jobs and work alongside thenewly-announced Latrobe Valley Food Manufacturing Precinct to get products to customers. “Time is money, and primary producers, processors and other agri-food supply chain businesses all benefit from being better connected to markets and communities with reduced travel times,” Ms Shing said. Baw Baw Shire Council and Latrobe City Council were among 38 rural, regional and peri-urban councils in the state to receive AgriLinks funding. Baw Baw Shire Council was awarded $824,000 to reconstruct Jacksons Track Road, while Latrobe City Council got $350,000 for Stage 3 of the Flynns Creek Road Shoulder Widening Project. The program complements funding provided through the previous Local Roads to Market Program, which supported 78 local projects along Victoria’s rural and
Labor Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said the road improvements in West Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley would help grow jobs in the regions. file photograph
regional agricultural freight routes.The AgriLinks Upgrade Program is part of the state government’s $2.7 billion Building Works package.
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June, 2021
RURAL NEWS
Continued from page 1
“Gippsland breeders are excellent, with escalating prices, vendors are putting money back into better sires and AI programs, generally breeding better quality animals.” He said Angus marbling traits had been improving in the past decade with breeders regularly visiting his property, but docility was another important factor in raising a good quality meat. “I walk around my farm a lot and the cattle don’t feel frightened or intimidated, it helps them get used to you. If they are not relaxed it relates to dark cutting meat
which is downgraded,” he told Gippsland Farmer. Mr Hollonds supplies his animals to be processed at Greenhams Gippsland, where a special camera was used to grade his carcasses for the Beef Australia competition. He said he only had short notice to prepare for this year’s competition, choosing a pen of 10 to 19 month old animals on their bone structure, muscle and growth for age. “Winning this proves I know what to look for and my management leads to good quality carcasses,” he said. He is now turning his attention towards the Lardner steer trials and is looking to market his carcasses with local butchers.
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Barry’s national success
Sale’s Barry Hollands won three top carcass awards at Beef Australia in Rockhampton last month. photograph michelle slater
O’Brien issues call to free-up Latrobe water CHICKEN Have yyou considered
THE state government is being called on to reallocate unused water in the Latrobe River system to create jobs in new irrigation developments in Central Gippsland. In Parliament, Member for Gippsland South Danny O’Brien called on the government to relinquish water set aside years ago for a new power station and reallocate it to irrigated farming which will help create new jobs in the region. “There’s 25,000ML of water that sits in Blue Rock Dam on the Latrobe system every year and goes unused,” he said. “It was set aside for a new Loy Yang 3/4 power station many years ago, but clearly that has not eventuated and the water is effectively being wasted sitting behind a dam wall. “I am pleased that the Andrews Government has heeded our calls for further development of irrigation in the region and is currently undertaking a second feasibility study on how this can be achieved. However, the reality is that there can be no significant irrigation expansion and new jobs and industry in the region without water. “Currently that water is held by the Department of Treasury and Finance, which controls the former SEC assets and it sits there as a lazy asset being completely unused. “I’ve called on the Assistant Treasurer this week to work with the Water Minister and the Gippsland community to reallocate that water, so that it can be sold on the open market and allow farmers to develop new irrigated agricultural and horticultural industries.” The Assistant Treasurer has 30 days to reply. Mr O’Brien said there were challenging
SSoil health is a key component to any agricultural production system. TTo add vital nutrieent ntss and improve your soi oill bi bioolo logy gy wh whyy no nott tr tryy one of our NATUR URAL AL chi h cken manure produc ducts ts?? V siit us Vi us on @A @ in nsw swor o th or thAg AggSe Serv rvvic i ess
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Member for Gippsland South Danny O’Brien has called on the state government to relinquish water set aside years ago for a new power station at Loy Yang for irrigated farming. photograph supplied
times ahead for the Latrobe Valley and Central Gippsland as power stations closed, but taking the water used by the energy sector and handing it over to new irrigation development would help ease transition for the region. “Irrigation delivers far more productive bang for your buck and many more jobs than dry-land agriculture,” he said. “We have the right soils, the right water supply and the right climate to become a powerhouse for food and fibre production in the 21st century and the first step is to get this unused water allocated to those who can use it. “Given this water doesn’t currently run down the river it will have minimal effect, if any, on environmental flows and the lower Latrobe wetlands that run into the Gippsland Lakes.”
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RURAL NEWS
VFF: Budget does not do enough THE Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) said the State Budget has failed to invest in regional freight routes, but did include some key investments for agriculture. VFF president Emma Germano, who hails from Mirboo North, said the state government has missed an opportunity to drive growth in the regions by investing in freight routes and regional road maintenance. “Regional communities and farmers will be disappointed that just weeks after calls for the lowering of speed limits on regional roads, the government has failed to adequately invest in the maintenance and upgrades required to make rural and regional roads safe,” she said. “Last year $6.9 billion was invested in regional Victoria, a strong signal of the importance of our regional economy to the state’s prosperity. “This year that number is $3.7 billion.” Ms Germano said there were some welcome investments in areas including regional mental health services, traceability and emergency services. “Farmers are uniquely vulnerable to many factors that contribute to poor mental health and the VFF look forward to seeing this funding flow through to improving rural
VFF president Emma Germano said the state government has missed an opportunity to drive growth in the regions by investing in freight routes and regional road maintenance. photograph supplied
and regional mental health outcomes,” she said. “The important investment into traceability and product integrity will support the future of Victoria’s food and fibre industries and the VFF looks forward to working with
the (state) government in implementing this program. “The Black Summer bushfires demonstrated the vulnerability of our regional communities to the threat of fire. “It’s a vital investment in our emergency
service capabilities in this budget with the $71.2 million CFA digital radio upgrade, investment in the replacement of CFA stations at Serpentine, Metcalfe and Irymple and $104 million for recovery initiatives including financial counselling and mental health support.” The VFF said it was disappointed the budget does not include funding to provide Victorian farmers access to the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme, but understand the state and federal governments are in discussions on the matter. Ms Germano said the introduction of new taxes could stymie growth in regional areas. “The (state) government has introduced new taxes that could stifle agricultural investment and housing stock growth in regional Victoria,” she said. “The stamp duty increase and windfall tax will all hit farmers and regional developers. “Combined with the failure to fund the $20,000 first homeowners grant, this will seriously impact the development of desperately needed new housing stock in regional Victoria. “It’s tough enough to find a house in regional Victoria and, unfortunately, this budget is only going to make it tougher.”
$10 million for food precinct By MICHELLE SLATER
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LATROBE City Council has welcomed a $10 million state government investment to kick-start a large scale food manufacturing precinct in Morwell. Latrobe City Mayor Sharon Gibson said two businesses had already approached council to discuss setting up shop at the Princes Drive site since the funding was announced on May 17. Cr Gibson said she was “delighted” at the news, after council had put approvals in place a decade ago, to develop 44 prime industrial lots on 89 hectares next to the Bega factory. “With the closure of power stations we need to do something about transforming our local economy, and this is the start, this will help to future proof the Valley,” Cr Gibson said. “This is what we had been speaking about with both levels of governments and it’s a step forward. I’d like to see the cash so we can get on and do it.” The Victorian government has pledged the funding in this year’s State Budget for infrastructure to be in place to encourage food processors into the area, creating 1700 ongoing manufacturing jobs. It includes connecting power, water and sewage and site access for movement of heavy vehicles and manufacturing equipment.
“Business are waiting for the infrastructure so there is no impediment for them to come and set up, we have companies all the time looking for prospects here,” Cr Gibson said. Labor Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said construction should start later this year for tenants to move in. Ms Shing said Regional Development Victoria and the Latrobe Valley Authority had been working with the private sector to create the best environments to lure-in new or expanding businesses. Member for Morwell Russell Northe said he was “thrilled” the state government had “finally” provided the funding after repeatedly asking for essential services to be delivered to the site. Mr Northe said the project had been at an “impasse for so long that I was starting to lose hope”, and he thanked Regional Development Minister Mary-Anne Thomas for helping get it off the ground. “All planning approvals for the site were endorsed back in 2011, so it has been a long and frustrating road at times, and more so the frustration around lost opportunities from an employment perspective,” Mr Northe said. “I firmly believe there will be strong interest in this site which is ideally located for the food and fibre sector, and like many I will be keen to see the works completed at the earliest convenience.”
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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER
June, 2021
One Gippsland praises budget
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He said One Gippsland would continue to push for more spending on tracks and trails, freight and arterial networks, community infrastructure and fixing the digital divide. “We know there is more hurt to come with the early closure of the Yallourn (Power) Station and issues with the native timber industry,” he said. “One Gippsland will now seek to work with the government to identify opportunities to increase investment into our tourism, food and fibre and energy sectors.” Latrobe City Council was also awaiting more details on how the some state government budget items would be allocated throughout the Gippsland region. Mayor Sharon Gibson said she was “delighted” the state government was funding big ticket items for the municipality – particularly the food manufacturing precinct in Morwell.
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ONE Gippsland has praised the Victorian government for prioritising education and mental health in last month’s State Budget. One Gippsland is a peak regional advocacy body representing Gippsland local governments and industry bodies. One Gippsland chair and Bass Coast Shire Council Mayor Brett Tessari said the state government had got back to basics with targeted investment in education, skills and health. “These announcements and those that have been made from existing program funds are very welcome in our region. We also note there is a range of new funding opportunities which we will act quickly on and put forward key Gippsland projects to attract more funding into our region,” he said. He pointed out a raft of mental health spending in the region, as well as a specialist family violence court in the Latrobe Valley, and a $10 million Morwell Food Manufacturing Precinct. Cr Tessari also cited major school upgrades in Gippsland, continued funding for the Latrobe Youth Space, and new alcohol and drug residential rehabilitation services in Traralgon. “They’ve spent on the sectors desperately needed and hopefully this will encourage more jobs in the Valley,” he said. Cr Tessari said Gippsland was yet to get back on the path to recovery after a range of economic shocks, such as COVID, bushfires, the dairy crisis and the closure of Hazelwood.
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RURAL NEWS
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Mirboo North horsewoman Natasha Nash with one of her equine therapists. photograph michelle slater
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A MIRBOO North horsewoman is using equine therapists to help vulnerable people recover from trauma and develop personal skills and meaningful relationships. Natasha Nash established her working equitation program three years ago to schedule activities for disengaged or at-risk community members to find connections with horses. Ms Nash said many program attendees were from the justice system and were learning about relationships with an animal much larger and more powerful than themselves. “You can’t push a half-tonne horse around, it won’t go very well. We teach people how to use subtle cues and look for things such as the horse softening its eyes or how it holds its head,” Ms Nash said. “Horses are like a mirror, they reflect back at you. We explore how interactions can influence the horse and develop a skills set to build positive relationships with people.” Program attendees get to choose one of the nine horses and learn basic skills such as grooming, leading around obstacles, liberty training, and progressing onto riding in an arena. The fourth-generation horsewoman said each of her horses had their own personality, some more stronger and commanding, while others were more sensitive or playful.
She said many of her horses were donated from troubled backgrounds themselves, passed on from unsuitable homes or had been mishandled in the wrong hands. “We ask people to look over a horse and discuss why they may like that horse. Some blokes may say the horse looks big and tough, whatever resonates with them is okay,” she said. “They may see an element of themselves in the horse. We teach them about the horses’ idiosyncrasies and what feels good for the horse, it’s not just about taking from the horse.” She said one attendee was able to learn the difference between bossing her pony around versus working with - or asking - for the pony’s permission, “sometimes these people don’t know”. Another person developed a love of his horse and fostered a sense of pride in his care for the animal. “He wanted to share his accomplishment, people go away with a powerful experience they can look back on,” she said. “Horses are wonderful teachers. People can walk away with emotional resilience and build a meaningful relationship with a horse and it feels amazing.” Ms Nash said she hoped to expand her program under the National Disability Insurance Scheme as well as run programs for women who had survived family violence.
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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER
7
A D V E R T I S I N G
F E A T U R E
Calves are quarantined for the first week, and then housed in groups of three to five-head in mobile sheds for the first month.
MAINSTREAM drugs have been largely kicked to the curb by the inclusion of two natural probiotic products in Josh and Nicole Gillie’s busy calf-rearing operation at Tongala in northern Victoria.
The former dairy farmers have been rearing calves for 18 years, and contract rearing dairy-beef cross calves for the past two. This season, they will rear 800 head to 100 kilograms – with up to 350 calves on milk at any one time. The pair sources a mix of heifer and bull calves from different dairy operations. Aged seven to 10 days when they arrive, they often include some Jersey genetics. Anyone who has reared calves appreciates that the seven to 10-day age threshold is where “things get interesting” if calves haven’t a wordperfect start. However, Josh and Nicole’s goal remains the same regardless of the breed, breed-growth potential, or their start: they need the calves to reach a target weight of 100 kilograms. While that used to take anywhere from 13 to 16 weeks – and sometimes a little longer – this year, for the first time, some calves achieved it within 10 weeks.
