Gippsland Farmer January 2025

Secure the food supply

ALL agricultural land in Victoria should be mapped and strategic land use planning established to protect farmlandinmajorareas such as Gippsland, according to alandmark report by aVictoria parliamentary committee.

This was one of 33 recommendations and 29 findingsina report ‘Securing Victoria’s Food Supply’ by the Legislative Assembly Environment and Planning Committee.

Deputy Chair is The NationalsMemberfor Morwell, Martin Cameron; the Labor Memberfor Bass, Jordan Crugnale was also on the committee.

The committee urged the state government to develop aVictorianfoodsystem strategy to securethe state’s long-termfood supply.

AVictorian FoodSystem Council consisting of awide range of representatives should be set up to guide and implement the strategy, it recommended.

The committee chair, JulianaAddison,saida cohesive policywas needed to securethe state’s food supply as Victoria’s population was forecast to top 10 million by 2051.

“The challenge of feeding and housing our expanding community is placing agriculture under pressure,” she said.

Mr Camer on told Gippsland Farmer that the recommendationto protect farmland was crucial for Gippsland, one

of the primefood-growing areas ofthe state.This included per-urban areas such as Cardinia,where developmentwas forging aheadand could sprawl into Gippsland.

The committee report said the strategymust address the wholefoodsystemagriculture, processing, manufacturing, supply and consumption.

“Map major food producing regionsand protect all agricultural land from inappropriatedevelopment,” the report said.

Hand-in-hand with this would be the establishment of aMinister for Food who would co-ordinate the food system strategy.

Agriculture Victoria shouldupdatethe analysis of agricultural land use trends using the latest Victorian Land Use Information System data, with aparticular focus on peri-urban areas.

“This analysis should be providedtothe new Minister for Food, the Minister for Planning, the Department of Transport and Planning and made publicly available,” the report said.

Agriculture Victoria should expand its service to provide local governments withmappingand analysis of agricultural land uses and trends in their municipality, upon request. It should also deliver biennial reports on agricultural land use trends.

Continued -Page37

Philip HOPKINS

The 28thAnnual BelokaKelpie Championships saw working dogs put their best paws forward across twodays of trials in Welshpool.

Photos:Katrina Brandon

Milestone gives boost

Philip HOPKINS

CARBON captureand storage in Gippsland has received aboost with the celebration of the injection of 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide underground by the CO2CRC at the Otway International Test Centre.

The chief executiveofthe CO2CRC, Dr Matthias Raab, said the event was aglobally significant in demonstrating the feasibility, safety and scalability of carbon storage.

King, announcing new CCS exploration permits earlier this year,emphasised the need for CCS, Dr Raab said. The Minister acknowledged that the International Energy Agency, the CSIRO, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and Australia’s Climate Change Authority “allidentify that carbon captureutilisation and storage will be needed to support the net zerotransition”.

“This achievement cements OITC’sreputation as one of the world’s leading subsurface laboratories and reinforces Australia’s position as atrailblazer in applied climate science,” he told the Gippsland Farmer

“The importance of the milestone of 100,000t of CO2 is not the quantity, but as asymbolic milestone.”

The OITC, in the west of the state, consists of seven purpose-drilled CO2 storage wells morethan1.5 kilometres deepwithin a roughly one kilometresquarearea.

Attendees at the celebration included Victoria’sLeadScientist,DrAmandaScales;a local federal Liberal MP and former Coalition minister,Dan Tehan; and representatives from CarbonNet, whichaimsto build a pipeline from the Latrobe Valleytaking CO2 emissions from industry for storage in empty Bass Strait reservoirs.

The Ministerfor Energy, Resources and Climate Action, Lily D’Ambrosio,was invited but aspokesman said she could not attend due to other commitments but passed on her congratulationsfor hitting the milestone.

Dr Raab said the CO2CRC had gone from ‘blue sky’research to commercially relevant demonstrations across the chain of CCS.

Without offshoreCCS, storage hubs and shared infrastructure, hard-to-abate industries such as concrete and steel had nochance to reduce their emissions under the SafeguardMechanism, he said.

The CO2CRC is in aparadoxical position.

“Wehave been in leadership globally for 21 years. We arerecognised across the entire world -but arebarely known and recognised in Victoria,” he said.

“Wereceive an incredible amount of attention from researchers globally, from Asian partners in Japanand Korea, with whom we havelong-term,trusted relationships We recently signeda memorandumof understanding with Carbon Management Canada. We arethe only two organisations that make national research infrastructure available for scientists. Our work and data arepublished without encumbrances and peer-reviewed by experts from around the globe.”

Dr Raab said the significance for Victoria was that Victoria has an organisation genuinely leading the world to develop the technologies required to expedite the energy transition”.

“Weare developing thenextgeneration technology for the next generation projects. We aredeveloping monitoring technology to safeguardthe environment, to be complaint with regulations, to reduce the cost of operating CCS or geological carbon storage projects -technology that we can rely upon forhighintegrity, the measurement of the permanent storage of CO2 and permanent abatement, for hundreds and thousands of years,” he said.

Dr Raab said“theclimate benefits are immediate and permanent”.

“This is easy to demonstrate; we have been demonstrating this togetherwith national and international research partners, eight Australianuniversities,GeoScience Australia,CSIRO, and regional universities, including Federation University, with whom we have been working for many years,” he said.

The federal Resources Minister,Madeleine

“The credibilityofthe work that we undertake is rigorously reviewed and tested over decades, so we know how long it takes to develop new technologies,” he said.

“The reason Isay it, we see ‘start-ups’ with great publicity popping up everywhere; they aregetting awards from newspapers without due diligence, they aregetting listed on the top100listofAustraliangreenCEOSwithout providing any evidenceabout the credibility of their work -some, not all of them.”

Dr Raab said the lessons from OITC pave theway for replicable solutions globally “While this milestone is significant, it is not the end of the journey. Continued funding and support areessentialtoadvance our understanding of underground storage for CO2 and emerging solutions like hydrogen,” he said.

“Futureresearchwillfurtherde-riskstorage technologies, optimise monitoring systems and improve cost-effectiveness, making CCS acornerstone of the energy transition.”

Gippy Farmer newsbriefs

Leadership program

THE Gippsland Agricultural Leadership Program will run for the firsttime this year,taking an agriculture-specific focus to equip local farmers, land managers and agricultural industry professionals with the skills to thinkinnovatively in addressing the evolving challenges within the sector

Participantswill be empowered to drive transformative change in their businesses, communities, and the broader agricultural landscape, gaining the knowledge and confidence to lead the futureoffarming.

Led by farmmanagementconsultant

Chris Mirams and futurist Dr Gary Saliba, director at management consulting company Strategic Journeys, this three-month program includes aregional tour,training, mentoring and peer-to-peer learning to strengthen leadership skills and build personal and business resilience.

Running from MarchthroughtoMay 2025, the program includes atwo-day study tour whereparticipants will explore cutting-edge agricultural practices and hear from sustainable farming innovators and successful agricultural entrepreneurs.

Thestudytour offers an opportunity to see first-hand how communities arereimagining their farming approaches, fostering resilience, diversifying income streams, and building stronger collaborations.

Participants will gain practicalinsights intoemerging practices, innovation in sustainability, and the adaptive mindset required to drive change within their own enterprises and the wider sector

This experience integrates learnings from the program into practice -fromsolving immediate farmchallenges to developing long-termstrategies that enhance profitability, sustainability, and community vitality.

Participants shouldhave an aspiration for afutureroleincommunity-focused leadership, recovery and economic skills; and be aged over 18 years-of-age.

 Additional information:

The program will be seven days, including an overnight retreat, and a two-day study tour;

 Program days will be full days (9am -5pm);

 Through the Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program (RDRP) funding that has been secured, there arenoprogram costs to participants, though personal costs may be incurred; and,

 Catering will be provided.

Please note this program accepts applications from individuals with aconnection to the region and who have the ability to contribute to the Gippsland community. Download the Gippsland Agricultural Leadership Program flyer from the AgricultureVictoria website.

Carbon Kit

AGRICULUTRE Victoria is confident the new one-stop spot for existing resources,

tools and training related to carbonand emissions in agriculture, will help people navigate their understanding of carbon farming.

Agriculture Victoria Climate Change Service Development Officer,HeatherField said the new digital kit includes links to arangeofAgriculture Victoriaproducts and resources, plus industry and federal government resources.

“The purpose of the Carbon and Emissions Resource Kit is to provide aone-stop spot to access existing trusted, publicly available and science-based resources, tools and training related to carbon and emissions in agriculture," she said.

The kit will be avaluable resource for service providers including consultants, government agency staffand advisors delivering carbon and emissions information and management strategies to farmers.

Ms Field said the new kit provides information to help address three key questions asked by farmers:

 Why do Ineed to manage my emissions?

 WheredoIstart?

 Is carbon farming something I should be doing moreof?

Access the Carbon and Emissions ResourceKit online,or call Agriculture Victoria on 136 186.