THE DIFFERENCE?
PART of their success has always been their refined attention to detail, quality nutrition, hygiene and some intelligent points of difference in their set-up.
However, this season Josh said they achieved even quicker weight-gain and improved calf health, while avoiding
Calves reach important goals six weeks earlier
BioCalf - Double the strength of standard probiotic powders
using expensive, heavy-duty antibiotics for the first time. He said the difference has been including potent probiotic additive BioCalf (which contains Australia’s only
all-natural coccidiostat), and BioBoost paste (a probiotic paste that is 40 times stronger than any other product on the market). BioCalf is mixed in the milk at one gram per calf per day. Its all-natural coccidiostat is Yucca schidigera (also known as Yucca). Yucca is native to the south-west of the United States of America and Mexico. The Indians recognised Yucca as a “tree of life”, with health-promoting activity. Its extracts have been used for centuries, including in US cattle production for more than 30 years. Yucca contains naturally occurring saponins, which help bind protozoal pathogens such as Coccidiosis and Cryptosporidium. Other positive effects of dietary supplementation with Yucca include growth rates, feed efficiency and general health.
BIOBOOST SAVES CALVES
BIOBOOST is a strong, multi-strain probiotic paste, which promotes immunity
and recovery and improves digestion.
On arrival, every calf is given a dose of the paste, then grouped in pens of five calves for the first three or four weeks in mobile sheds Josh built. “The big challenge is always when they first arrive, and that is one of the reasons I started using the BioCalf this year,” Josh said. “I saw the advertising and brochures on Facebook and there was a fair bit of talk about it on a few of the Facebook groups I follow. Funnily enough, I had a couple of calves come in with bad cases of Crypto. (Cryptosporidium is one of the most common causes of calf scouring and/or dehydration in calves under six weeks old.) “For three or four days, I doubled the BioCalf, giving them 1gm in their milk, morning and night, in addition to feeding electrolytes at lunchtime. I also gave them a dose of the BioBoost paste once a day. That’s all I did – and usually I’d be using a lot of antibiotics in a situation like that. “After a week, those calves were doing better than the ones that didn’t get sick. They pushed through it like nothing had happened. I also had a couple of calves that had only been
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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER
June, 2021
BioBoost - 40 times more concentrated probiotic paste.
here for one or two feeds, and they went down and they were so sick they could barely even get up. “I honestly didn’t think they’d make it through the night, but it was amazing how after three or four days of giving them a double dose of the BioCalf combined with the BioBoost, that those calves were almost doing better than the ones which hadn’t got sick.”
NEW-AGE PROBIOTICS
JOSH said it’s not the first time he has tried probiotics, but it is the first time the impact has been so marked.
“I’ve never had as much success as what I’ve had with the BioCalf, and I’m sure it’s because of the heavier concentration of probiotics,” he said. “The aim of the game is to get the pellets and hay into them. “If we get their digestive system going, that naturally gets their immune system going and that’s the biggest thing I’ve found with it, I think: they just start eating earlier, they eat more, and they eat faster. “That’s why we’re getting such great results. You can see the difference in them – even their coats are shinier.”
OPERATION METICULOUS
THE calves are quarantined for the first week when they arrive, and fed milk powder (28 per cent protein) twice a day at 1.5 to two litres, depending on their size and breed.
When they begin eating the ad lib
fed pellets (19 per cent protein) and quality wheaten hay on offer, they are then fed 3.5 litres of milk once a day “Dairy-cross breeds are a little fussier to rear,” Josh said. “A straight Angus calf is like a Labrador: they eat everything, and they grow like crazy but once the dairy-cross calves get to the 60kg mark, they get less milk, they ruminate faster and they usually start to fly from there. “We normally wean them at six to seven weeks into groups of 35 head and, once we get calves to 90kg, they will put on 1-1.5kg/day.” Every season the Gillie’s use a fresh paddock that was cropped on the previous calf intake for the calf sheds. Josh discs the old bedding into the ground to fertilise the next cereal crop rotation being planned. He said operations such as theirs can be vulnerable to introduced diseases, which can wipe out up to 20 per cent of a calf intake. They routinely sit on 1-2 per cent fatality levels.
ON-TRACK
JOSH acknowledges that rearing calves isn’t as simple as it used to be, and he’s convinced they are on the right track with BioCalf and BioBoost.
“The calf-rearing industry as a whole just seems a lot harder than it was 10 to 15 years ago; I think it’s because of the level of bugs in the industry, and that calves seem to be more susceptible to them,” Josh said. “It’s been great to find a natural product that actually works.”
RUSSELL NORTHE MLA
Member for Morwell
As your representative in the Victoria an Parliament, please know my staff and I are here to assist you u, your family or your business whether it be in response to the COVID-19 pandemic or an issue or idea relating to public transsport, roads, schools, employment and/or any other State Governm ment related matter. My staff and I are happy to provide you with information relating to available Government programs and grants, or assist in the recognition of individual, family and d business milestone events. So feel free to drop into our office e at 12 George Street, Morwell or give us a calll on (03) 5133 9088.
RUSSELL NORTHE MLA
Member for Morwell
12-14 George Street, Morwell VIC 3840 / PO Box 214, Morwell VIC 3840 p. 03 5133 9088 | f. 03 5133 9388 | e. russell.northe@parliament.vic.gov.au w. www.russellnorthe.com.au Authorised by Russell Northe, 12-14 George Street, Morwell VIC 3840. Funded from Parliamentary Budget.
June, 2021
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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER
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Dry cow management can improve colostrum quality
Ellen Fitzgibbon
A DEMONSTRATION study conducted by leading livestock nutrition company, CopRice, has shown that careful attention to dry cow nutrition can significantly improve colostrum quality. CopRice operates a ‘model farm’ in northern Victoria to examine the effectiveness of integrated nutritional strategies and new formulations under ‘real world’ conditions. Each year, the company implements dozens of projects that aim to optimise animal health, fertility, productivity, environmental sustainability and profitability. Model farm partners, Fred, Sonyia, Daniel and Ben DeCicco, milk a herd of high production registered Holstein cows at Undera. CopRice Model Farm Manager Ellen Fitzgibbon says the provision of high quality colostrum to newborn calves has a direct impact on calf health and growth. “High quality colostrum provides newborn calves with the building blocks of a healthy immune system,” she said. “Besides providing a rich source of protective antibodies, colostrum also contains a range of vital hormones, proteins and other nutrients.” Optimal colostrum intake has been shown to directly influence average daily weight gain of dairy calves during the first 56 days of life. This has a range of flow-on benefits, not the least being improved calf survival, lower risk of disease,
lower veterinary costs, lower cull rates and a lower age at first conception. “In effect, a healthy start to life strongly influences the calf’s ability to reach its full genetic potential,” she said. CopRice nutritionists measured colostrum quality in 89 spring-calving cows in the model farm herd last spring. The Brix content of the colostrum samples ranged from 12 per cent to 34 per cent, with 53 per cent of the samples assessed to be high quality (≥22 per cent Brix), 34 per cent medium quality (19–21 per cent Brix) and 13 per cent poor quality (≤18 per cent Brix). Newborn calves were given two two-litre feeds of high quality colostrum within 12 hours of birth. Serum samples were collected from these calves to assess the rate of passive immunity transfer. “Impressively, 91 per cent of calves demonstrated passive immunity transfer, well above the industry level of 70 per cent,” Ms Fitzgibbon said. “This highlights the importance of feeding adequate amounts of high quality colostrum within the first 12 hours of life.” The CopRice nutrition team then considered steps that could be undertaken to improve colostrum quality in the autumn-calving component of the herd. “Dry cow management should be focussed on maintaining body condition and improving health
and immune function during late gestation and early lactation. At the very least, a good nutrition program should aim to replace all the macro and micro-minerals lost during the previous lactation,” Ms Fitzgibbon said. “Summer pastures often lack sufficient levels of these essential nutrients.” The autumn-calving portion of the model farm herd was offered ad-lib access to an innovative loose lick from drying-off until three weeks before calving. Scientifically-formulated to deliver a balanced source of essential macro and micro-minerals to support mammary involution and immune function in late gestation, the lick contained a rich source of high performance macro-minerals, organic and inorganic micro-minerals and vitamins. The nutrition program had a marked improvement on colostrum quality. “74 per cent of the 78 cows that calved this autumn produced high quality colostrum, which was a 21 per cent improvement compared to the spring-calving group,” Ms Fitzgibbon said. “Average colostrum quality improved from 22.9 per cent to 23.3 per cent Brix, while the range increased ranged from 15 per cent to 38 per cent Brix. Unfortunately, COVID-19 restrictions prevented us from collecting blood samples to check for passive immunity transfer, but we will continue our monitoring program in spring.”
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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER
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June, 2021
THE GIPPSLAND FARMER
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Making farms safer A
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ACCIDENTS and injuries will happen, farmers need to have First Aid Kits to respond. When’s the only time that a worker will complain that there are no band aids left? During audits and walk through inspections, The Victorian Farmers Federation Making Our Farms Safer (VFF MOFS) team sees First Aid Kits stored in cupboards or shelves covered in dust. “It is extremely important to be prepared for all types of injuries,” Senior Farm Safety Advisor, John Darcy said. “Early intervention can significantly impact your chance of recovery.” Many of the contents (bandages, saline solution) are perishable and need to be replaced regularly.
While some workers use items such as scissors and tweezers and forget to put them back. First Aid Kits need to be readily accessible, in an easy to reach location. Where kits are stored in a room or cupboard, signage and stickers need to be placed to clearly indicate their location. The Farm Safety Team recommends all farmers have: Ä medium sized canister type First Aid Kit in their workshops (or small ‘tackle box type’ kit for smaller workplaces.) Ä A small padded bag type First Aid Kit in tractors and utes. First aid facilities need to be readily accessible in the event of an emergency and should be top of the list in regular workplace inspections.
All farmers can now purchase these at wholesale prices. St John Ambulance also provides a scheduled On Site Service to inspect and replace contents of First Aid Kits regularly.
This service is available to farmers across Victoria, including those in isolated areas where access to First Aid Kits and consumables is limited.
The Victorian Government is backing a stronger, more innovative and sustainable agriculture industry with a 10-year strategy for agriculture.
The VFF MOFS project is funded by Smarter, Safer Farms, a $20 million Victorian Government commitment to improve safety and skill outcomes for Victorian farmers.
If you’d like to find out more about this information, or book a farm safety consult, please call John Darcy on 0432 156 223 or alternatively Richard Versteegen on 0499 772 472.
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The Victorian Farmers Federation Making Our Farms Safer project has
teamed up with St John Ambulance to provide farmers with a huge saving on First Aid Kits.
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Bowel cancer
BOWEL cancer is one of the most feared diagnoses because of the associated issues with everything from screening to surgical intervention and perceived risk to life. With this said it is only one of a number of cancers that for the most part affect the body later in life. There are a couple of genetic syndromes such as familial adenosis polyposis or Lynch syndrome that can affect people early in life, characterised by a carpet of polyps within the large bowel but for the most part the risk of bowel cancer is associated with older people. Bowel cancer does not strike out of the blue. It takes a number of years for the precursor polyps to change into a cancer and it is in this intervening period that they can be easily and effectively dealt with. Screening for bowel cancer with a faecal occult blood test is sensitive and quick and easy. It is only a screening test and a positive test does not mean you have a cancer. The blood can come from a number of sources such as haemorrhoids, inflammatory bowel disease or polyps. Blood detected in the bowel motion requires a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is the gold standard to diagnose the cause of the blood in the bowel motion and if a polyp is found it can be easily removed. Polyps can turn into bowel cancers. Colonoscopies are recommended usually at three to five year intervals or if a polyp is found it is recommended to repeat the colonoscopy a year later. Colonoscopies are safe in skilled hands with the risk of misadventure being very low. Both surgeons and gastroenterologists are skilled in doing colonoscopies and most importantly in determining what to do is something is found. In some centres a nurse or a general practitioner may do the procedure. If you feel uncomfortable about this decide before you go who you want to do the procedure.