Scholarship recipients

CONGRATULATIONStoJasmine Maher, one of this year’s Upskill and Invest Young FarmersScholarship recipients

Jasmine is making strides on her family farm in Gippsland, with a strong focus on genetics, animal husbandry, and sustainable land management.

Through the scholarship, she’ll be taking agrazing course, aruminant nutrition course, and investing in acalf catcher to support her operations.

Rural finance

THE Rural Financial Counselling Service provides afreeand confidentialfinancial counselling service to eligible farmers and small related enterprises who areexperiencing, or at risk of, financial hardships.

They can help you access available support, analyse your businesssituation, negotiate with lenders and develop strategies to improve your financial position.

To find your closest service, visit the Rural Financial Counselling Service website, or call 1300 771 741.

Keeping pets cool

NEVER leaveyour pet in aparked car,even with windows cracked -ittakes minutes for adog to die in ahot car

If you see apet in distress in ahot car, call 000. Carrywater and aportable water bowl during car trips.

Use sunshades and keep the air conditioning on when driving.

When the weather is hot walk your dog early in the day beforethe temperatureand ground heats up.

Test pavement temperaturewith the back

of yourhand. Considerbooties forextra protection.

Create asafe space indoors during storms. Use calmingproducts like anxietywraps or pheromone diffusers.

Consult your vet about anxiety medications if needed.

Use vet-recommended tick prevention products. Checkyour pet for ticks after outdoor activities.

Maintain atick-free yardbykeeping grass short and removing debris.

For snake bite prevention, be cautious in areas known for snakes.

Keepyour pet on aleash and stickto well-trodden paths.

Learn about venomous snakes in your region and their habitats.

If your pet is bitten, take them to avet immediately.

When it comes to skin cancer prevention, shield your pet from harmful rays and limit sun exposureduring peak hours.

Apply pet-safe sunscreen to vulnerable areas(nose,ears, belly). Regularly check forlumps or changes in your pet’s skin.

Be prepared in case of drought, evaluate your current feed supply duration.

Exploredrought-resistant feed options or consider alternatives that areresilient to water scarcity.

Secureadependable feed supplierwith emergency procedures. Implement conservation measures for astable water supply.

Have aplan for extended droughtperiods, monitoring predictions.

By following these tips, you can ensurea safe and enjoyable summer for your pets. Remember,alittle extra caregoesa long way in keeping furry friends happy and healthy during the warmer months.

If you have any concerns about your pet’s wellbeing,consultyour veterinarianfor personalised advice.

Grants

GROUPS across Gippsland wereamongs the recipients of state government grants in the agricultural sector

Among the recipients was Wildlife Unlimited, which received $50,000 for its Partnerships Against FoxesinEast Gippsland project.

Another recipient was Destination Phillip Island, who with the support of a$70,000 grant recently ran the ‘Local Flavours Food and Drink Showcase -Phillip Island and Bass Coast’ event at Berninneit, Cowes.

The state-wide grantsincluded 25

recipients of the thirdround of $5 million Partnerships AgainstPests grants program, 16 grants from the government’s VicGrown RegionalActivism Program,and $300,000 across34Agriculturaland Pastoral Societies Grants Program.

SPRAYING

• Weeds

• Liquid fertilizer

• Pesticides

SPREADING

• Fertilizer pellets

• Powder/granules

• Seed

PHOTOGRAMMETRY

• Farm mapping

• Contour maps

• Crop health

• Aerial photography

0490 482 727

Servicing Budgeree, Boolarra, Mirboo North, Yinnar,Hazelwood North, Thorpdale, Traralgon, surrounding districts and beyond www.bedroned.com.au contact@bedroned.com.au like us on facebook/ beDRONED2023

Fighting fires from the skies

VICTORIA'S aerialfirefighting fleet is ready to respond to what is forecast to be one of the most high-risk fireseasons in recent years for much of the state this summer, according to the Ministerfor Emergency Services, Jaclyn Symes.

Ms Symes last month unveiled the fleet at Avalon Airport alongside Emergency Management Commissioner, Rick Nugent and emergency services personnel.

This year’s corefleet features 54 dedicated aircraft strategically positioned across the state to supporteffortsonthe groundand gather crucial intelligence from the air to help faster tactical decision making.

Returning this yearare two Large Air Tankers based at Avalon which can also be deployed from smaller regional airports, making them moreagile to move around the state.

The fleetalsoincludesa Black Hawk, other Type 1helicopters, and aSuper Puma which has acapacity of 4000 litres.

The Super Puma is supported by an Air Attack Supervision aircraft for detection and observation at night.

An important addition to the fleet this year is aBell 214ST helicopter,which has the ability to pick up salt water -giving responders moreoptions to help put fires out faster

Two Aircraneswilljointhe fleet after their service period ends in North America. Victoria will have three additional aircraft on short-termcontracts until the Aircranes arrive, bringing the total contracted aircraft this summer to 57.

Victoria canalso access a'call when needed'fleet ofmorethan100 aircraft and can request extra aircraft from the national fleet.

TheAFACsummer outlook, which was released in November,made it clear that large parts of Victoria arefacing their highest firerisk since the summer of 2019/20.

It indicates most of westernVictoria, as well as south-west Gippsland, Mornington Peninsula, greater Melbourne and northeastVictoria areatanincreased riskof fireactivity.

The risk for the rest of the state is forecast to be normal for summer -which means

fires arestill possible and everyone must do their part to be prepared.

For moreinformation on how to preparefor emergencies, downloadthe VicEmergency app. People can also create afireplan online customised to their needs and sharable with family and friends via fireplanner.vic.gov.au

Ms Symes said the government was ready for the season.

“I’m excited to see the returnoftwo Large Air Tankers to Victoria this year.Fromits base in Avalon it can reach Mildura in the north to Horsham in the west or Benambra in the north east,” she said.

Mr Nugent,said: “Weare well prepared for this higher risk weather season, with excellent support from our aerial firefighting fleet and thousands of dedicated emergency services personnel. Preparedness is a shared responsibility. Sit down with your household to talk about your emergency plan andwhatyou will do in case of a fireorother emergency.”

An aerial firefighting fleet is ready to respond to fires across the state

Photo: iStock

Transition targets

Philip HOPKINS

VICGRID has refined the study area for the transmission infrastructureneeded to support offshorewind generation offthe coast of Gippsland and is seeking abuilder for the project.

VicGrid’s study area, released in March last year,starts around six kilometres from the coast near Giffardand extends north-west past Stradbroke West to Willung, across to Flynns Creek to the Loy Yang Power Station.

The area will host the transmission to enablethedevelopmentof2gigawatts(GW)of offshorewind generation,developed through community consultation during 2023.

The chief executive, Alistair Parker said, VicGrid had now taken the first steps in refining the study area, identifyingsome areas not suitable for further investigation to host the transmission.These areas include land hosting threatened native plants, areas wherethere areconstruction challenges and some areas west of the Loy Yang Power Station that arenot needed or not suitable to host transmission

After consideration of the merits of330 kilovolt(kV) and 500 kV transmission technology, VicGrid has also decided a500 kV transmission line is the most suitable solution for this project.

“Wewill nowcontinuetoengage with landholders to identify important areas and features and carry out field investigations as it works to refine the studyareatoapreferred corridorinthe first halfofnextyear,”Mr Parker said.

VicGrid was keen to work closely with landholders so it could understand important areas and features on their properties and take this into account in its design work.

“Localknowledgewillplayacrucialrole in the planning of this infrastructureand I would like to thank landholders who have been engaging with us and sharing information about their properties,” Mr Parker said.

“The morewecan understand about things

like people’s farming practices, irrigation systems and soil and pasture types, the better job we can do of minimising impacts.

Mr Parker said talking with VicGrid early in the process provided the best opportunity for locals to influence the location for the new transmission. Landholders areencouraged to get involved in the nextstageof refiningthe studyareabymeeting with their dedicated landholderliaison adviser,joining aneighbour meeting wherethey and their neighbours can come together to ask VicGrid questions as agroup, and by completing a survey on important areas and features.

VicGrid has alsoset up alocalhub in Rosedale for landholders and the community to drop in and speak to theproject team.

The VicGrid Rosedale hub will be open at the Rosedale NeighbourhoodHouse on Thursdays until the end of March.

VicGrid said it is looking for adevelopment and construction partnerthat will work closely with local communities, Traditional Owners and landholders while drivingvalue for money for Victorian energy users.

The project is expected to create an average of 600 jobs ayear in the construction phase, peaking at 1460 during2027. Construction is expectedtostart in late 2027 and the infrastructurewill begin operating in 2030.

The transmission tosupport offshore windissubject to an EnvironmentalEffects Statementprocess, which is nowunderway and involvesathoroughinvestigation of the potential environmental impacts of the project, includingsocial, agricultural and economic aspects.

Victoria has alegislated 95 per cent renewable energy targets by 2035. Communities and Traditional Owners thathostnew transmission lines will benefit from special funds created by the state government.

Landowners that host transmission infrastructurewill receive$200,000 per kilometre oftransmissionhostedontheirproperties,on top of existing compensation arrangements, which cover the loss of land value.

Pick of the pair forCancer fundraising

Linda Jefferis has been working hard over the years by hosting The Biggest Morning Tea for the Cancer Council Australia.

It was last May when she hosted her Morning Tea that had broken all her previous records for the amount raised. With athrow away comment of “how am Igoing to top this” when chatting to friend Fiona Glover, that Fiona got thinking and she said “I think Ihave an idea”.

After acatch up over coffee, Fiona put her idea to Linda, offering atop Wattlewood Angus Heifer to be auctioned off at the 2025 Wattlewood Angus Bull Sale on Friday the 7th of March, where all proceeds will be donated to the cause. From this simple idea, big things have grown.

Fiona and her husband John drafted out a‘pair of heifers’ that also just happen to be the top of the autumn 2024 drop, and outside donors have since jumped in to help with Angus Australia supporting the package by adding an Angus Australia membership, registration and genotyping of this heifers first calf along with some Angus Australia merchandise.

Not only that but ABS Genus have pledged a$200 semen voucher for the purchaser to select the sire of their choice for the heifer and Daryl Holder of The Cattle Shop has added ahalter, leads and acomb to what is now considered areal starter pack for abudding young cattle enthusiast wanting to make astartinthe industry, or just abreeder who is looking to add aquality female to their herd. The heifers have been halter broken and will be heading off to afew local shows with some young cattle handlers learning and gaining confidence aroundthese beautiful animals and also to advertise the donation to the charity.

Over the years, Linda has raised over $60,000.00 through her morning teas, holding raffles and selling her handmade jewelry and homewares, but not only has she raised much needed funds for this great charity, but made the community more aware of what the Cancer Council do with their research, education, awareness and also prevention.

“Unfortunately, there wouldn’t be too

many people out there that haven’t been touched by cancer either directly or indirectly” Linda said.

“Hosting the Biggest Morning Tea was a no brainer as away Icould do something to help.”

If you would like to learn more about the Wattlewood Angus ‘pick of the pair’ of heifers available, please call Fiona on 0416 216 951.

The lovely heifers will be on display at the Wattlewood Angus Beef Week Open Day and Bull Sale Preview on Sunday the 2nd of February, before going up for auction at Wattlewood, Lang Lang and on AuctionsPlus on Friday 7th of March at 12 noon.

BLACKJACK ANGUS –Quality in Spades

BLACKJACK Angus offers aunique opportunity to both view and buy bullsout of the paddock at its Beef Week Open Day from 9am to 5pm on Sunday 2nd February, 2025.

Blackjack Angus, located at Westbury, just 5km North of Moe, have been breeding purebred Angus cattle since 2018 and will sell their thirdcropof20HerdBook RegisteredParentVerified Bullsand a selection of embryo packages in February The vision ofBlackjackAngus is to produce reliable, fertile, modern cattle for Gippsland’s discerning beef producers.

The 2025 yarding of 18 to 24 month bulls certainly promises “Quality in Spades”.

DNA Parent Verification is acornerstone of Blackjack’s operation to ensurebuyers arereceiving the pedigrees and genomics they arepaying for

At Blackjack Angus, all of their cowsand all of their progeny areDNA parent verified and genomically tested.

Stud Principal, Stewart Cluning puts it simply, “Buying apurebred bull of any breed should not be agamble!

Youpay good moneyfor abull and it

shouldperformits function, whether it’s to produce calves with high growth, an easy calvingheifer bull or improve your herd’s feet.

Parent Verification, Genomics, Fertility testing and Ultrasound scanning allreduce the gamble in buying aBull.”

Their current crop of young bulls are displayinggreat shape, docility,calving easeand growth- all traitsGippsland beef producers desire

Blackjack Angus also use Embryo Transfer technology to capitalise on their

elite females and share their geneticsto produce higherqualitybullswithgreat maternal and structural traits. Embryo packageswillalsobeavailable for the first time in 2025.

For ahardcopy sale catalogueorto arrange aprivate on farminspection call Stewart on 0428 535 985.

Videosofall thebulls areavailableon Blackjack Angus’s YouTube Channel (see QR code in advertisement on page 26 )or search for Blackjack Angus 2025 Sale on your device.

Women in dairy sharing ‘wise words’

Katrina BRANDON

FROMall areasoffarming,about 175 women (and afew men)attended the Women In DairyDiscussion Group’s (WIDDG) thirdannual end-of-year lunch during November last year

The lunch allowed the women to meet other farmers, hear different farmexperiences, and socialise.

Held at the Moe Racing Club, the group got to hear from afarming panel, including Thelma Hutchison, LynHornby, and Chris Anderson, who have had their fair shareof farming experiences, following the theme of the day, Wise Words.

Prior to the panel,WIDDG Co-founder,

Allison Potter and Co-ordinator,Belinda Griffin opened the day with adiscussion of the previous year’s event.

In 2023, the group competed to create a logo visually representing the group. The winner was vet Alex Boileau.

Leading the panel discussion was GippsDairy’s FarmEngagement Lead, Kim Price.

One of the main topics of discussion was thechallenges of thepast indairy, developments in dairy, and how country politicshas changed. The women on the panel reminisced about the milk price crisis in 2008and how they struggled but could get through it or break even.

Winnindoowaitprolonged fornew station

TomHAYES

THE rural firebrigade of Winnindoo is reportedly going to have to wait another 12 months for the construction of its new station, according to Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien.

Winnindoo is located between Rosedale and Heyfield, servicing the local area in between the two towns,and would be often called upon to help surrounding regions.

Fundingtoreplace WinnindooFire Station was announced in October 2020 and construction has been delayed ever since.

Mr O’Brien has labelled it as ascandalous case of incompetence from the state government.

“Six years from announcement to completion to get anew, small rural fire station is an absolute joke even for this government,” he said.

“It’s now way pastembarrassing for this

government that asmall country firestation announced in October 2020 won’t be completed until 2026.

“It’s yetanother fireseason that the volunteers will be left to put up with substandard facilities -notoilet, no kitchen and no change facilities.

“This is such an insult to our hardworking CFAvolunteers who have been campaigning for anew station for years. They wereoverjoyed when the funding announcement came but now they’ve been severely let down.”

The state government snapped back in its response, stating that it is working through and finalising the project delivery of the new station, asthe Community Safety Building Authority is progressing with the designincollaborating with the CFAand WinnindooFireBrigade members.

“We’ve invested morethan $22 million to ensureour Country FireAuthority brigades havemodern, safe, and

fit-for-purposefacilities toprotect the community,” astate government spokesperson said.

“Weare continuing towork with the Country FireAuthority on the Winnindoo FireStation so that it meets the needs of local volunteers.”

Mr O’Brien said he will continue to campaign for Winnindoo and otherfire brigades throughout Gippsland.

“Despite amassive increase in the fire services property levy this year,the CFA budget has in fact been cut by $4 million, begging the question wherehas the money gone?” he added.

“Laborhas repeatedlyinsulted and neglected our CFAvolunteers and it seems only achange of government willimprove the situation.”

The stategovernmentalso said:“The Winnindoo community is well-served in case of an emergency by its own brigade and surround brigadesinRosedale, Heyfield, Cowwarr,and Toongabbie”.

Milk pricing was aprominent issuethey had to deal with, but they mostly talked about how theweather couldimpact the farm and how theycould work.Ms Hutchinson reminisced about the weather, talkingabout having to fetch cows in flash flooding to milk while her husband could not.

During the discussion of the flash flood, Ms Hutchinson joked that cows aremore intelligent than sheep in bad weather situations like the one she had previously experienced, which the crowd thoroughly enjoyed.

While things have become moretechnologically advanced, Ms Anderson reminded the crowd that social sports haven’t changed much. Duringher farming years her husbandwas big on cricket,leaving people to help out during cricket days.

“You manage the thingsyou wantinyour life,” She said.

“You areindependent -fit your life around the farm.”

Afterthe panel, the women and two men who joined the day enjoyed lunch, during which each farmer could network for an hour

Overall, Ms Griffin was pleased with the number of ladies who attended the event in 2024.

“It’s important to provide opportunities for dairying women to connect, and we’re thrilled thata recordnumber took the time to come along and be involved this year,” She said.

“Hopefully, events like these continue to grow as these networks become stronger.”

Correction:inthe December issue of Gippsland Farmer,it was statedthat the Women in Dairy Discussion Group started in 2017. It was formed across 2006-2007.

Having spent many years on farms and in the agricultureworld,Chris Anderson, LynHornbry, and Thelma Hutchison shared their stories with female farmers.

Photo: Katrina Brandon

Old methods lead to unreliability

THE Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has released astatement outlining changes to its climateinformation, which itsays aredesignedtohelp the community better understand forecasts.