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In a public hospital setting you will noot be able to choose. If something is found a surgeon is weell placed to advise what to do. In regional and rural centres the surgeon who did the colonoscopy may also be able to offer an operation. Care is therefore seamless without traavel and a long waiting time for an operation with a surgeon you don’t know. Care is not always better in Melbourne. It is the skill and reputation of the surgeon that is important. An operation for bowel cancer can vary in complexity depending on the nature of the cancer, where it is located, its size and whether other organs close by are involved. Keyhole operations are obviously preferred and techniques vary from keyhole assisted, robotic assisted to classic open operations. The technique is not important; rather the skill of the surgeon is what counts and the relationship with the surgeon. Results between different types of surgeons such as general surgeons and colorectal surgeons have also been studied extensively and there is no difference in outcomes and survival. In general most bowel cancers detected early have a good prognosis. Early detection is important and can result in chemotherapy or other treatments not even being necessary. It is important to be properly assessed and referred. Ask to be referred to someone you feel comfortable with as in many circumstances it is better to be referred to someone by reputation. Colonoscopy is very straightforward taking only about half an hour and is only a day case procedure. The result is durable for about three to five years. This information is provided by Mr Adrian Aitken MBBS, FRACS, PhD who is a local specialist general surgeon and endoscopist in Gippsland who provides comprehensive surgical care. Just ask your GP for a referral.
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Colon or colorectal cancer illustration of a large intestine with a malignant tumor growth.
THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS WHEN YOU NEED URGENT CARE ‘TRUSTED PERSONAL CARE WHEN EXCELLENCE COUNTS’ CONSULTING ACROSS GIPPSLAND
Mrr Adrian Aitke ken e
M.B.B.S., Ph.D., F.R.A.C.S. G ON SPECIALISST GENERAL SU URGEON
ALL GENERAL SURGICAL COMPLAINTS MELANOMA AND SKIN CANCERS CARPAL TUNNEL UNDER LOCAL GASTROSCOPY AND COLONOSCOPY GALLSTONE SURGERY BREAST LUMPS BREAST CANCER BOWEL CANCERS HERNIA REPAIRS HYDROCELES KEYHOLE SURGERY LIPOMAS DUPUYTREN’S HAND SURGERY TUMMY TUCKS THYROID SURGERY VARICOSE VEINS VASECTOMY
www.fitzpatrickhouse.com.au
ASK YOUR GP FOR A REFERRAL PHONE 51 444 555 FOR APPOINTMENTS
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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER
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RURAL NEWS
Bunnings reaffirms Vic timber boycott By MICHELLE SLATER
HARDWARE giant Bunnings has doubled down on its stance to boycott VicForests’ timber, despite pressure from the timber worker unions to reverse its decision in the wake of a Federal Court case. Bunnings merchandise general manager Toby Watson the company had reviewed the details of the court decisions to understand the implications to its timber policy. “Our timber policy requires our suppliers to source from legal, responsibly sourced and well managed forest operations,” Mr Watson said.
The Federal Court upheld an appeal in favour for VicForests last month, after the logging agency was found to be undertaking illegal logging last year. But Mr Watson said the court had only reversed a single finding relating to the threatened species Act, and upheld the trial judge’s 21 other findings regarding VicForests’ forestry operations on the environment. “As such, Bunnings continues to lack confidence that VicForests’ forestry practices meet the requirements of our policy, and we won’t be reversing our decision at this time,” he said.
Cheltenham Park Angus Bet-On-Black
Enquiries Please Call Andrew Haw: 0487 858 544 457 Old Carrajung Road, Carrajung cheltenhamparkangus@gmail.com Dane Perczyk c/o Alex Scott - 0408 176 063 Details & E.B.V.’s on Angus Aust.Website
RUSSELL BROADBENT MP
Federal Member for Monash
russell.broadbent.mp@aph.gov.au
03 5623 2064 Russell.Broadbent.94
Authorised by Russell Broadbent MP, Liberal Party of Australia, 46C Albert Street, Warragul VIC V. 3820.
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In the crisis we faced, our farmers delivered. Thank you farmers. 46C Albert Street, Warragul VIC 3820
and the pandemic. It comes as timber workers staged a truck blockade outside of the Traralgon Bunnings store last year in protest of the ban, with the company hitting back threatening the union with legal action. “The Bunnings ban on a legal, environmentally friendly industry is hurting people, and makes absolutely no sense in the face of timber shortages in the home building sector,” Mr O’Connor said. “We are calling for a reversal of Bunnings’ unfair ban on Victorian grown, sawn and manufactured hardwood timber and wood products.”
drumMUSTER welcomes new regional consultant for Gippsland region
Private Bull Sale!
Gippsland Bred - 2 Year Old Stud Angus Bull’s. By Breedplan and A.I.Sires. All Bulls are Very Quiet and Structurally Sound, High growth and Calving Ease Bull’s available
Bunnings had confirmed none of its suppliers were impacted by job losses associated with the ban. It would be selling Australian and New Zealand sourced timber that met “policy requirements for legal, well-managed and responsible forest operations”. However, the CFMEU manufacturing division is asking the state government to increase pressure on Bunnings to reverse its timber ban. CFMEU manufacturing national secretary Michael O’Connor said the ban that was “hurting timber workers and communities” in the wake of bushfires
DRUMMUSTER has welcomed Leigh Mitchell to the team as the new regional consultant for the Gippsland region. Leigh is a Traralgon local who has a passion for the country life and the beauty that it offers those fortunate enough to call it home. Leigh feels very fortunate that his work in the construction industry over the last 12 years has given him the opportunity to see a huge portion of regional Victoria and be outdoors on most workdays. “I feel a strong connection to the agricultural community having worked on many farms, barns and dairies over the years and experiencing what mother nature sometimes throws at us,” he said. “I also love taking my family camping and adventuring and have spent many weekends and school holidays seeing some of the spectacular countryside we have, from the high country to Wilsons Promontory.” This connection Leigh feels to Victoria is also what drives his interest in being part of the drumMUSTER program. “I feel that sustainability is one of the key issues facing mine and my children’s generation - as much as recycling is only one element of a very big picture it is important that we are aware of what happens before and after we use a product and the impact of this on our environment,” he said. If you have empty, cleaned and eligible agvet drums you need to remove from your property, visit the drumMUSTER website (www.drummuster.org.au) or find your nearest collection point.
drumMUSTER has welcomed Leigh Mitchell as the new regional consultant for the Gippsland region.
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June, 2021
RURAL NEWS
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By MICHELLE SLATER
Nationals Senate Leader Bridget McKenzie, with Member for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath and Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester hear from timber industry representatives. photograph michelle slater
trying to prove a moot point and make some false argument that the timber industry in Gippsland are environmental vandals, this is absolutely incorrect,” she said. Forum attendees also spoke about the need to keep the industry operating at maximum capacity to meet the demand from the building industry fuelled by a construction boom. Morwell logging contractor and Gippsland Forestry Hub treasurer Ian Reid pointed out issues facing forestry, such as surety of timber supply and ensuring a long-term sustainability for the industry. “It’s important we have trees for 2060 and 2070, its long term it’s not something we can solve straight away,” Mr Reid said. “People must understand this a long-term project and long-term vision. It’s renewable, we are growing houses, a product that’s sustainable. “In Australia, we need to make sure we have surety of product and not get wood or timber products from overseas. We need to be self-sufficient in Australia.”
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NATIONALS Members of Parliament doubled down on their support for the state’s native timber industry at a round table meeting at the Gippsland Forestry Hub in Churchill last month. About 20 industry representatives attended the Gippsland forestry forum to discuss strategies to support native timber and plantation industry. Industry groups included Opal Australian Paper, local logging contractors, sawmill operators, VicForests, HVP and the National Timber Council of Australia. Nationals Senate Leader Bridget McKenzie reiterated her opposition to the state government’s planned transition out of native timber by 2030. “I don’t support the transition plan at all. It’s absolutely ridiculous. This is a sustainable industry, every tree that is harvested is replanted,” Ms McKenzie said. “The Australian timber industry operates under some of the toughest environmental regulations in the world, this is something we need to be proud of instead of continually degrading it and putting it down.” Ms McKenzie introduced a Private Members Bill for logging to be exempt from environmental protections under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. A recent Federal Court case ruled in favour of VicForests, which overturned a previous decision that found logging was illegal in 66 native coupes in a case lodged by Friends of the Leadbeater’s Possum. “Unfortunately these environmental extremists signalled they will appeal. We want this green lawfare to end. They are
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Nationals log support for the timber industry
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June, 2021
THE GIPPSLAND FARMER
15
RURAL NEWS
Record-breaking prices highlight local sale
Sale toppers Sandra, Daniel and Rob Bacon with Rob Ness.
The conference was organised by the Central Gippsland Club and president Reece Attenborough said the sale produced an amazing result. “We have to thank all the vendors for putting their best lots forward,” he said. The top price of $20,000 was achieved by Brookbora PGRS Chrome Love Lies sold by Rob, Sandra and Daniel Bacon of Brookbora Jerseys, Parrabel Genetics, Rockstar Cows and Aspire Jerseys. “We didn’t have any expectations but we’re ecstatic with that price,” Daniel Bacon said.
“The overall sale was good for the breed and it was good to see a few Holstein breeders getting into the market.” The top price cow was bought by Declan Patten on behalf of Melbourne-based thoroughbred breeders looking to move into dairy cattle. “She’s the highest-priced Australian-bred jersey heifer of all time which gives an indication of her quality,” he said. “She ticks a lot of boxes and she will be a great investment. The investors see there are great opportunities in agriculture and
photograph supplied
Jerseys are at the forefront of that in the dairy industry.” Second top price of $13,500 was achieved by Araluen Park and Stonyrun Jerseys with a pick of the herd offer. Vendors Trevor Saunders and Anthea Day said they were pleased with the result. “We’re incredibly happy with the result. It was a bit of a gamble to do it this way, but we would have been happy with anything over $10,000,” Mr Saunders said. “Overall, the sale was amazing.”
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DAIRY’S finest jersey cows set a new Australian record average price and a new top price for an Australian-bred heifer, at a virtual sale held last month in West Gippsland. The sale was held at Kings Ville Jerseys in Drouin West to mark the start of Jersey Australia’s annual four-day conference in Warragul. All 26 lots were cleared at the May 23 Jersey Australia sale to an average price of $8178 with a top of $20,000. Jersey Australia chairman Chris MacKenzie described the result as exceptional and said it reflected confidence in the industry and demand for Jersey cows. The live auction was conducted by Brian Leslie of Dairy Livestock Services and online by Elite Livestock Auctions. The cows weren’t on site but were presented in photos, a concept that Mr MacKenzie said worked very well. “Interest was very strong and the range of buyers was very impressive. We had top animals and a top sale, and we got a top price, and it augers very well for the industry,” Mr MacKenzie said. Mr MacKenzie said he expected the virtual sale concept to be used in the future. “It means vendors don’t have to go to the trouble and cost of transporting and preparing their lots, but buyers still have access to all the relevant information and photos,” he said. Mr Leslie said he believed the $8178 average was a new Australian record for jerseys. “I thought it was the best catalogue we’ve put together,” he said. “The industry is in good shape and the Jersey breed is rolling along very well, but it still exceeded all expectations. “The top price of $20,000 was very high but there was strong demand all the way through for a total clearance.”
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16
THE GIPPSLAND FARMER
June, 2021
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June, 2021
THE GIPPSLAND FARMER
17
Money Matters GP1627277
Eliminate stress from unc certainty IT comes quickly…. end of financial year, that time wh hen anxieties kick in and farmers either face the situation orr bury their heads in the sand and carry on. The next couple of weeks are critical to get finances in order prior to June 30 to clarify the farm’s financial position and put plans in place to best manage surplus, losses and the unexpected.
This is also particularly important for Farm Household Allowance recipients who also need to be aware of any profit and make adjustments, otherwise it could result in additional government debt.
It is always good business sense to know your financial position to stay in control. Accountants, Financial Planners or Rural Financial Counsellors should be considered part of your farm business team.
Continuously engaging with them only leads to successful results. A good financial advisor or counsellor should be comparing this year’s third quarter BAS statement to the same period last year, ensuring financial and productivity goals are being met and discussing what adjustments may be necessary to stay on track.
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18
THE GIPPSLAND FARMER
Reviewing cash flow, activity statements, remaining budget, updating creditor listings, and reviewing (or commence) the 2021-22 budget will clarify your current financial position, allowing for better business decisions
and plans to progress or consolidate farm finances. There are many options to consider when managing a potential surplus or loss to help reduce the tax burden and invest in farm productivity, especially if you are rebuilding the farm after recent disasters. These are not limited to: Utilising Farm Management Deposits Instant Asset Write-Off tax benefit Managing creditor payments Off-setting income and applying tax credits Application of dividends Delaying stock sales Money management options depend on your business structure and accounting methods. Therefore, it is highly recommended to discuss your options with a financial professional who understands what the most suitable structure and
benefits would be for your individual farms’ circumstances and future plans. It can be confusing (which is why many farm businesses continue in ‘default mode’) however, utilising a professional to review your financial position could realise potential benefits, achieve more goals and reduce financial stress. It is imperative to have a highly skilled, trusted accountant and financial advisor experienced in agribusiness, together with a Rural Financial Counsellor who can help navigate finances and identify opportunities to improve your financial future. If you need assistance to review your finances and discuss your options, contact RFCS Gippsland on 1300 045 747 a free service for Gippsland Primary Producers.