The statement said thecommunityis encouraged to follow the BoM's short-term and long-termforecasts, rather than focusing on the outlook for climate indicators such as the El Niño–SouthernOscillation.

The changes will help providethe most relevant and accurate information, based on whole-of-system weather observations, modelling and moreprecise predictions.

Climate Manager,DrKarl Braganza said as the climate continues to change, people’s historical experience is less aligned to the present and futureclimate.

Therefore, old methods of prediction have become less reliableand new modelsbased

on current information areamorereliable way to help the community and industry best plan and preparefor coming seasonal trends, Dr Braganza declares.

“Weare moving away from focusing on individual environmental phenomena,”he said.

“In achanging climate it is moredifficult to make predictions based on events when they arelooked at individually -climate systems arecomplex andcannot be explained by just one influencing factor.”

“The Bureau’slong-range90-dayforecasts,whichare issuedand updated regularly, arethe best guide for the communityregarding Australia’s likely rainfall and temperaturefor the weeks and months ahead."

The Bureau’slong-range forecastsare informed by the physics-based ACCESS-S

Best effluent practice

Rachael CAMPBELL

DAIRYeffluent can be applied to areas with some green leaf still present after cutting for silage.

This will help promote valuable pasture regrowth for an extra grazing and replace lost nutrients.

Dairy effluent contains many important nutrients suchasnitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

An effluent test is the best way to determinethe mostappropriate application rate for your farmasnutrient levels vary between farms.

Total potassium per application should be no morethan 60kg potassium per hectare and no morethan120kg potassium per hectareper year

Total nitrogen application should be no morethan 60-80kg nitrogen per hectare. Heavier applications increase the risk of nitrate poisoning, mineral imbalances and losses to the environment.

If achemical analysis isn’t available, a rule of thumbis to apply liquid effluent at arate of 1megalitreper four hectares, wherethereisnolikelihood of runofffrom the property.

Restrict cattle grazing for at least 21 days after the application of effluent as this withholding period will overcome any

palatability or fouling issues, reduce the risk of pathogens and allow time for the plants to respond to the nutrients.

Sludge will also need to be removed from your first pond every so often, depending on thedesign. This can be applied to paddocks about to be cultivated for acroporsprayed thinly on pastureatsimilar times to the effluent.

Vacuum tankerscan be useful for this purpose.

Withholdingperiods tendtobelonger for sludge applicationsthan liquid effluent, and thesepaddocks shouldn’t be grazed until the grasshas grown through the sludge layer

Continue to conduct regular soil testingoverthe longertermwhereeffluent is applied, to monitor nutrient levels and soil health.

To find moreinformation about using dairyeffluent,get in touch with Rachael Campbell via email at: rachael.campbell@ agriculture.vic.gov.au

For moreinformationonmanaging during drought visit: agriculture.vic.gov. au/dryseasons, or call 136 186.

Rachael Campbell is the Agriculture Victoria Dairy Industry Development Officer

dynamicalmodel, which hasbeendeveloped and consistently improved over the past decade.

This model takes in current atmospheric and oceanic observations,including changing greenhouse gas concentrations, and uses physics toproduce its forecasts.It inputs the most up-to-date data, keeping track of ongoing changes in climate systems and conditions in oceans and atmosphere that influence seasonal weather

As the most trusted source of climate information forAustralia,the Bureau’s information on current conditions, including all relevant data on climate indicators, will be publishedonthe new Southern Hemispheremonitoring andoutlookweb pages.

Theywillincludedata on relevant

environmental phenomena such as: sea surface temperatures, El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), La Niña or ElNiño Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), ENSO and IOD forecasts using the Bureau’s climate model SouthernAnnular Mode (SAM), and Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO).

The Bureau will cease issuing: fortnightly Climate Driver Updates publication of international climatemodel summaries and forecasts for ENSO and the IOD, and ENSO Outlook Watch and Alert statements and using the ENSO dial.

Further updates will include improvements to the long-range forecast maps and supporting materials, making them easier to use and understand.

Wetand wild Beloka Championships

Katrina BRANDON

ONE extreme to anotherwas brought to the 28th AnnualBeloka Kelpie Championships in Welshpool, with awet end to November and asunny but wet start to December

Morethan 70 people attended the Kelpie trials over the weekend, hailing from all corners of the stateand even some from New South Wales.

Everyone was welcome to enter,from youngpupsand older dogs to young handlers and older folks.

November 30 startedwithadownpourof almost 20 millimetres, followedbythe open yardtrail,encourage/local, novice utility trial, cattle trial, instinct testing, city slicker sheep dog trails and noveltyevents such as dog high jump and farmagility.

Due to high attendance,mostevents ran long, with some contenders holding back by the fireto stay warmwhile waiting for their turn.

The crowd of handlers and dogs ranged from beginners to ‘city slickers’ to farmers to professionals and experienced trial runners.The weekend allowed attendees to network with different Kelpie owners, test the skills of their pup or pups, learn different skills, and have fun while spending time with their beloved Kelpies.

To end the day on agood note, those

camping overnight could dine together over aroast in the main Beloka shed. Many conversations around tables and the campfire warmed up the night as it ended.

Some Saturday trials werepushed back to December 1due to high demand and high weather pressure, leaving not enough options for some, especially for the city slicker sheep dog trial division.

Starting on awarmer note, the Sunday followedwithmoreyardtrials(novice) utility trails(open), cattletrials(novice), instinct testingand city slickers, aswell as more additions such as ducktrials, a working dograce and puppy trials for pups under five or 10 months old.

Winners

TopDog Challenge and Yard Trial (Open)Travis Scott with Pin; Yard Trial (Novice) - Stephen Bullas with Clancy; Yard Trial (Encourage) - Marcus Taylor with Molly; Yard Trial (Local) - Stacey Jans with Issy; Utility Trial (Open) - Travis Scott with Pin; Utility Trial (Novice) - Stephen Bullas with Clancy; Cattle Trail (Open) - Andrew Whelan with Victor; Cattle Tria (Novice) - Andrew Whelan with Burls; Duck Trials - Chris Davies with Harry, followed by Ms Davies’ dogs Whiskey (second) and Zoe (third); City Slicker Sheep Dog Trail (Saturday)Max Douglas with Roger,scoring 99 out of 100; City Slicker Sheep Dog Trail (Sunday)Marie Todd with Billie; Dog High Jump - Marie Todd with Storm; Farm Agilityand Working Dog Race- Ally Hook with Jaffa; Puppies on Sheep (under five months)Paul Ward with Sonic, and; Puppies on Sheep (under 10 months)Carolyn Houston with Vaila.

The BelokaKelpie Championships brought many challenges, including up to 20 millimetres of rain.

All sheep and cows weretrouble after dealing with rain and then heatatthe BelokaKelpie Trials.

Thereweremanydifferent trials, with trial competition with ducks, sheep and cows.

Photos: Katrina Brandon

Xavier College is on the move

The Xavier Boarding House prides itselfoncreating acommunity based on Catholic values, where studentsand staffforge lasting bonds and whereevery student experiences abroad and challenging program in asmall Boarding House setting.

At Xavier College they strive to engender alove of learning that will last long after graduation from the College.

They do this by providing acaring community within which boys from Years 9 to 12 areencouraged to develop personal leadershipskills,tobecomeresponsible membersof thecommunity,tostrivefor excellence and to become ‘men for others’.

Avital facet of aXavier College education is their focus on ensuring that boys are connecting with awelcoming and caring community.

Xavier boarders appreciate the opportunity to live, work and play with their best mates.

2024 Year 12 Boarder and Captain of Boats, Harry Glass, summarises this idea perfectly: “Becoming boarder at Xavier is one of the best decisions Ihave madeinmylife far It has exposed me to avariety opportunities that Iwould not have found elsewhere.

Many of these friendships Ihave found within our boarding family.

Being part of such atight knit boarding community

made the transition to livinginthe city very enjoyableand easy. Ithas given me the chance to build such strong connections with people that Iwill carry with me beyond my time at the college.

“One of the most unique things that sets Xavier apart from all the other schools is when one of our Year 12 students voluntarily makes themselves vulnerable in front of their peers.

It is asafe time for them to sharegeneral wellbeing difficulties or reflect on how they have navigated through difficult times of their life.

This vulnerability and trust explains some of the incredible bonds and lifelong friendships that areforgedduringtheir time here.

It recognisesthe need for young males to sharetheir feelings and demonstrates how we supporteach other on our journey throughout life.

“The Xavier experience has been life changing for not only me, but also my family and Ithoroughly encourage anyoneconsidering boarding to seize the opportunities at Xavier.”

The Boarding House seeks to enhance each boy’s sense of respect for the members his community.

The relatively small eofthe house

ensures that students know one another well and arethereforeina position to contributepositively to the learning and development of their fellow boarders.

The key entry pointofYear7 is now accommodated in an exceptional, new state-of-the-art Year 7-8 learning precinct on the Senior Campus, opened at the beginning of the 2024 school year

Preceding this will be aseven-year journey

through an amazing, brand-new P-6 Junior School.