June, 2021
RURAL NEWS
MP says plan threatens survival By PHILIP HOPKINS
OPAL Australian Paper’s operations are being undermined by short, medium and long-term threats to its hardwood timber supplies under the state government’s forestry plan, according to Narracan MP Gary Blackwood, the forestry manufacturing union – and the government itself. The state government aims to close all native forest harvesting in Victoria by 2030, with an initial stepdown in the resource supply after 2024. Most hardwood operations are in Gippsland. According to Australian Paper’s 2018 Sustainability Report, the Maryvale paper mill bought 1,654,142 tonnes of wood for its operations. Of this, 68 per cent was sourced from plantations owned by Hancock Victorian Plantations in Gippsland, while 26 per cent was pulpwood bought from VicForests, with hardwood sawmill residues - woodchips - supplying the remaining 6 per cent of the resource to the paper mill. Mr Blackwood, who is the Opposition spokesman on forestry, said the drop in timber supply to AP would start from 2024, leaving the company short of wood for its operations because the amount of pulpwood and sawmill residues would fall. Some hardwood sawmills were bound to close after 2024 as they would not be able to buy enough timber from VicForests’ reduced resource allocation to survive, he said. However, Mr Blackwood said the supply shortfall was already likely in the short term because of the continued failure of Environment Minister, Lily D’Ambrosio, to release the promised changes to Victoria’s code of forestry practice. “This is threatening the survival of several Gippsland timber businesses,” he said.
Opal Australian Paper’s operations are being undermined by short rt, t medium and long-term threats ts s to its ts s hardwood timber supplies under the state government’s forestry ryy plan, according to Narracan MP Gary ryy Blackw kwood, w the forestry ryy manufacturing union – and the government its tself. s
Ms D’Ambrosio commissioned the review of the Code of Practice for Timber Production last July due to a spate of legal challenges against VicForests in the High Court and Victoria’s Supreme Court. She said a key aim of the review was to minimise the risk of short-term supply to processors from third-party litigation. Ms D’Ambrosio’s office was queried whether the minister intended to release the code review but did not reply. The legal challenges resulted in temporary bans on timber harvesting in many native forest coupes, most in the Central Highlands. VicForests’ appeal against the High Court ban, which hinges on an interpretation of the code of forestry practice, was heard in the High Court last month. It is unclear when the appeal judges will
make a decision in the case. This comes as the state government itself has admitted that its promise to transition the forestry industry from native forest to plantations by 2030 will not happen. ‘The Age’ revealed that Victoria’s Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas conceded that the promised plantations won’t be ready by 2030. Blue gums, the main hardwood timber for plantation woodchips, usually take 12-15 years to grow. The state government has allocated $110 million for plantations in Central Gippsland but to date has only planted 500 hectares. Mr Blackwood said if the state government was ‘fair dinkum’ with its promise, it would have planted 5000 hectares by now. Without a guaranteed wood supply, Mr Blackwood said there was no way AP could
proceed with its proposed waste to energy plant at Maryvale. Opal’s general manager of public relations and sustainability, Craig Dunn, said Nippon Paper had invested $1.7 billion to create Opal, one of Australia’s leading integrated packaging businesses. “As part of the Opal Group, our Maryvale Mill has a key role to play in providing paper for Australia’s growing fibre packaging market. Victorian Government support for plantation expansion underpins Opal’s commitment to securing the Maryvale site in the Latrobe Valley beyond 2050,” he said. “Opal will continue to work with the Government to ensure the successful future transition of our Maryvale site to plantation-based supply. We are also continuing to pursue strategic opportunities at Maryvale in both Aquaculture and Energy form Waste, with the objective of further strengthening Maryvale’s future.” Mr Blackwood said AP found it difficult to comment because the state government had it sign a confidentiality agreement. CFMEU manufacturing national secretary Michael O’Connor said the deadline to transition out of native forest was clearly unachievable. “There is no way that any of these plantations will be ready for use by the industry in 2030 for pulping and certainly not for solid wood product manufacturing,” Mr O’Connor said. “Pretending this scheme will provide a future for workers and timber communities is nothing more than a cruel hoax.” A research paper presented to the federal government-funded Gippsland Forestry Hub last month said a proposed plantation expansion for Gippsland could not bridge the supply gap that would result from the state government’s policy to close Victoria’s native forest industry by 2030.
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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER
19
RURAL NEWS
Radial look towards the future By PHILIP HOPKINS
CHRIS McEvoy could not be happier. His new Radial Timber sawmill at Yarram is working extremely well, but there is a cloud on the horizon: the state government’s plan to close the native forest industry by 2030 will leave him five years’ short of timber supply. Radial began establishing hardwood plantations on planned 30-year rotations in 2004. The plan was to make the business self-sufficient in the long term, but in the interim, it still relies on timber supply from VicForests. “The real dilemma is, we’ve got the longest contract with VicForests of all timber producers – until the end of 2026 - due to the huge investment in the new mill in 2016,” he said. VicForests is scheduled to start cutting back on supply from 2024. “Both dates (2026 and 2030) leave us short – not much short. We can see the end in sight even with 2030, but we are potentially still five years short.” The new mill, which uses the radial cutting technology originally concceiveed by And dy Kno orr,, ha as no ow been operating for four-an and-a-hal n alf l year ars. r Radial all sawi wing i cuts a log like a cak ake, k which creates less waste an and n processes smal aller l logs than an n conventional all sawi wing. i “We have hit our stri rides. i We are arr in full production; we are arr easily cutting our annual an n all allocation. all We have a stable crew and an n stable production facility ty,” y sai aid i Mr McEvoy, the compan any n own wner n an and n man anaging n director, who is a wood scientist and an n former CSIRO employee. The high performan ance n led to a recent visit vii to the business
by Victoria’s Governor, Linda Dessau. The mill is processing 12,000 cubic metres a year, while the old mill site is now a new drying mill. “We have four times the production of the old mill, with the same number of staff – 20 people – who are multi-skilled and all doing it easily,” he said. The company’s trees are being grown by Heartwood Plantations, which has a joint venture with Radial. They now have 3000 hectares of trees on 4000 ha of land within a 50-kilometre radius of Yarram, which is located in Victoria’s South Gippsland. A key acquiisiition was 1500ha over 24 propert rties t bougght from the fai ailed i man anagement n investment compan any n Great Southern Plan antations n in 2017. Mo ost had been plan anted n to blue gu um and an n some shining gum for woodchips. “As these plan antations n arr are har arv rvested, v we are arr repla anting n to high-val alue l sawlog speciies. These arr at var are ari rious i stages off growt wth. t The oldest is 16 year ars r old, and an n we arr plan are anting n every ryy year ar. r We try ryy to get 50-100 ha plan anted n annual n ally,” l Mr McEvoy sai aid. i “The 3000 ha gives uss a 30-year arr sustai ainable i supply. Tha at’s all all we need to give us 10,000m m3 a year arr
for 30 years and replant as we go so it’s a sustainable cycle.” With experience, Radial has now changed its plantation model, but with the emphasis still on durable hardwoods. The species mix has grown from four to about six or seven - yellow stringybark, silver top, spotted gum, coastal grey box (class1, “grows locally, slow growing, the form is not great, but can be improved by genetics – definitely a new one”), red iron bark, (“another class 1 from Gippsland”) and southern mahogany. “We also do a lot more random establishment – still planting in rows, but mixing up the species,” he sai aid id. Natture had d provi vid ided d interesting lessons. “Wh What h we found – Dar arw rw wiin’s i natural all section showed us how forests work. The stronger surv rvi vive i an and n the weak akest k don’t. In monoculture blocks, some species are arr more affected aff by drought, some by insect attack, some by nutri rient i deficiencies in the soil – a lot is degraded far armlan r and n – and an n some more aff affected by frost.” Mr McEvoy sai aid i a frost or nutri rient i deficiency could destroy a whole block and an n “you are arr back to squar are r one”. However, by mix ixi xing i up and an n
using the right species, a frost may only take out a few trees, which were then thinned as part of the usual thinning process. “You don’t have to start from scratch. It’s a more efficient way and like an insurance policy. Also, it’s really good for biodiversity; there is no sterile monoculture forest. It’s similar to a mixed species forest.” Mr McEvoy said people many people maintained these timbers would not grow well in plantation – “they won’t grow straight enough, or fast enough”. “But when you talk high value timbers, you have time on your side. There are a lot of even non-traditional products you can do,” he said. For example, Radial supplies plantation durable timber for children’s playgrounds. “The market now wants natural organic playgrounds. They’ve gone away from plastic and steel and treated pine; they want odd forms, bent and twisty wood. Not everything has to be sawn timber for flooring – that’s how markets evolve.” Fencing and managing the plantations still remained an ongoing cost, but livestock are re now used ass a natural all way to control weed ds and an n fire risk. rii “To plan ant n and n mai aintai i ain i – the cost goes up p every ryy year ar. r It does get har arder r to man anage n pri rivately i - the ongoin ng, 30-year arr cycle with wii very ryy little in ncome and an n infl flated l exp xpenses. p Itt’s not a fan antastic n business model.. For now, we still need VicForests’ timber for cash flow, fll but the very ryy efficient, reduced-cost mill is helpin ng to fund ongoing plan antation n establishment,” he sai aid. i Mr McEvo oy sai aid i 30 year ars r was th he optimum tim me
for harvesting, with trees thinned from 1000 per hectare down to 500 and then 250. “We already get some saleable products after 8-10 years – ‘thinnings’, which are peeled. We take the sapwood off – it’s not durable – and use the thinned products as organic posts for vineyards or farms that want hard-wearing hardwood posts, not treated pine,” he said – and firewood, which is in high demand at the moment. Radial has had to sell a couple of blocks to ensure cash flow. “There is no point in being land rich and cash poor. We are still looking for investors – we would like to have more people to invest and plant trees,” he said. Hartwood’s partner, Moorabbin financial adviser, Dr Steven Enticott, is the architect of the group’s many unit trust investments. Mr McEvoy maintains that timber needs to break out of the perception that it is a low-value product and aim for higher value, especially based on its sustainability credentials. “We should position timber where it needs to be. Steel and concrete have doubled or tripled in price in recent times. Poor timber has been left behind – it’s just a tree, a cheap commodity tyy product. More and an n more, it needs to be seen as a premium product. I think then, it will wii encourage investors,” he sai aid. i “Recent timber scar arcity r tyy and an n pri rice i increases around arr the world suggest this is star art rting t to happen.”
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Governor Linda Dessau during a recent visit to Radial Timber.
20
THE GIPPSLAND FARMER
June, 2021
RURAL NEWS
Creative thinking is Good as Goold
Many are already thinking ahead to how they can insulate their businesses from the significant risks that can arise without warning. LEIGH CROCKER
operation. For some it may mean diversification or value adding, and for others it is refining their strategies to minimise leakages of funds, effort and resources.” ION group facilitators carried out three hour site visits to the varied enterprises. They were impressed by the participants’ resources, their experience and their willingness to develop a fresh new mindset on their business. “They are fantastic to work with and the lateral ideas that have evolved in such a short time have been amazing,” Mr Crocker said. “From the feedback we’re receiving they are really enjoying the program.” To participate in the next program, which will be held in Omeo, fill out an expression of interest on the East Gippsland Council website.
48-52 INVERLOCH RD WONTHAGGI. PHONE 5672 3500
June, 2021
THE GIPPSLAND FARMER
GP1627022
Toorloo Arm producer Hailey Goold has taken part in the Agribusiness Farm Resilience program. photograph supplied
EAST Gippsland farmers Dan and Hailey Goold needed to find another way to sell their high quality farm produce and flowers when farmers markets stopped in COVID. The pair promptly adapted by building a successful home delivery service within a 60 kilometre radius of the farm. Last month they took yet another step by opening a farmgate shop on Fernglen Farm at Toorloo Arm. East Gippsland Agribusiness program facilitators visited the property last month to hear the couple’s ideas. ION Group is conducting a free 12-month Agribusiness Farm Resilience Program sponsored by local government and Regional Development Victoria. ION Group principal Leigh Crocker said the Goolds were “great examples of quick adaptors”. “Some people are unsure how to adapt when dealt a blow, and others like Dan and Hailey are working to prioritise bringing their ideas to fruition,” Mr Crocker said. “We only have so much energy to expend, so it’s important to know which will provide the best yield, we’re constantly needing to review and adapt.” The second group of farmers recently began the resilience program in Orbost, drawing farmers from Tubbut, Cann River and Bruthen to Gypsy Point, Noorinbee and Wairewa. Their farm activities included fat cattle, bush foods, olive processing, fisheries, eco accommodation ventures and flower growing operations. “Many are already thinking ahead to how they can insulate their businesses from the significant risks that can arise without warning,” Mr Crocker said. “They can be adverse weather events, disease, loss of markets and in somecases, legislation that can debilitate their
21
RURAL NEWS
EPA fines Fish Creek company
A FISH Creek a farming company has been fined $8260 for setting up a dairy effluent pond in the bed of an existing waterway where it could overflow into Fish Creek. The Environment Protection Authority fined Takcarm Pty Ltd of Harding Lawson Road, for depositing industrial waste in a place that is not licensed to accept it. The EPA had carried out initial inspections in late January. EPA Gippsland regional manager Jessica Bandiera said the company was ordered to fix the problem and clean up any effluent already in the pond.
“EPA officers inspected the property after a pollution report from the public,” Ms Bandiera said. “They found there were three effluent ponds, including one that has been constructed in the bed of an unnamed waterway that runs into Fish Creek.
“The waterway had been diverted around the new effluent pond, but with the two ponds further uphill already full and the third taking in dairy effluent that was flowing down a farm track, any rain event
would have sent the overflow straight into the waterway, and from there into Fish Creek.” The West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority confirmed that the lowest effluent pond was in a waterway, an unnamed tributary of Fish Creek. Dairy effluent flowing into a creek can harm fish and other aquatic life, and it can make the water harmful to people and animals, due to increased risk from waterborne pathogens. “Dairy effluent can be valuable fertiliser on the farm,” Ms Bandiera said.
“But in a waterway it is a hazard to the environment and people’s health. The creek and native wildlife don’t need it, and your neighbours and their stock downstream don’t need it.” The EPA issued the company with a legally enforceable Pollution Abatement Notice requiring controls to be put in place to prevent dairy effluent entering surface waters. It also issued a Clean Up Notice requiring the removal of all dairy effluent and contaminated water from the lowest pond.
Farm Safety
Rebate Scheme is extended
THE state government is extending funding announced for the Farm Safety Rebate Scheme, with another $2 million to meet all eligible applications that were received by the closing date. The $3 million scheme was extremely popular with Victorian farmers with an overwhelming demand for applications. The scheme provides rebates of up to $5,000 to improve safety on farm, with the existing funds committed in five weeks. More than 800 applications were received across 45 local government areas. Some farmers received rebates for child safety fencing, animal handling equipment, chemical storage sheds and wash stations, emergency shut off switches and reversing cameras for tractors and vehicles. Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas said the government was “answering the call from our farmers by investing an extra $2 million in the Farm Safety Rebate Scheme to deliver safety on farms”. “Safer farms mean safer farmers, families, employees, suppliers and contractors and this is vital to ensuring our agriculture sector continues to thrive,” she said. The government is partnering with the Victorian Farmers Federation to provide farm safety advice and support for all farmers through the Making our Farms Safer project. The VFF has been granted $3 million to employ two farm safety officers and deliver new farm safety resources to the state’s farmers. WorkSafe Victoria also provides agriculture safety information in addition to the OHS Essentials program, which is a free workplace safety consultation service, delivered by independent occupational health and safety experts. In addition, Kidsafe is delivering a child safety on farms competition and social media campaign over three years through Victoria’s primary schools, including parent and class resources. There are a range of child safety resources including the Farm Safety Checklist and a Parent’s Guide to Kidsafe Farms.
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Got news to share?
22
THE GIPPSLAND FARMER
GP1626528
Do you have an agricultural story to share with the Gippsland Farmer? Send your news tip to farmer@gippsnews.com.au or share your story with journalist Michelle Slater by phoning 5135 4444.
June, 2021
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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER
23
RURAL NEWS
Backing‘Paddock to Plate’initiative Fine issued
A TINAMBA man has been fined $800 for illegally taking trees from the Glenmaggie Regional Park, prompting a warning from local authorities to source firewood responsibly. From March to November last year, 183 people were fined a total of $98,801 for illegally removing wood from widespread areas across the state. These fines ranged from $165 to $661. Court results this year also include $3000 and $4000 fines for two Warragul men for acts in the Mirboo North National Park. Conservation Regulator authorised officers, Forest Fire Management Victoria crews and Parks Victoria rangers have combined for Operation Hollows, targeting people attempting to illegally cut or remove trees for firewood. People have been reminded to collect firewood from designated areas during the two collection seasons, as trees and fallen wood outside these areas are crucial habitats for native wildlife like the powerful owl, greater glider, fat-tailed dunnart, spotted-tailed quoll, and small geckos, skinks and lizards. Some trees also have cultural significance. The ongoing operation also targets people selling large quantities of illegal firewood. The maximum penalty for people caught illegally destroying habitat trees is $8261 plus potential seizure of equipment, including vehicles and chainsaws and-or one year in prison.
Victorian Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas looks at how digital sensors are used on dairy cattle with Ellinbank SmartFarm senior technical officer Greg Morris. photograph michelle slater
By MICHELLE SLATER
THE state government is spending $11.7 million to help researchers develop a traceability system for the agriculture industry to trace food production from the paddock to the plate. Victorian Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas visited the Ellinbank SmartFarm last month to make the announcement as part of the State Budget. Researchers will look at technologies that will allow both producers and consumers to trace where food has come from, how it has travelled along the supply chain and where it ends up. Ms Thomas said the technology would modernise the sector and improve food safety and bio-security for farmers, and respond to increasing consumer demand for food provenance. “People want to know the story of their
food and want a paddock-to-plate experience, this will only become more important in global markets. Quality assurance is the future of food,” Ms Thomas said. “Victoria already has a fantastic reputation for clean, green agriculture and we want to continue this and maximise the value that comes with that.” Ms Thomas said the tech would be rolledout to both livestock and horticulture sectors, with coding stickers already being used to trace Mildura oranges back to the orchards. This new investment will be rolled out across the state with a focus on research and pilot projects. “This is still an emerging technology and one we are continuing to develop,” Ms Thomas said. “The info can flow back to the farmer so they can understand where their food ends up and who is buying it, who their
markets are and where their food is most in demand.” Ellinbank SmartFarm researchers have a range of “fitbit” style sensors attached to their dairy cattle to digitally monitor welfare, temperature, grazing habits and detect oestrus cycles and lameness. SmartFarm research director Jo Jacobs said ID tags were being used with success in the meat industry, and was important in the dairy industry to trace animals moving between properties. “For us, this added information will allow us to understand individual animals and the provenance around the product,” Professor Jacobs said. “This is an opportunity for the agriculture industry to sit down with IT data (developers) to see what we need and how it can be developed.”
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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER
June, 2021
RURAL NEWS
Rally staged on steps of Parliament House FARMERS, Landcare members, CFA volunteers and city and country citizens voiced their concerns about the state government’s new laws for camping on river frontages, which take effect across Victorian waterways from September 1. A rally for fair camping rules was held on the steps of Parliament House on May 25. The regulations would allow people to camp for up to 28 days as close as 100 metres to homes from September this year. They also allow campers to collect half a cubic metre of firewood per day, despite farmers not being able to collect firewood themselves on land they licence for grazing. Victorian Farmers Federation president Emma Germano told the rally the VFF was seeking a 12-month stay on the implementation of the regulations. “Farmers, environmentalists and traditional owners all agree that these regulations are inadequate. Government should not be surprised by this,” she said. “Our riparian land is important for farming, important for the environment and important culturally. “We know that after the persistent advocacy of all of you here today, the government is beginning to listen. “We want a 12- month stay on implementation to allow proper consultation and the identification of appropriate, high-use sites for a pilot program. “Today is another show of strength and resolve and the ball is now in the government’s court. Now they need to show that they care about the rivers, the environment and the farmers.” Member for Gippsland South Danny O’Brien, who also attended the rally, said the regulations introduced by the government failed to consider the larger implications of allowing the public to camp on land used for farming. “These regulations show no regard for the rights of the landholders. They are asking farmers to allow the public open slather to their workplace,” Mr O’Brien said. “I am getting more and more contact from Gippsland farmers with riverside licences who are aghast at what is proposed in the draft regulations.” Mr O’Brien said the Nationals, if elected to government, would amend the legislation to allow landholders to opt-in to allowing camping on licenced crown water frontages. “There are many responsible campers and in some areas local farmers are happy to allow camping now, but unfortunately there are some who spoil it for the rest,” he said. “Local farmers have raised concerns with me about rubbish and human waste being left behind, the risk of fire from abandoned campfires, interference with stock, including from dogs, and the safety of campers around farm animals. “Despite assurances we have received from the government about enforcement, we all know that police or authorised
officers simply won’t be likely to respond to an incident in the wee hours at a remote location.” Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull spoke with those rallying from East Gippsland, who had significant and justified concerns. “This was a Bill the Liberal Nationals attempted to move many amendments to in the hope of protecting farmers’ rights, but all were defeated, with the Shooters and Fishers siding with the Labor Government on those attempted changes,” Mr Bull said. “It is a classic case of a thought bubble policy with no thought given to how it will play out on the ground. They are asking farmers to allow the public open access to areas that are their workplace. “Some examples of the anomalies are that people can camp within 100 metres of a farmer’s home for 28 days and they can collect half a cubic metre of firewood per day (if camping for a week that is three and a half cubic metres of firewood). “This is despite farmers not being able to collect firewood themselves on land they have under licence for grazing. “The Labor government is saying it will have these areas displayed on an app, so camping groups can just turn up, but the additional problem is, many of these areas are remote and have no reception, so the app will be hard to access meaning they may not arrive in the right spot. “The government says it will have regulations around campfires, rubbish and biosecurity, but we all know what happens. These areas are poorly policed now and the government has confirmed not one additional enforcement officer will be provided to oversee this. “Every year we have Parks put out media releases saying how disappointed they are so many campfires have been left unattended – so what is the answer, we will now let this happen on farms and we are providing no more enforcement officers. “I have always been a strong advocate for the outdoors, camping and family time, but it has to be fair and this is just not fair.” Mr Bull said he had also been contacted by caravan park owners near riversides who are concerned about their ongoing viability if all these additional areas nearby are opened up to free camping. One said it could put him to the wall. “We believe farmers should have an ‘opt in’ and opt out’ option as to whether they are happy to be part of this. “The biosecurity concerns for a start are very real and you just cannot be relying on people to close gates and not spread weeds. For many it will impact on their right to farm and they will inevitably have to pick up rubbish, excrement and check on camp fires.”
Victorian Farmers Federation president Emma Germano addresses the rally.
photograph supplied
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Next available bulls Select Yearlings available for heifer joining from September
Innesdale Angus,
718 Rosedale Road, Heyfield 3858
Geoff 0412 958 168 AH 5148 6371 E geoff@innesdale.com June, 2021
Sire Innesdale Resource M37 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER
GP1626302
FOR DETAILS CONTACT
25
RURAL NEWS
Report pinpoints deer as‘feral pest’ By SARAH LUKE
Currently, deer species have full or partial protection as game species in Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania. A new Senate report suggests removing the protection to allow more proportionate control.
Currently, deer species have full or partial protection as game species in Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania. The committee found declaring deer as a pest species would enable more appropriate and coordinated control actions to be undertaken, and provide symbolic recognition of the increasing damage caused by deer to environmental and agricultural values across Australia. The committee described recreational hunting as “a tool but not a solution” to reducing deer populations, pointing to “overwhelming evidence” recreational hunting was “not an effective standalone control measure”. In order to have an effect on population, depending on species and conditions, between 34 and 52 per cent of the deer population, between 55 and 70 per cent of feral pigs and 35 per cent of feral goats need to be killed each year. The report recognised the competing interests of recreational hunters and landowners when it came to deer, contrasting hunters’ objectives with landowners dealing with large numbers of pest animals who needed them eradicated quickly and humanely.