Xavier prides itselfondelivering aunique Jesuit education, and 2028 will mark 150 years of developing exceptional graduates through inspiring learning experiences.

Buoyed by strong recent VCE results and APS sporting success, the College nowlooks ahead with excitement and anticipation. Xavier College is very much on the move.

Farmers warned about hay firerisks

Michelle JOLLIFFE

EVERY hay season, several haystacks spontaneously combustacross Victoria,in single moist bales or in astack of any size.

Once the hay has been stacked it’s important to regularly monitor it for heating and act quickly.

Unfortunately, even with technological advances in machineryfor harvesting conserved fodder, there is still nothing cost effective to help monitor the internal temperatures of haystacks.

So, it’s back to some very simple techniques to keep an eye on hay stacks.

Watch for signs of heating, such as keeping an eye out for signs that the haystack is heating. Steam condensation on the shed roof, mould growth, acrid fumes and hot, humid air at the top of the stack areall good indicators.

When building stacks with suspect wet hay,stack thebales loosely to allow air

movement and spread the stack over a wider area, for example, over several bays, thereby reducing heat build-up.

Mostheatingwill occur over the first one or two weeks but has been knowntoreach ‘flash point’ up to eight weeks after baling. Monitor the stack temperatureregularly.

Youshould also determine the stack temperature.

Stack temperaturecan be measured using acrowbar inserted as deep as possible into

the stack and left for two hours. After two hours, the crowbar can beremoved and felt by hand to give you arough guide of the internal stack temperatures.

The temperatureofthe bale is up to about 50C if you can hold the crowbar without discomfort. It is up to 60C if the bar can be held for ashort time only and up to 70C if the bar can only be touched briefly. If you can’t hold the bar,temperatureisabove 70C and fireisareal possibility.

In the past it has been suggested to push asmall pipe into the stack and lower a small thermometer to the end of the pipe to measurethe temperatureofwarming hay.

However,thistechnique should not be used for severely heating hay as it may oxygenate the inner section of the stack and cause afiretostart.

If a stack starts to get ‘dangerously hot’, pull it apart as quickly as possible.

Be awarethat as the bales arepulled out of the stack,especiallyin atightly built

stack,oxygen will get accesstothe hot spot and potentially cause ignition. Make surethat water is readily available and suitably qualified people areableto assist in firesuppression if required. Avoid walking on the stack as the extremely high temperatures may have charred the centreof the stack. Any extra weight on the stack may cause the stack to collapse into the dangerously hot centre and cause serious injury.

If thereisthe slightest risk of afirestarting due to wet hay, never keep machinery in the hayshed and don’t allow children to play in or near heating stacks.

The Country FireAuthority website has good information about hay firerisk. Search ‘hay fires’ at: cfa.vic.gov.au/

For moreinformation about dry seasonal conditions and drought support, visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au, or call 136 186. Michele Jolliffe is an Agriculture Victoria DairyExtension Officer.

Forests need management,not negligence

Philip HOPKINS

THE Leader of TheNationals,Danny O’Brien, has urged the state government to revamp its forestry management practices as part of the independent review into the futureof Parks Victoria.

The review was ordered after savage criticismofParkVictoria for itsbansonrock climbing in large swathes of the Grampians and Arapiles in westernVictoria.

Mr O’Brien, the Deputy Leader of the Coalition and the MP for Gippsland South, said Parks Victoria and its chief executive had taken the fall for Labor’s incompetence, but the review was an opportunity for rethinking forestry policy.

“TheNationalshave long held concerns

about forest managementinthis state, both under Parks Victoria in national parks and DEECA in state forests. The Nationals believe our forests need to be managed -they can’t simply be locked up and left alone,” he told the Gippsland Times

“Neighbouring landownerswill tell you thatnationalparks areahaven forpest animalsand weeds and moreoften than not, atinder box waiting to explode, just as they didduring the Black Summer bushfires.”

Mr O’Briensaid TheNationals hadchampioned the concept of moreIndigenous cool burning to better carefor forests.

“Wedon’t believe Parks has done enough to protect our forests from wildfire,” he said

“When it comes to public land management

under Labor,thereare too many suits and not enough boots on the ground. The review offers an opportunity for Labor to turn around its failed approach.”

On the state government’s announcement of the review, Mr O’Brien said only aLabor government would slash jobs and cut $95 million from an organisation as they have with Parks Victoria and then state that its ‘current operations need to be improved’.

“No joke! Regional Victorians know Parks hasbeen failing for yearsbecause Labor is moreinterested in chasing Green preferencesthanmanagingour natural environment properly,” he said.

ParksVictoria Chief Executive, Matthew Jackson, who has run the organisation for

more than five years, has left his position under the orders of the state government.

TheLabor Allangovernmenthas announcedafull independentreview into Parks Victoria including a“focus on Parks Victoria’s priorities, the delivery of its objectives under the Parks Victoria Act 2018, the organisation’s administration, finances, functions and delivery model -to identify ways the organisation reduce red tape, improve customer service, and deliver better outcomes for Victorians”.

On the last day of Parliament for 2024, federal Coalition and independent senators and MPs signed adocument that supports the rock climbing communityagainst the climbing bans.

Haycan carry firerisks during over summer. Photo: Contributed

Money Matters - NEED MORE CASH FLOW?

The exasperated cost of living crisis is affecting us all.

Tightening belts, keeping wallets firmly closed and working harder with less hands on deck areall ways to get through.

Whatifinstead ofthingsbeing harder, you could be smarter and increase profit potential –even during acost of living crisis -got your attention?

Read on to find out how.

Farming involves big money and therefore big costs saving potential, making all the difference insurviving theoff-season, a crisis, or enhancing your financial future.

$50 hereand $5,000 therecan add up and can be reapplied to other farmproductivity improvements to further increase profits, as well as alternative investments, and paying debts faster (resulting in moresavings!).

Saving $500per yearequates to nearly $6,000 over 10 years at 3percent average interest.

Imagine ifyou found10items saving $500 each =awhopping $60,000 offyour mortgage over 10 years!

Now imagine finding additional savings each year…

Your admin tasks will finally become an exciting job if you tackle it with the mindset of ‘wherecan Ifind money today?’

Makeitafun weekly challenge to find the extra cash.

One idea is Money Making Monday’s…

Engage your team -farmlabourers; bookkeepers; accountants; financial advisors; agronomists; industrysupport agencies; milk processors, or family members can all offer efficiency options and ideas.

As astart, hereisalist of some tips that could save you money/increase profits

You won’t be able to tackle all of these at once, so pick afew and work on the others:

 Negotiate with current lenders to reduce interest rates

Consolidate debtswhereinterest rates can’t be reduced; multiple debts into one low interest rate.

 Government Concessional Loans may be agood option OR use this option as leverage with current lenders to reduce their interest rate.

Establish acost share‘network’ of local farmers –bulk buy supplies at cheaper rate or shareinequipment purchases.

 Additional benefit of enabling supplier representatives to regularly engage with the group for best prices and products –lots of suppliers will be vying to get your business!

 Research other processors /contract and market opportunities.

 Follow up your accounts owing.

Sell offdebts to aprofessional collection agency for accounts that arehardtorecover –could eliminate your stress and provide you with extra time for other morepleasant activities.

Check current direct debitsand subscriptions payments on your statements and cancel any that arenot essential.

 It is always agood idea to review ALL insurance policies (if transferring –make sureyou negotiate reduced or nil waiting periods).

Look out for inflated cover amounts!

This task couldsaveyou thousands of dollars each time you tackle this review.

 Review all utility plans and/or request better deals with electricity, telephone, and internet providers.

Negotiate with suppliers for cheaper rates if youcommittoautomatic direct debits for regular costs OR offer pre-payment for biggerpurchases– youwillbesurprised what suppliers will agree to for regular payments.

But make sureyou can commit to the regular payments.

 Beforepurchasing replacement equipment, analyse cost benefit of repairing, or upgrade on lease/loan agreements with morecost-efficient models.

Sell equipment that is no longer used or used sparingly,and you can hireor contract, as needed.

Arrangea ‘strict’ asset maintenance schedule to increase lifespan and resell value.

An ‘EquipmentMaintenancePlan’will prioritise repairstoimmediate farmneeds, avoiding unnecessary spend.

 Make informed purchases by developing aplan each season for what you actually need.

Considerall costs including labour, fuel,fertiliser,chemicals, andseedsetc. (especially at end of the financial year if you arepredictinga tax profit,timing of purchases could reduce your tax debt).

 Prioritise and budget each project and only undertake 1project at a time –otherwise risk multiple unfished projects and/or cost blow outs.

 Review and time stock purchases with seasonal price changes.

Ifyou can, buy when on sale or prepurchase at their cheapest and storefor next season.

Evaluate your seedtraitsand if you really need high-cost hybrids.