“... the objectives of many recreational hunters are to stalk an animal over a period of time, achieve a clean kill and to use the meat for private consumption,” the report reads. “Hunting in this way, recreational hunters do not shoot many animals and the committee heard they can have a focus on trophy specimens, rather than females, thereby having little impact on the reduction of numbers. “Recreational hunters also, naturally, want there to continue to be a supply of deer for them to hunt in accessible populations. “The committee notes the evidence showing economic benefits of recreational hunting must be weighed up against the costs to landholders, agriculture and the environment ... submitters were very clear that historical notions of deer as a valued species do not reflect the reality of high numbers in many locations and the damage they cause.” The committee noted the change would “not limit the ability of recreational hunting of deer to continue”. Other recommendations included ensuring significant long-term funding for
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A REPORT on feral species handed down by the Australian Senate last month recommends declaring wild deer as an environmental pest across all of Australia. The Senate environment and communications committee’s report, published last week after a three-year review, investigated the increasing impacts of feral deer, pigs and goats across the country, putting forward 17 recommendations. Most notably, these included changing laws nationally to declare wild deer as an environmental pest; maximising landholders’ ability to control feral deer on their land and park managers in World Heritage Areas and national parks; and ensuring state, territory and federal governments commit to eliminating feral deer populations in areas of national environmental significance and national biodiversity hotspots and support commercial harvesting of feral deer. The report found invasive species populations, particularly deer, appeared to be growing rapidly in both total numbers and overall range. Feral deer and pig populations were named as a major threat to Australia’s biodiversity, affecting a wide range of native plant and animal species, which had the capacity to completely alter the structure of local ecosystems and create irreversible damage. The report noted the estimated annual costs to agricultural businesses from feral deer, pig and goat activities ran into hundreds of millions of dollars, taking into account the feral species’ grazing and damaging crops, competing with livestock for food, reducing alternate land uses, and the time and money landowners spend repairing damage. Feral populations also pose a significant challenge to containing and eradicating exotic diseases.
management programs, improving data collection and reporting, and updating existing humane control management to ensure best practice. Invasive Species Council chief executive Andrew Cox said the report was a wake-up call to governments that hard-hoofed feral animals were driving an environmental and rural crisis across Australia. “Most of the Senate report recommendations centre on feral deer, where six species presently occupy less than 10 per cent of Australia, but are projected to spread to almost the entire continent,” he said. “Despite historical notions of deer as a valued species, the overwhelming evidence of the inquiry shows deer in many areas are in plague proportions, causing major environmental damage and costing some landholders $100,000 or more a year. “Deer will pose an increasing risk of livestock diseases, road accidents and occupation of urban areas.” Centre For Invasive Species Solutions, which was singled out for needing more long-term funding in the report, welcomed the recommendations, with chief executive officer Andreas Glanznig saying more funding would ensure the centre achieved its goals into the future. “We have known feral deer are an emerging national issue for many years now, and this was recently confirmed in the latest ABARES pest animal and weeds survey finding that feral deer were the most commonly reported pest animal that recently arrived on properties, more so than kangaroos, feral pigs and wild dogs,” he said. “We absolutely welcome the Senate’s recommendation to ensure there is sustained funding so we have the same number of integrated tools to manage feral deer as we do for rabbits and wild dogs.”
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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER
June, 2021
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AUSSIE FARMERS WIN HIGH PRESSURE WATER BLASTERS
LAST year’s fantastic results in agricultural production are an indication of what farmers can do with this year looking just as positive, there’s every reason to be optimistic about a general boom in agricultural products. Now is the time to invest in machinery and infrastructure to take advantage of a combination of weather and a depreciation allowance with a massive injection into the agricultural economy! One innovative Australian company that focuses on the needs of farmers is Australian Pump Industries. Aussie Pumps report a phenomenal increase in business as farmers not only buy but take the trouble to buy the right products with the right quality and performance.
100% DEPRECIATION … WHAT IT MEANS
THE depreciation allowance means that purchases made before the June 30 this year can be deducted out of this financial year’s tax, giving a windfall to business people around Australia, and that means farmers as well. “It’s not just about big investments, but rather small acquisitions as well,” Aussie Pumps Victorian Area Manager Tyson Siecker told Gippsland Farmer. “We’re seeing our Gippsland dealers reporting record sales of a number of our products as Gippsland wheat and barley hits a record. “They are flat out at the moment and expect to be right up until June 30.” When it comes to investing in water, Tyson says farmers can’t go wrong. After seeing firsthand the effects of what was a six year drought in many parts of the country, it’s impossible to forget that it’s the water security that provides the success or failure of Australian agriculture.
SMART PUMPS FOR SMART FARMERS
WHEN Aussie Pumps launched the Smart Pump range, they didn’t realise that eventually every professional farmer will wind up with one on their property. Pumps can be petrol, diesel or electric motor drive! That means they can come with a 6.5hp petrol engine, a 4.8hp Yanmar diesel or, even a 2.2kW single or 4kW three phase electric motor. The pump’s 30 per cent glass filled polyester construction, available with elastomers of either EPDM, Viton or Buna, means they are impervious to 90 per cent of all on farm chemicals. “The Viton seal kits with Viton check valve will handle almost anything from diesel
June, 2021
High demand for the versatile Aussie Smart pumps.
fuel to saltwater and even urea, pesticides and weedicides,” Tyson said. “That makes them super versatile.”
Aussie’s range of first world pressure cleaners will stand any diary, piggery or farm washdown application.
AUSSIE QUIK PRIME … WHY EVERYBODY LOVES THEM THE Aussie Fire Chief is widely touted as being the best lightweight portable fire pump in the world. Available in either Honda petrol engine or Yanmar or Kubota diesel drive, these pumps will produce high flows at high pressure, making them capable of doing far more than just putting out spot fires! Sale-based Aussie Gold Distributor, BrownWigg, report good sales of Aussie’s big twin impeller with 10hp diesel engine. “It’s an extraordinary
pump with super reliable performance,”Matt Keeble said. The twin impeller has great performance and is now even available in a 3” configuration (that’s 3” ports in and out) with the ability to pump water over long distances! The Honda version will produce an amazing 250 lpm at 60 metres head and 150 lpm of flow at the 80 metres head performance level. Aussie also produces a great range of transfer pumps “Powered by Honda”. “We love the Honda engines because we know they start first time every time,” Tyson said. “Matching to our QP pump range with its five year warranty, gives the user the confidence to know they are buying the absolutely best product. We’re seeing a growing unrest and distrust for cheap third world products. “People like the idea of buying a product that is designed for the job that is backed up by a free extended warranty and a company that ships it’s product all over the world!” The Honda range has a complete line-up that is readily available from all Aussie’s Gold Distributors in the Gippsland region. Aussie’s Honda powered product line of Quik Prime pumps goes all the way from 1” to the mighty 6” gushers that can deliver flows up to 2900 lpm.
“We even make them up to 6” size with flows to 6,000 lpm,” Tyson said. These pumps self-prime, and will handle high volumes of solids in suspension and come with either Honda petrol or Yanmar diesel drive. The 6” pumps are powered by either Kubota water cooled or Deutz air cooled engine. These pumps will handle any challenge and farmers should buy them while they are available at low prices and get the depreciation allowance as well.
AUSSIE Pumps is Australia’s leading manufacturer of high pressure water blasters. These products made with the world’s best heavy duty triplex pump, are capable of providing serious performance year in, year out. They are now built as part of Aussie’s exclusive Scud range and come with stainless steel frames, steel wheels with flat free tyres and Aussie’s free safety kit comprising of ASP (Aussie Safety Pack), safety valve and thermal dump valve. These two essential items protect the operator and the machine and can prevent failure from extended by-pass of running of the pump. Available with Honda engine, Yanmar diesel or, single or three phase slow speed four pole motor, Aussie’s range will stand any dairy, piggery or farm washdown application. For more information, call for a copy of Aussie Blaster Blitz, it’s the pressure cleaner bible of the industry!
BUY AUSTRALIAN “DEALERS tell us that customers are showing a strong preference for Australian product,” Tyson said. “We hear all the time, BUY THE RIGHT PRODUCT THE FIRST TIME, EVEN IF IT MEANS SPENDING A LITTLE EXTRA mantra everywhere.” Contact your local Aussie Pumps Gippsland distributor for more details.
AUSSIE’S PORTABLE TRASH PUMPS EVERY piggery, dairy, abattoir or construction company needs an Aussie 2”, 3” or 4” trash pump.
Aussie’s famous Fire Chief boasts quality performance with five-year warranty
THE GIPPSLAND FARMER
27
WEATHER OUTLOOK May’s rainfall observations for Eastern Victoria (source: BOM)
Victoria’s rainfall for the month of May. meteorology
image bureau of
National rainfall outlook for the period June to August 2021. image bureau of meteorology
East Sale Airport.........76.6mm Hogan Island...............63.2mm Latrobe Valley.............53.4mm Mount Baw Baw.......139.4mm Mount Moornapa.....120.6mm Wilsons Promontory...111.8mm Yanakie ........................64.6mm Yarram Airport............70.4mm Bairnsdale....................74.4mm Combienbar..............212.2mm
Gabo Island...............135.8mm Gelantipy .....................98.0mm Lakes Entrance.........103.8mm Mount Nowa Nowa..168.4mm Omeo...........................98.0mm Orbost........................165.6mm Mallacoota.................130.8mm Point Hicks...........................N/A Pound Creek...............93.4mm Wonthaggi...................88.4mm
GIPPSLAND’S
Cattle Market REPORT BAIRNSDALE LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE
Thursday, May 27
There were approximately 280 export and 50 young cattle penned, representing an increase of 65 head week-on-week. The usual buying group was present but not all operating fully in a market cheaper in places. Quality was mixed with prime cattle in short supply and secondary lots throughout. Vealers eased 15c while yearling heifers to the trade lost 20c/kg. Grown steers and bullocks gave back 10c/kg. A handful of well finished heavy grown heifers lifted 15c/kg. Cows were back 10c to 12c/kg on most sales while heavy bulls held firm. Vealers sold from 402c to 490c/kg. Yearling heifers suited to the trade made from 366c and 396c/kg. Grown steers and bullocks sold between 366c and 400c/kg. Heavy grown heifers showing good finish made from 360c to 372c/kg. Manufacturing steers sold from 290c to 385c/kg. Most light and medium weight cows made from 212c and 276c while heavy weight cows sold mostly from 255c and 322c/kg. Heavy bulls made from 286c to 297c/kg. Yarding 331
Change 65 Comparison date 20/05/2021 Live Weight c/kg
Category Weight
Grade Score
Estimated Estimated Carcass c/kg $/Head
Low
High
Avg
Change
Avg
Low
High
Avg
Yearling Heifer B,C,D,2,3
310.0
396.0
342.8
-52
651
1437
2044
1622
Vealer Heifer 280-330
B,C,D,2,3
402.0
472.0
451.0
N/Q
809
1198
1510
1380
Grown Steer 500-600
B,C,D,2,3
380.0
407.0
396.0
-6
730
2173
2280
2235
600-750
B,C,D,2,3
380.0
395.0
381.5
-11
702
2504
2647
2518
Cows 520+
274.0
B,C,D,2,3
330.0
292.8
603
-24
1485
2201
1707
Livestock
Bullocks
Steers
Heifers
Vealer
Beef Cows
Weight
Grade Score
Carcass
Live Weight c/kg
Estimated Estimated Carcass c/kg $/Head
Low
High
Avg
Change
Avg
Low
High
Avg
Yearling Steer 330-400
B,C,D,2,3
492
-492
492
-1
879
1820
-1820
1820
400+
B,C,D,2,3
433
-470
448.4
6
815
1998
-2200
2097
Yearling Heifer 330-400
B,C,D,2,3
370
-442
400.3
-23
748
1383
-1768
1555
400+
B,C,D,2,3
370
-460
420.5
-34
780
1628
-2226
1990
B,C,D,2,3
500
-500
500
N/Q
893
1625
-1625
1625
B,C,D,2,3
444
-487
470.7
10
856
1443
-1607
1546
Vealer Steer Vealer Heifer 280-330 Grown Steer
Vendor
District
Avg Kg
C / Kg
Avg $ / Head
Crozier Adrian
Stratford
665
345
2,294.25
500-600
B,C,D,2,3
400
-470
424.7
2
754
2179
-2632
2415
600-750
B,C,D,2,3
400
-416
405.3
-8
739
2646
-2821
2724
Crozier Adrian
Stratford
630
329.6
2,076.48
Cows
Osborn Pj And El
Tinamba
580
328.6
1,905.88
520+
B,C,D,2,3
292
-360
328.9
-2
658
1679
-2436
1901
Elliott R And A
Stockdale
474
392.6
1,860.92
Woolcock M L
Carrajung
426.7
420
1,792.00
Boulton Sf And Rl
Sale
350
440
1,540.00
Woolcock M L
Carrajung
367.5
390.6
1,435.46
Anderson E N And Ds
Rosedale
630
360.6
2,271.78
Kw And Ep Porter
Boisdale
710
316.6
2,247.86
Kw And Ep Porter
Boisdale
630
330
2,079.00
Osborn Pj And El
Tinamba
611.7
316.6
1,936.54
Darwin Investments
Sale
370
498.6
1,844.82
Poynton Je And Sh
Newry
360
496.6
1,787.76
Poynton Je And Sh
Newry
395
440.6
1,740.37
Weight
Poynton Je And Sh
Newry
345
494.6
1,706.37
Carcass
Deighton Pastoral
Fernbank
405
400
1,620.00
Yearling Steer
Scott Leigh
Bundalaguah
335
476.6
1,596.61
Crozier Adrian
Stratford
785
330.6
2,595.21
Dunsmuir G J And La
Briagolong
780
326.6
2,547.48
330-400
B,C,D,2,3
2,171.89
400+
B,C,D,2,3 B,C,D,2,3
Missen Ar And Aj
Woodside
665
326.6
LEONGATHA LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE
Yarding 1986
N/Q
769
1600
- 1720
1660
-3
840
2025
- 2447
2276
390.0
- 460.0
443.6
18
824
1482
- 1824
1740
375.0
- 480.0
422.1
-5
776
1688
- 2744
2039
464.0
- 464.0
464.0
N/Q
814
1531
- 1531
1531
B,C,D,2,3
450.0
- 472.0
461.0
9
831
1350
- 1534
1442
500-600
B,C,D,2,3
420.0
- 466.0
440.8
14
770
2237
- 2563
2461
600-750
B,C,D,2,3
393.0
- 420.0
406.8
-10
730
2751
- 3015
2939
B,C,D,2,3
288.0
- 340.0
320.9
-2
643
1656
- 2125
1879
Yearling Heifer
Vealer Steer
702.5
284.6
1,999.32
280-330 Grown Steer
Darnum
546.7
280.6
1,533.95
555
274.6
1,524.03
Avg
415.0
Maffra
Unknown District
High
479.2
Lee Jason J
Burns Rs And Pm
Low
- 430.0
1,767.00
Boulton Aj
Avg
- 510.0
310
1,537.76
Change
400.0
570
1,855.74
Avg
450.0
Stratford
274.6
High
B,C,D,2,3
Crozier Adrian
286.6
Low
Estimated Estimated Carcass c/kg $/Head
B,C,D,2,3
1,806.81
560
Live Weight c/kg
330-400
315.6
647.5
Grade Score
400+
572.5
Maffra
Change 81 Comparison date 19/05/2021
Category
Stratford
Lee Jason J
Wednesday, June ??
There were approximately 17,50 export and 240 young cattle penned representing an increase of 80 head week-on-week. The usual buying group was present but not all operating fully in a cheaper market in places. Quality was mixed with most cattle showing the effects of the colder conditions. Trade cattle sold cheaper in places with quality an issue. Grown steers lifted 5c/kg selling mostly to feedlot orders while bullocks sold firm. Heavy grown heifers sold firm. Heavy Friesian manufacturing steers eased 10c/kg with the better finished crossbreds holding firm. Heavy beef cows eased 5c while dairy lots lost 10c/kg. Heavy bulls were firm. Vealers sold from 398c to 511c/kg. Yearling trade steers made between 450c and 510c/kg. Yearling heifers suited to the trade sold between 375c and 480c/kg. Grown steers made from 405c to 430c/kg. Bullocks sold from 402c to 429c/kg. Heavy grown heifers showing good finish made between 362c and 421c/kg. Heavy Friesian manufacturing steers sold between 314c and 340c with the crossbred portion between 323c and 418c/kg. Most light and medium weight cows made from 216c to 267c/kg. Heavy weight cows sold mostly from 246c to 338c/kg. Heavy bulls made between 292c and 319c/kg.
Crozier Adrian
Tinamba Dairy Cows
Tuesday, May 18
Change 232 Comparison date 17/05/2021
Category
280-330
GIPPSLAND REGIONAL LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE SALE
Monday, June ??
There were approximately 870 export and 250 young cattle penned representing an increase of 230 head week-on-week. The usual buying group was present but not all operating fully in a mixed market. Quality was mixed with a large proportion of the offering showing the effects of the cold. Trade cattle varied in quality and price, with vealers selling dearer in places while the yearling heifers eased on some sales. Grown steers sold mostly to feedlot orders 10c higher, while the better finished bullocks gained 6c/kg. Heavy Grown heifers sold cheaper in places with quality easing. Heavy beef cows eased 5c while dairy cows were more mixed with most grades firm to 10c/kg dearer and light weights easing in line with quality. Vealers sold from 420c to 530c/kg. Yearling trade steers made between 433c and 492c/kg. Yearling heifers suited to the trade sold between 380c and 460c/kg. Grown steers made from 400c to 430c/kg. Bullocks sold from 396c to 425c/kg. Heavy grown heifers made between 340c and 410c/kg. Heavy Friesian manufacturing steers sold between 320c and 332c with the crossbred portion between 320c and 385c/kg. Most light and medium weight cows made from 226c to 315c/kg. Heavy weight cows sold mostly from 258c to 348c/kg. Restocking cows made between 235c and 348c/kg. Heavy bulls sold between 295c and 325c/kg Yarding 1118
Carcass 400+
PAKENHAM LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE
280-330 Vealer Heifer
Cows 520+
Market figures supplied by Meat and Livestock Australia’s National Livestock Reporting Service and Gippsland Regional Livestock Exchange - Sale
28
THE GIPPSLAND FARMER
June, 2021
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RURAL NEWS
Biodiversity threat is government,not farmers By PHILIP HOPKINS
GOVERNMENT itself is destroying biodiversity by not stopping Crown land being overrun with pest plants and animals, but farmers are getting the blame for biodiversity decline and are being hampered by regulations to fix it, the farmers’ peak body has told a government inquiry. The Victorian Farmers Federation, in its submission to the Parliament’s Inquiry into Ecosystem Decline in Victoria, said weeds had been recognised as a biodiversity threat since a similar inquiry in 1998. “The Government seems more willing to impose regulatory burdens on the private sector than meeting its own management obligations in regards to invasive species,” said the submission’s author, Gerald Leach, the chair of the VFF land management committee. In 2010, the Auditor-General required catchment management authorities to complete five-yearly invasive plant and animal strategies, yet his report highlighted that this program received no funding, “which is largely still true to the present day”. It was a similar situation with reports requiring funds for each Crown agency to include effective management of invasive plants and animals. Mr Leach said legislative protection did not arrest decline. “To achieve gain, investment in stewardship is required. These programs are costly, time consuming and require long-term management …. and are not suited to government budget cycles and generally are not ‘high profile’ projects,” he said. “Regulation is not enabling – it can only require an approval for some actions
For government to successfully reverse ecosystem decline, it is critical that land holders are supported to identify the actions they want to address in a way that works for their business. GERALD LEACH
– such as tree removal. It cannot stop the spread of weeds – that requires direct action and the resources to achieve it.” Regulation had the perverse outcome of restricting investment and proactive action by land holders. “By placing regulatory roadblocks to the ability to use GPS-enabled tractors and through turning the planting of native species on farm from a benefit to a risk, poorly targeted regulation is actually accelerating the rate of decline,” he said. Mr Leach said farmers, through more than 30 years of Landcare and research and development, had been showing how to reverse ecosystem decline. Government, rather than recognising Landcare’s achievements, still talked about “loss” since settlement and
attributed that loss to agriculture. “When some of their voluntary plantations become a habitat for foxes (threatening their viability) or become dangerous to life and property, they face barriers to modifying that environment,” he said. Agriculture was Victoria’s only major land use that was actively revegetating the landscape. “Urban development and crown land are the major developments leading to loss of vegetation,” he said. The VFF had sought government help to create native vegetation precincts on a landscape scale in conjunction with agriculture. However, a promised pilot program was never implemented. Mr Leach said the loss of understanding of agriculture’s stewardship was shown in the most recent State of Environment Report for Victoria. It did not use government data on soils, nor did it recognise private sector investment in soil health and biodiversity. “Additionally, it failed to undertake any qualitative assessment of the health of crown reserves (or their adequacy) and was underpinned by a general assumption that positive outcomes would be achieved on crown reserves, and negative outcomes on private land,” he said. The low biodiversity values in many crown land areas placed extra pressure on neighbouring land holders – the increased costs of managing invasive weeds and a greater impact on production from pest animals and wildlife. “Farmers are increasingly avoiding revegetation if that vegetation creates a refuge for foxes breeding up on the crown land to predate livestock. Up to 75 per cent of prime lambs are being lost to predation,” he said.
“Environmental reporting needs to seriously review whether the ‘Yellowstone’ model holds true in the Australian context. The principle that if you reserve a large enough area, nature will look after itself fails to understand that the Australian landscape was not ‘unmanaged’.” Nor did it deal with how introduced species had altered ecosystems and required management to return to a ‘healthy’ regime. Mr Leach said while regulation may have a role, it should not affect activities that improve environmental outcomes. Government should also ensure that habitat had a commercial value “so farmers would want to fence off clusters of trees and allow regeneration as this would in itself earn an income stream”. “As long as government imposes regulatory burdens on the private sector while not meeting its own management obligations on invasive species, decline is inevitable,” he said. “Not only is a system that places expectations of management on private land that is not occurring on crown land inherently unfair, it is destined to fail.” Rectification of decades of biodiversity decline was extremely costly and difficult to achieve. “For government to successfully reverse ecosystem decline, it is critical that land holders are supported to identify the actions they want to address in a way that works for their business,” Mr Leach said. The VFF made a series of recommendations that dealt with the submission’s criticisms, including that the State of Environment Report should estimate their cost to the Victorian economy and to biodiversity.
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PADDOCK
Precision spraying made simple WITH its 11,200L tank capacity, 24 to 40 metre booms, self-steering tandem axle and advanced electronic operating systems, the new AMAZONE UX11201 Super is purposeengineered for fast, safe and easy precision spraying. CLAAS Harvest Centre AMAZONE product specialist Joshua Patrick said the new model can be equipped with a range of smart technology, including automatic nozzle selection, active boom guidance system, active vibration damping and section control. “All of these systems were developed by AMAZONE specifically to optimise spraying performance while simplifying operation,” he said. “In its simplest configuration, the UX11201 Super can be equipped with conventional valves for up to 13 partwidth sections, complemented by the tried-and-tested DUS pressure recirculation system. “The next level up is AmaSwitch individual nozzle switching, which enables 50cm part-width sections. “The top-of-the-line specification is the AmaSelect individual nozzle control system. “Regardless of which system is chosen, all of the key operating functions are effortlessly controlled using the TwinTerminal 3.0.” The UX11201 Super can be equipped with passive rear axle steering or a fullyautomatic twin-axle steering system. “The latter option is particularly important for row crops, such as potatoes, or smaller paddocks, where track damage can become economically important,” Joshua said. “During field operation, the first axle follows the tracks of the tractor’s rear wheels, while the second axle follows the tracks of the tractor’s front wheels. “During road transport, the first axle is locked and the second axle is actively steered by the system.” The hydro-pneumatic suspended chassis and sprung drawbar ensures smooth operation. “The axle assemblies continuously adapt to the load conditions,” Mr Patrick said. “The sprung drawbar has a support load of three tonnes, which is automatically increased to four tonnes when the tank is full.” Located at the front of the sprayer for easy access, the SmartCentre station makes short work of mixing, filling, spraying and cleaning operations. “During a function change, all the valves are closed by swivelling the sevenway pressure tap outwards, which allows
the tap to be turned to a new position without opening any liquid lines,” Mr Patrick said. “Once the desired function has been selected, the pressure tap is swivelled inwards, which reconnects the respective valve and circuit.” The station is lit by LED lighting and protected by a covering hood that prevents the build-up of dirt on the operating taps. The 60L induction bowl is located directly in front of the control panel. An enormous suction rate of up to 200L/min ensures fast tank filling and complete emptying. The mixing nozzle prevents clogging of the extraction opening, so powder or granulated inputs can be easily inducted. The capacity of the mixing nozzle can be continuously adjusted and be operated in parallel with the new high-output rinse ring that also allows for continuous adjustment of the spray rate. The canister rinse nozzle has a large support area, on which the nozzle can be activated by pressing canisters or measuring jugs in position.
The top area of the canister rinse nozzle also has a small support area via which the nozzle can be activated to clean the canister neck. The dust-tight and liquid-tight lid on the induction bowl swivels sideways through 180 degrees when opening and, in this position, with its brackets, it serves as a handy storage for measuring jugs and canisters. The integrated drainage device means that any residual liquid flows directly back into the induction bowl. The tank has a low centre of gravity and a compact design. Two freshwater tanks with a total volume of 900L are mounted between the mudguards at an equal distance from the centre of gravity. “The smooth inside walls of the tank facilitate fast and easy cleaning,” Mr Patrick said. “Its optimum geometry means that only a tiny residual volume of less than 20L remains in the tank.” The UX11201 Super has two piston diaphragm pumps with a combined output of 700L/min. “These pumps are particularly reliable
during operation and are resistant to dry-running and liquid fertiliser,” Mr Patrick said. “A further practical advantage is their easily accessible position on the drawbar.” The optional hydraulic drive features an automatic flow adjustment system. During field use, the pump runs at a gentle 480L/min, sufficient to maintain agitation and normal application rates. During transport, the pump speed is automatically reduced to 400L/ min, since only the agitators need to be supplied. During filling, peak output of 540L/min is required. These flow rates are pre-selected by the operator using the terminal and can be changed at any time. In addition, the pumps can be operated in parallel to double the maximum application rate, allowing high volumes of liquid fertiliser to be applied at higher speeds. “In vegetable crops, for example, it is possible to accurately apply up to 2000L/ha at an operating speed of 5km/h to 6km/h,” Mr Patrick said.