Simple trait varieties that still produce profitableyields may have multiple competing suppliers and better deals.

Research alternative fertilizer options or grazing management to improve efficiencies or production.

Optimise nutrient application by analysing yield from acrop’s maximum nitrogen or nutrient uptake.

 Power and water generation –arethereopportunities to produce your own utilities?

Government programs can help with cost of analysing options or purchasing/ installing equipment.

 Review if they areworth the cost or can you get morevalue for money elsewhere–either another property or alternative investment(s).

Negotiate flexible rent structurebased on seasonal income, or consider bartering opportunities.

 Leverage the $20,000 instant asset write-off: Small farmbusinesses can immediately deduct the full cost of eligible assets under $20,000 until June 30, 2025.

 Utilise tax concessions and deductions: Take advantage of measures like the FarmManagement Deposits Scheme, accelerated depreciation for water and fodder infrastructure, and other primary producer tax benefits.

 Implement energy efficiency measures: Explorethe Victorian Energy Upgrades Program to recoup 10-100 percent of costs for projects that reduce electricity or natural gas consumption.

 Exploregovernment support programs: Utilise resources like the FarmBusiness Resilience Program to develop skills for managing drought impacts and changing climate conditions.

 Optimise farm management: Implement datadriven systems to

Reviewconsumptionofeverything (home and farm).

If you can’t reduce price, reduce use and thereforeannual cost(s).

 Be brave -negotiate or reconsider farmlease rates.

monitor processes, livestock health, and irrigation for informed decisionmaking and improved productivity. Investigate robotics and mechanisation: Lookintosystemsthat canfacilitate efficient processing, feeding, and quality control to reduce costs and waste.

 Work out your hourly rate (worth) and ensureyou spend valuable time focusing your specialist skills on farmproductivity improvements and outsource [if you can] other tasks at cheaper rates.

Remember alittle saying we use here at RFCS Gippsland: Do your bestand outsource the rest.

Thereare many options; factors and circumstances to analyse,which may take alittle or alot oftimeand somealternative thinking.

If you or yourteamjust don’t have the time –outsource -engage professionals.

RFCS Gippsland have a specialist team experienced at analysingfarmfinancial and finding efficiencies.

RFCS Gippsland area free service dedicated to supporting farmers improve their financial viability.

Makethe calland start making more money today.

QUICK CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Sending to press(8)

5 Bank order (6)

10 Disconnected(5)

11 Speedofpulse (5,4)

12 Downhillski race (6)

13 Repeating (7)

14 LargeAustralianspider (8)

15 Former prime ministerof Sweden,–Löfven(6)

18 Knife(6)

20 Gleefully (8)

21 Against thelaw (7)

24 Comic character, –the Menace(6)

27 Pathological self-admirer (9)

28 Watercrafts(5)

29 Englishcounty (6)

30 Appraised(8)

Laziness (9)

Of thetide(5)

9-LETTER WORD

Using thenine letters in the grid, how manywords of four letters or morecan you list? The centreletter must be included and eachletter may only be used once. No colloquialorforeign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural nouns endingin“s”.

Today’sAim:

14 words: Good 21 words: Very good 29 words: Excellent

I U N A L T A

Book of theHebrew

Smallaxe (8)

Resembling (5)

Crisis (9) 9 Sham (4)

(8)

Illustrious (5)

a,ur,aaunt

Growth opportunitiesfor beef exports

AUSTRALIA has the opportunity to cement itself as one of the key beef suppliers into South-East Asian markets -asthe appetite for beef continues to grow among the region’sconsumers, according to agribusiness specialist Rabobank.

In itsjust-releasedreport, Growth Opportunities in South-East Asia for Australian Beef,the banksaid therewas

an expectation the South-East Asian region would continue to experience growth in beef consumption.

Reportauthor,RaboResearchsenioranimal proteins analyst, Angus Gidley-Baird said alarge populationbase and increasing wealth in key South-East Asian marketsincluding Indonesia,Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand andVietnam -presented an

Farmland needs to be protected: Federation

THE Victorian Farmers Federation(VFF) has welcomed the state government recognising farming as apriority sector to boost the state’s productivity, but says aclear strategy to protectimportant agricultural land is required.

In response to the Economic Growth Statement, VFF president Emma Germano said abalanced approach to land use between competing priority sectors of the economy needed to be taken.

“The acknowledgment thatagribusiness is apriority for the state’s economic growth and competitiveness is very welcome and builds offthe VFF’s conversations with government,” she said.

“Cutting redtape to drive productivity is akey focus for the VFF and we have already made it apriority for our policy work next year. It is positive to see the VictorianGovernmenthas thisshared commitment.

“However, theEconomicGrowth Statementis missing one key strategy that is required to protect and strengthen Victoria’s food and fibreproduction.

“Whilst the statement recognises agribusiness as apriority, it overlooks the

inherent conflictbetween agricultural land use and the demands of other priority sectors, such as critical minerals and renewable energy development.”

“The statementisvery heavy on seeing mining and renewable energy development over the top of land the produces our food by loosening planning and environmental safeguards.”

Ms Germano said Victoria produced 30 per cent of the nation’s food from just 1.5 per cent of Australia’s land mass.

“Weare ahugeeconomiccontributor and can do moreif we commit to protecting our most valuable agriculture farmland,” she said.

“Agricultural land is afinite resource, and the government must prioritise its long-termviability in any strategy aimed at growing the state’s economy.

“At the end of the day, solar panelsand windturbines have an end of life, and mines get filled in. Farming is forever

“The VFF has been consistent in calling on theVictorian government to implement aclear androbust strategy to identify and protect strategic agricultural land from inappropriate development.”

opportunity for Australian beef to position itself as ahigh quality but value focussed supplier for consumers through foodservice and grocery channels.

Mr Gidley-Baird said geographic proximity, trade agreements and product offering gave Australia a strong advantage in supplying countries in the region.

“Leveragingthisadvantage and further developing relationships and business partnerships as well as working to meet their product needs can help Australia capture futuregrowth opportunities,” he said.

“And realising this opportunity will also supportthe ongoing growth of the Australian beef industry in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.”

South-East Asia represents the fifth largest export market for Australian beef, Mr Gidley-Bairdsaid, taking about 10 per cent of the country’s exported beef volume and value in 2023.

“Beef is one of the lesser-consumed proteinsacross South-East Asia,” Mr Gidley-Bairdsaid.

In all countries,exceptIndonesia, beef sits behind pork, poultry and seafood on aper capita consumption basis and generally represents no morethan six per cent of thetotal (including seafood) protein consumption.

The Rabobank report said in volume, Vietnamwas projected to seethe largest increaseinconsumption (up 152,000 tonnes) with Indonesia the second largest (up 97,000 tonnes) over the next five years.

“Beef retail sales volumes and values have been increasing at ahealthy rate across the region,” the report said.

Mr Gidley-Baird saidinmany of the South-East Asian countries, formal retail sales channels wereless developed and wet markets still played avery importantrolein food distribution, with wet markets believed to make up alarge proportion of bovine productsales.Hesaid retail sales data reflectedsales through formalchannels

(as reported by established retail outlets), rather than sales through wet markets.

“While webelieve wet markets will continue to have arole in these economies, the growth in retail sales illustrates an increasing presence of beef in moreformal food sales channels,providing opportunities for importers of bovine products,” he said.

Rabobank expected domestic beef production growth in South-East Asia would be limited, largely due to land resource and capital constraints.

“The bulk of bovine product imported into the South-East Asian region is derivedfrom three main suppliers,”MrGidley-Baird said.

“In 2022, India and Australia made up the majority (at 53 per centand 18 per cent respectively) and recently Brazil has increased its volumes (to 13 per cent). The US is the next largest supplier at amuch smaller six per cent of the market.”

The reportsaid Australia’scurrent exported cuts to South-East Asian markets andthe origin of exports reflected this lower price point market.

Brisket and “manufacturing cuts” werethe predominantexported cuts from Australia to thesemarkets, MrGidley-Baird said, withsome also taking larger volumes of knuckle (Indonesia, Vietnam), shin/shank (Vietnam) and chuck roll (Thailand).

“Queensland, with their higher bos indicus-content beef and Victoria with a higher cow kill arethe major exporters to the South-East Asia region, comprising 51 per cent and 31 per cent respectively of Australia’s total exports in the 2023-24 year.”

Mr Gidley-Bairdsaid beef consumption wasexpected to gradually increase in the South-East Asian region, presenting opportunities for the Australian beef industry. Increases in wealth, improvements in cold chains, urbanisation and westernisation of diets areall expected to shape the consumption volumes of the future.

Rain can create animal health issues

RAINand humidweatherprovide ideal conditions for asuiteofissuesthat can impact animal health, including Barber’s poleworm, flystrike and anassociated increase in toxic weeds.

Agriculture Victoria seniorveterinary officer Dr JeffCave said during warm humid conditions, Barber’s pole wormeggs hatch into larvae and were consumed by sheep during grazing.