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GIPPSLAND SPORT
Academy’s awards night a real winner
SPORT GIPPSLAND SPORTS ACADEMY By ANITA PISTRIN
THE Gippsland Sports Academy held their Annual Awards night on May 21 at the Morwell Bowling Club, where 56 young Gippsland athletes received graduation certificates. It was a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements
of our athlete’s after a difficult 12 months, and present trophies to the Award nominees More than 100 guests celebrated the achievements of the graduating athletes and were inspired by this year’s guest speaker Jacqui Cooper, five-time Olympian and Latrobe Financial Company ambassador. There were four major awards presented this year.
Rising star: Olivia Baillie (swimming) with Jim Vivian (GSA Board chair)
Elite performer: Phil Shelley with Keith Ferguson (clay target shooting)
David Drane Award
Phil Shelley Award
THE David Drane Award for encouragement was won by Olivia Baillie (Traralgon). Olivia is a very dedicated and determined young athlete who has worked extremely hard to achieve her 100 backstroke and 200 backstroke national time in her first season of training at the National level. During Victoria’s two lock downs phases, Olivia dedicated herself towards her fitness and strength. Showing her true colours and commitment towards being a National Performance swimmer. This hard work and dedication lead to Olivia achieving her first two national times in quick succession. Most athletes like Olivia usually have years of training before they reach their goals, but when you are as committed and hard working as Olivia, things tend to happen sooner than expected. If Olivia continues to train with the same level of vigour and passion that she can be a National medallist in years to come. An amazing start to a promising swimming career at the age of 14. Olivia shows all the markers of a promising national swimmer through her commitment to training and her amazing workrate. Olivia takes feedback and advice very well and is eager to improve her ability and grow into a very strong and conditioned athlete. Olivia trains with purpose and is very coachable, committed and passionate towards her improvement. Never being satisfied with her skills, Olivia shows maturity above her years. An amazing trait to have as a young and upcoming athlete. Olivia is very deserving of this award and this would go a long way in showing Olivia that even though she isn’t winning national medals yet, it won’t be long if she keeps up the good work.
THE Phil Shelley Award for service to the Gippsland Sports Academy and sport in Gippsland. This was awarded to Keith Ferguson (Sale). Keith Ferguson has volunteered his time as the co-head coach of Clay Target Shooting specialising in Skeet and sporting disciplines for the GSA last two years. Keith has had an impressive sporting career himself, which includes: 2016 Rio Olympics 10th place (highest finish from an Australian in Men’s skeet) 2012 London Olympics 20th place 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games Eighth 4 x World Championship Teams 17 x World Cup Teams 4 x Oceanian Championship Teams (1 x gold, 1 x silver, 2 x bronze) 4 x National Champion Gold, 4 x runner-up 4 x National Commonwealth Champion Gold, 6 x runner-up 18 x State Titles (Victorian, NSW, South Australian, Queensland, Western Australian and Northern Territory) National Record (shot in Australia) in Qualification 124/125 and in Final 59/60 To have this expertise available to the Academy’s clay target shooting athletes has been invaluable and certainly worthy of receiving the Phil Shelley Award.
Making a splash: Jim Vivian (GSA Board chair) with Jordyn Cargill (swimming)
Tim Forsyth Award Set for a bright future: Darrell White with Chris Axford (volleyball)
Darrell White Award THE Darrell White Award is in recognition of high achievement in a team orientated sport and was awarded to Chris Axford (from Korumburra) Chris is a diligent trainer with excellent attendance and communication to the coaches. His willingness to work with younger and far less experienced athletes is very impressive and shows his outstanding character. He always give effort to make technical adjustments the coaches suggest. Chris is a long serving GSA athlete who has shown long-term dedication to the program. By Chris winning this award it shows the other kids in the program what they need to do to become an excellent athlete and exceptional person.
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THE Tim Forsyth Award for Sporting Excellence was won by Jordyn Cargill (from Traralgon). Jordyn Cargill is a 16-year-old National Performance athlete and has been the most successful male athlete at the National Swimming Championships for the past five years in Gippsland. Achieving his first national qualifying time at the age of 12, Jordyn has swam the 400m individual medley and finished in the top four each year since 2017. Jordyn has never missed a final in his main event and has twice won medals finishing first at the age of 13 and third as a 14-year-old. Jordyn is a fantastic example for all athletes across Gippsland, training 10 times a week Jordyn has the upmost dedication and attitude towards his swimming and is ability to race at the national level is unmatched across Regional Victoria. The Academy is very proud of Jordyn and are very privileged to witness Jordyn’s amazing ability to race at the national level, where he holds the current Gippsland and Country record for the 400IM. Jordyn is simply the most outstanding swimmer of his age.
June, 2021
GIPPSLAND SPORT
Ablett family’s giant impact on football WITH Gary Ablett Junior making a guest appearance at the Hill End FootballNetball Club last month, Gippsland Farmer thought it would take a look at other members of the Ablett family and their connections to Gippsland. Junior’s dad grew up in Drouin, alongside four brothers and three sisters. Three of the Ablett boys, Kevin, Geoff and Gary Senior played AFL football, while sister Fay added another branch to the family tree by marrying Michael Tuck, who went on to become the AFL games record holder. Interestingly, the Abletts only recently put their family farm at 10 Walton Road, Drouin on the market after 40 years of ownership. The man known as The Little Master is also no stranger to the Latrobe Valley, having opened the Sporting Excellence Program at Lowanna College in 2015. Through a strong friendship with current Hill End senior coach Mike Santo, rumours that Ablett was going to play for the Hillmen did the rounds in the lead up to the match last week. Another Drouin alumni Dale Thomas made headlines as well, after playing a reserves match for Sorrento in the Mornington Peninsula Nepean League on the same weekend. If photos from the day are anything to go by, Daisy has clearly been in a good paddock since retiring. Here are four members of the Ablett family to have been involved in Gippsland sport. 1. Gary Ablett Senior THOSE entering the Drouin Football Club social rooms will be immediately greeted by a huge portrait of Ablett Sr, which takes pride of place in the foyer. Ablett Sr started playing seniors for Drouin at age 16, and was used mainly on a wing for the Hawks. As a 17-year-old he kicked 62 goals to be third in the West Gippsland Football League senior goalkicking in 1979. During the year he twice kicked bags of six against Longwarry, seven against Pakenham and 11 against ROC (Rythdale Officer Cardinia). His prowess as a big game player was enhanced further during that year’s finals series, where he kicked five and three in the second-semi and preliminary final respectively. As well as football Ablett Sr also played soccer for Drouin, often fronting up on Sunday after playing football the previous day. Strangely enough the Ablett Sr-Drouin
A young Gary Ablett Senior in action for Drouin. photograph supplied
connection isn’t as highly publicised as one might assume for a player often regarded as the greatest to ever play the game. This might be in keeping with the low profile Ablett Sr kept throughout his career, and even more so in retirement, as he has remained largely out of the public eye, although he did resurface last year in a bizarre video speaking about his coronavirus conspiracy theories. Ablett Sr was famously reclusive during his playing days, and this air of mystic has arguably enhanced his reputation further. 2. Geoff Ablett The oldest of the Abletts to play AFL/ VFL football, Geoff coached Moe in 1989 and 1990. His two brothers Graham and Len also played for Moe, and the Ablett effect saw the Lions into the finals for the first time since 1974 in 1990. Len ended up playing 29 games in the maroon and blue, while Graham got to 54. As is often the case with brothers, Graham, who played some reserve grade games for Hawthorn, was said to have been good enough to make it to the top level, but didn’t have the passion. The appointment of Geoff Ablett added another chapter to Moe’s connection with Hawthorn, as Ablett’s teammate in the Hawks 1976 premiership was Barry Rowlings, who won two best and fairests with Moe before making his way to Glenferrie Oval. Geoff Ablett played in another Hawthorn premiership in 1978 where he was renowned for his pace, evidenced by him winning four grand final sprints
during his career. Moe Football-Netball Club 200 gamer Billy Pace said he played his best football under Ablett. “The year I won the best and fairest I was lucky to be coached by Geoff Ablett,” he said. “It was probably when roles started to come into the game and I had a role in the backline, it was basically to cut off any full forwards leads. “If Ablett said ‘Pacey you have to go’ I went. I knew that those guys would never let me get hurt.” 3. Luke Ablett THE son of Kevin, who played 38 games for Hawthorn, Richmond and Geelong, Luke Ablett enjoyed a 133game career with Sydney that included the drought breaking 2005 premiership. Luke Ablett may well have been the most maligned person at the MCG if the Swans lost that day, after he kicked the ball across the face of goal and straight to Ben Cousins from deep in defence during the last quarter. Showing the Drouin connection is still strong, Ablett answered an SOS from the Hawks in 2017, travelling up from Torquay to help fill the reserves team. His one-off cameo appearance saw the Hawks go down to eventual premiers Morwell 7.8 (50) to 4.8 (32), but 35-yearold Ablett showed no signs of rust, taking out best on ground honours. 4. Nathan Ablett PERHAPS the most eccentric of all the Abletts, there has been no shortage of Nathan Ablett stories doing the rounds in football parlance over the years. From failing to appear after half-time of a match at Kardinia Park because he was sitting on a couch in the players room eating grapes, to disappearing from Geelong’s 2007 premiership reunion to play basketball, Nathan Ablett has left possibly the strongest impression from anyone who has played 34 games at the top level. Ablett carried this eccentricity into Gippsland during a few brief, but memorable outings for the Hallora Cricket Club in the mid-2000s. Playing against Trafalgar, Ablett caused quite the scene when he strode out to bat wearing a sombrero. Thinking it was a joke, the Trafalgar bowlers were quickly put to the sword, as Ablett began teeing off, sending a lofted straight drive for six straight through the goals at the Hallora Recreation Reserve. Ablett only played a handful of games for Hallora, including one with fellow Geelong recruit and Nilma-Darnum
Valley to host netball nationals
The Latrobe Valley will host the Australian Netball Championships later this year.
June, 2021
THE Latrobe Valley will host the Australian Netball Championships later this year. The new-look pathway competition will be fought out between state and territory member organisations and Suncorp Super Netball clubs from September 11-19, and marks the first time league clubs have been invited to compete in a nationwide pathway tournament. Following a competitive bidding process, Latrobe City in partnership with the Collingwood Magpies were successful in claiming rights to host the event at the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium in Traralgon. This announcement serves as a major coup for Latrobe City, as Mayor Sharon Gibson said the region is fast becoming a regional sporting destination. “Latrobe City is thrilled to facilitate this calibre of sporting event and to offer our community an opportunity to see the superstars of the game shine in our backyard,” Cr Gibson said.
“We are excited to showcase our world-class infrastructure like the new and improved Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium and continue to develop our growing reputation as a regional sporting destination of national significance.” Netball Australia executive general manager of Performance Stacey West said Latrobe City proved the ideal host for this event. “We were incredibly impressed by the Latrobe City Council’s proposal and are delighted to announce Traralgon as the host of the inaugural Australian Netball Championships,” Ms West said. “Over 200 athletes, coaches, umpires and officials will be involved in the event, which is a major talent identification and development opportunity for pathway progression. “We are really excited by the newformat of the competition, which will be played as a round-robin style tournament.”
product Jason Davenport, who later went on to play 28 games for Port Adelaide. Gippsland greatest sporting family? It looks like the Abletts will take some beating as the best sporting family to come out of Gippsland, but do they stand alone? Some other prominent families include the Knowles brothers from Yinnar. Brad played first class cricket for Victoria and Western Australia, while Brett played close to 50 matches for St Kilda. A trio who might rival the Abletts are the Cordy brothers from Traralgon. Neil Cordy played 235 games for Footscray and Sydney, while younger brother Brian played 124 games for the Bulldogs, and Graeme played 27 games for Footscray and Sydney. Brian’s sons Ayce and Zaine also played for the Western Bulldogs, with Zaine playing in the Dogs’ 2016 premiership. Churchill has the Dear brothers, Paul and Greg. Paul played 123 games and won a Norm Smith Medal for Hawthorn while Greg won three premierships in 190 games for Hawthorn and Richmond. Can Gippsland technically claim Michael Voss as one of their own given he was born in Traralgon and lived in Orbost before moving to Queensland?
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