“Barber’s pole wormisa potentially harmful roundwormparasite of sheepthat sucks blood from the lining of the stomach, causing anaemia,” he said.

“Often the sheep go from looking fat and healthy to dead very quickly with few symptoms.

“The adult female worms areprolific egg producers leading rapidly to heavy pasture contamination.”

Dr Cave said as with other internalparasites, drench resistance to Barber’s pole wormwas becoming increasingly common.

“Producers need tolookout for sheep goingdown duringmustering withpale eyelids and gums,” he said.

“Sheepdon’tscourwith Barber’spole wormasthey do with other wormburdens -often the first sign is sheep dying.

“It takes about 21 days for the lifecycle of the worm, so around three-to-six weeks after the rain event is when we expect to see clinical signs in sheep.”

Dr CavesaidBarber’s pole worm outbreaks could lead to high mortalities in a short space of time.

“Thebestway tobesureyourworm control program is working is to have faecal egg counts done,” he said.

“Afterrecent rains and humid conditions, sheep producers need to check their stock moreregularly thannormal in orderto detect health problems early.

“Flystrike is also amajor problem when you have these humid conditions and needs to be identified and treated swiftly.

“If afly-struck sheep is found, the affected area should be immediately treated by clipping close to the skin, dressed to prevent a re-strike, and the sheep should be moved to ahospital paddocktoreduce the risk to the rest of the flock.

“Anymaggots should be collected and killed to help reducethe build-up offly numbers.”

For further advice and information on fly strike visit flyboss.com.au/ and wool.com/ sheep/welfare/breech-flystrike/

Lifetime of service to the dairy industry

GARYMcAinch was awarded the highly regarded RJ (Bob)PitmanAwardat the 2024 annualmeeting of the Macalister ResearchFarmCo-Operative, trading as Macalister Demonstration Farm(MDF).

With Mr McAinchunabletoattend the meeting, 2023 recipient John ‘Bruiser’ Bermingham presentedthe awardtoMr McAinch’s daughter Donna Woerz, herself an activememberofthe Macalister Irrigation District (MID) dairying community.

The awardhonours the late Bob Pitman, who was along-standing secretary on the MDF board, and amember of the local dairy industry who took it upon himself to always help others wherehe could, share his knowledge and expertise and generally be akind and generous person.

Recipients arechosen from thelocal farming community and recognisedas going beyond the call of duty to strive to better the lot for the broader farming community.

Mr Bermingham said having his name on the trophy which featured Mr Pitman’s name, alongwith the names of all the other worthyrecipients, was aprivilege and delight.And knowing that Mr McAinch’s

name was now also on thetrophy extended that pride even further

Mr McAinchmoved to the MID in 1976 with his wife Rita and family after buying their first farmatDenison. Their dairying operationgradually grewwiththe purchase of four neighbouring farms, and Mr McAinch becameanearly adopter of technology within the district. Their operationwas one of the first dairying properties to use lateral shift sprays and acentrepivotintheir irrigation system They werealsoamong the first to install reuse dams to improve and utilise their water savings.

Significantly, Mr McAinch pioneered teat cup removal technology in the family’s 20-a-side herringbonedairyin1979,saying the result was that a “two-man shed had become a one-woman shed”. In addition, he helped establish VicStock, providing farmers withabetter place to sell cattle,and sat on the board at a local and state level, along with manyother influentialcommittees and organisations at the local, state, andfederal levels of the dairy industry.

As part of his passion for cows and

genetics,hetaught and ran artificial insemination (AI) courses for morethan 20 years, upskilling farmers and AI technicians across the country.

Mr McAinchbelieved itwas not always necessary to turnout the best-looking cow, rather,cows that carried strong traits for the practical needs of adairy farm-those influencing production and profitabilitywereneeded.

Mr McAinch is astaunchsupporterof the MDF,wherehefocused on athree-way breeding trial, investigating potential fertility

benefits for farmers. He acknowledged that he would not have been able to run a successful dairy operation, and maintain his involvement in outside committees and organisations, whichsaw him regularly away fromthe farm, withoutthe strong partnership of his wife Rita.

Mrs McAinch’s love of the farmand milking enabled the couple to build their herd to morethan 500 milkers, and freed Mr McAinch up to work oncalfbuying,hay contracting, AI and attend meetings that were part of his support for the industry.

Equipping agricultural leaders

FARMERS, land managers,and agricultural professionals areinvited to apply for the inaugural Gippsland Agricultural Leadership Program.

The agriculture-focused program is designed to equip participants with the necessary skills and confidence to navigate evolving challenges within the sector, foster innovation, and build resilience in their businesses and communities.

Gippsland agribusiness to not only tackle challenges of any scale and size, but to create transformative change in reshaping the futureofour region.”

Key topics for the course include navigating uncertainty and risk; community development and leadership; resilience and innovation; and climateand drought preparedness.

Running from March to May,the programtargets emerging agricultural leaders over 18 years-of-age and will be led by industry experts Chris Mirams and Dr Gary Saliba.

South GippslandfarmerJenny O’Sullivan, one of the course coordinators,described the content as highly relevant for developing practical knowledge and learning how to think differently.

“Over sevendays, participants will engage in training sessions, peer-topeer learning, and atwo-day study tour exploring cutting-edgepractices thatdriveprofitability, resilienceand sustainability,” she said.

“It’s aprogram that aims to empower

Open to applicants connected with the Gippsland region,the course isfully funded, with major support received from the FutureDrought Fund’s Regional Drought Resilience PlanningProgram and assistance providedby South Gippsland ShireCouncil.

Applications can be submitted via www. surveymonkey.com/r/P3RQ539 and close Friday, January 31.

Followingthe shortlisting of applications on February 7, participants will be notified and enrolled in the course, which is scheduled to be delivered from March to May, 2025.

For moreinformation, phone Jenny O’Sullivanon0419153 377oremail leapjos@gmail.com

Gary McAinch (second fromright) wasabletoaccept the RJ (Bob) Pitman Awardinperson recently and catch up with friends and colleagues from the Macalister dairy community and MDF,(from left) John ‘Bruiser’ Bermingham, Graeme Anderson (father of comedian Wil) and current MDF board member and dairy farmer Bree Whittaker Photo: Contributed

Wild dog control“common sense”

MEMBER for Gippsland East, TimBull is relieved that common sense has prevailed with the continuation of the wild dog control program.

Mr Bull paid tributetothe thousands who signedthe petitions, advocated and reported attacks, attended publicmeetingsand shared their stories.

“This news will come as abig relief to livestock farmers across the region, and while thereare changes to the program, including the cancellation ofthe wild dog bounty, the retentionofthe unprotection order is critical and awin for the farming community,” he said.

“This order allows for the control of wild dogs in athree-kilometre buffer zone of Crown Land around private property.

“Opponents who sought to put an end to this clearlyhave no knowledge of either the impact or best methods to stop dogs from killing stock. They simply argued

for better fencing and the fact that no controls should take place on Crown Land.

“What they fail to grasp is, fencing is one tool but cannot be relied on alone. The government only allows clearing of one metre

adjacent tofence lines, meaning theyare constantlybrought down by falling trees. In the last lot of storms, we sawhundreds of branches compromise fences. Wombatsand sambardeeralso cause significant damage.

“These same people who want to only rely on exclusion fencing would be screaming blue murder if theDepartment (of Agriculture) allowed clearing of atreelength around their private propertyyou cannot have it both ways.

“Apart from being able to stop dogs getting on to private land, it is also impossible to control them when they do. Farmers cannot set traps in open paddocks where livestock arerunning, so their only chance of control is to be therein the right paddock at 3am when the dogs attack -it is simply not feasible.

“The controls have to be on the tracks and trails the dogs use in the bush adjacent to private land. Every farmer and dogger will tell you that. Youwill never get them all,but the controls keep our farmers viable.

“The opponents also get hung up on whether they aredingoes or wild dogs. The majority of farmers will tell you they don’t care– they

aredogs that kill their stock, there’s lots of them and some need to be controlled, while theyare happyfor the bigger population to thrive in the widerbush.The argument they areunderthreat is just ridiculous.

“I am pleased the Minister (AgricultureMinister Ros Spence) has listened to common sense and left this program unchanged. We need to continue supporting our primary producers.”

Mr Bull said he and landholders had raised several flaws in the departments data when presented at recent public meetings.

“This is awin for now, but we can’t become complacent. Farmers must continue to report stock deaths and dog sightings. It is clear many thought this was awaste of time, but when this program is reconsidered in 2028, we will need this.

“I urge primary producers to keepsupplyingthis datatothe Department of Agriculture.”

Plan ahead for productive, positive herdhealth

Dr HANNAH MANNING

DURING adifficult season, some cows will have atough time getting back in calf.

Many spring calving herds arejoining their cows and in some cases these cows areinpoorer condition than normal.

Limitedfeedavailability makesgetting back in calf abig ask for the cows.

Due to the season, thereisarisk of reduced conception rates for many farms. We can tchange whathas already happened, but if farmers pregnancy test early

they canmake informed decisions about empty cows.

Cows canbepregnancy tested from six weeks, meaning farmers can sell empty cows earlier to prevent feeding unproductive stock.

In alean year pregnancytestingalso gives farmers achancetoexamine theirstock and keep and feed only theirmostvaluable stock.

The cost of owningand maintaining abeef cow for a year is high, so every cow on the property must be fully productive.

Even if they have calves at foot, nonpregnant cows areonly partially productive. Given the year,early weaningisalso worth considering. If you need assistance in formulating a plan for your cows, Expressions of Interest arenow openfor farmers indroughtaffected areas of south west Victoria to register for afreeone-on-one consultation with afarmadvisor.

The program offers eligible farmers the opportunity to sit down with a consultant to discuss the best way forwardfor their

business in the current season happening. The one-on-oneincludes adrought managementplanning sessionofupto three hours and follow up call to develop aDrought Management Action Plan. For moreinformation about dry seasonal conditions and droughtsupport, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons or call 136 186.

Dr Hannah Manning is Agriculture Victoria Livestock Industry Development Officer at Colac

Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull (vest) alongside concerned farmers at the wild dog public meeting in Omeo. Photo supplied

Lions star helps resurrect local pub

TomHAYES

FORMER Brisbane Lions triple premiership player,coach and current Collingwood assistant coach, Justin Leppitsch, alongsidebusinesspartners,has purchased, renovated, and reopened the pub at Port Welshpool.

Renamed the Rusty Gurnard, it opened for business in late November2024, giving Port Welshpool locals apub to eat, drink, and socialise for the first time since 2021.

Leppitsch has history as adeveloper after his AFL playing career came to an end in 2006,however he had never been involved commercially before.

Leppitsch and business partner Adam Thorn spoketo Gippsland Farmer about the experience of revamping acommercial business on the Gippsland coast.

“My wife andIhave gotahouse down there, we bought ahouse therein2020, so Iguess we werefamiliar with the area,” Thornsaid.

“The opportunitycame along, Justinand Ihad done aprevious project together -it was Justin’s project,and Iassisted him with it -and we discussed doing something else together and this opportunity came up, Iapproached him and it all kind of went from there.”

Leppitsch added the challenges that surrounded the purchase, as well as the running of the business which will mostly be new to both himself, and Thorn.

“Wewerelooking around… the property market has been adifficult one to get into from adeveloper’s perspective,” Leppitsch said.

“It really was afantasticopportunity to get the land and building… so we’ve gone from property owners to publicans, which is probablythe biggest challenge of the whole thing… the running of the pub poses adifferent challenge, but an exciting one.”

Leppitschnever even saw himself owning commercially even after his developer history, expecting himself to stay involved with “smaller-end developments”.

“I was always interested to have property, but not abusiness perse, so I’m loving this part of it to have something else.”

The contract was settledbymid-December 2023, with the land settled early in June 2024, whichprompted thestart ofthe renovations.

“Wedid alittle work in the background leading up to June, mainly around permits with council, some of that back-end work,” Thornsaid.

“We’d obviously looked at kitchens, and the bar,and crunched some numbers on certain things so we did afair bit of work in the background.

“It was really just amatter of hitting the ground running come June (2024) because we wanted to hit the target of opening by mid-November (2024) to give ourselves a

good four to five weeks beforeChristmas to find our feet and iron out any little things beforethe busy summer period.”

Whenit came to renovations,itwas a matter of all hands on deck.

“My background is kind of in project management, so we did alot of the work thereourselves in terms of the demo and those sorts of things,” Thornsaid.

“Just having apresence on site to deal withtradies,electricians,plumbersand all sorts of things -that was the way we approached it.

“Wemanaged it ourselvesand did alot of the work ourselves.”

The group did wanttostayin line with the nautical theme, which can be seen through thename‘TheRusty Gurnard’. Thorn’s wife, Michelle, dida lot of the interior design.

Since opening, Leppitsch and Thornhave receivedquite abit of positive feedback thus far

“They (Port Welshpool locals) aredefinitely excited, we had afair bit of pressurefrom afew of the locals during the renovations to hurry up!” Thornsaid.

“The feedback is pretty common… ‘Gee, it’s great to have the watering hole back’.

“Evenonthe opening day, just looking over the bar and into the pub itself and just seeing everyone laughing, you can tell therewas agenuine excitement in getting their pub back.”

Thorn is down at the pubfivedaysa week at this stage, while Leppitsch is seen at the pub every now and again pouring beers among taking photos and signing autographs.

Plans for the futurehave already begun now that business is underway.

“Nowthatwe’vegot our feetunderthe desk alittle bit, we have started to talk about that. We wereswimming the first few weeks justkeeping upwithsomeof the demand,” Leppitsch said.

Leppitsch, Thornand those behind The Rusty Gurnardhave begancontacting bands and other forms of live entertainment and have even been on the receiving end about hosting weddings.

Thornadded that they werekeen on introducing rafflesand mentioned the potential of extending as far as creating a local 8-ball team “for the locals”.

Leppitsch joins fellow Brisbane premiership player and Yarram local Josh Dunkley in pub ownership in Gippsland. Dunkley is apart of amulti-investor syndicate at the Woodside Pub, which reopened in 2022.

“They’vedoneagreat job inthatrenovation… it’s awesome. Yousort of want everyone in the community to thrive and win and bring morepeopletothe area -that’s whatthe whole thing is about,” Leppitsch said.

The exterior of the recently reopened Rusty Gurnard. Port Welshpool locals have delighted in having apub back in town.

Current Collingwood Magpies assistant coach Justin Leppitschand his wife Christine during renovation of the Port Welshpool pub. Photos: Contributed

CChateau Limousins

hateau Limousins will once again offer their 2025 bulls for sale at their 11th annual on property sale.

This year’s draft will feature 25 bulls, consisting of Apricot and Black sires including fiveFrench Pure Polled bulls.

Selling on Thursday 6th March at 1.00pm at Londrigan via Wangaratta the McIntyre family will continue to offer their genetics and sires backed with over 40 years of breeding behind them with an everlasting focus on long bodied easy doing cattle that are free moving and easy to handle.

While the sale will be interfaced online, they look forwardtooffering a preview at theBeef Week Open Day7Tuesday4th January.

Stud contactAndrew McIntyreisalsoavailable to discuss any questions you have.

Contacthim on 0428 191282 othertimes can alsobearranged.

This year’s draft of bulls itselfwill feature an even mixofrising twoyear old and 18 month old sires comprising of 13 Apricot and 12 Black bulls with DNA testing being carried out and seven being Homozygous Polled, 18 Polled with only two horned bulls on offer keeping in line with ever changing industry preferences.

All bulls have also been sire verified so that you can be assured that the blood lines are as described.

With several bulls being heifer friendly there is alarge portion of offering with EBV’s for all growth traitsand in particular Carcass Weight EBV’s in the leading end of the Limousin Breed leaving potential buyers plenty of scope to find the right bull to fit their purpose.

While EBV’s are important, Chateau also values the structure and shape of an animal which can only be judged by seeing the cattleinthe flesh or viaphoto/ video.

The McIntyre’s also offer for lots purchased from the sale free delivery to all major Victorian centres and freight subsidy for other locations.

The sale will again be conducted via video format with footage shown during the sale and cattledisplayed in pens on the day.

Videos of all lots willbeavailable from mid to late January via Chateau’s Website and Facebook page.

2025 Beef Week

Stud Beef Victorian Event Locations

Raedean Red Angus

Annette, Noel and Georgia hope you can put Raedean and Georgia’s Reds on your list of studs to visit.

With their focus on economic traits, they cull heavily for undesirable traits to keep improving their herd.

Adocile temperament is extremely important to them along with structural correctness, good feet and udders.

You will be able to walkthough all their cattle on display and Georgia will be excited to introduce you to her stud cattle.

The stud will have their spring herd on display along with some embryo calves out of their award-winning cow Hillandale

Red Jude J18 xRed MRLA Respect 42G. Raedean teamed up with GK Red Angus, Dalby Queensland and brought in asmall quantity of the Respect semen.

You will be able to see the only progeny in Southern Australia by this new sire. Raedean are continually striving to improve and introduce new bloodlines into their herd such as from MRLA, U2, Bandeeka, Tronar and GK and their most recent purchase was the new herd sire RA Thor T11.

Raedean Red Angus welcome you to inspect their Red Angus herd and select your new sire from their high performing functional female herd.

Doben Park

For the last 47 years the Benson family have been breeding Shorthorn cattle on their 79ha property at Buln Buln, West Gippsland.

Through their stud, Doben Park Shorthorns they currently run 110 registered and commercial cows, 23 registered and commercial unjoined yearling heifers and 20 registered and commercial weaner heifers.

The cows are joined to roan Spry Bred Shorthorn bulls and were selected for their excellent fertility, calving ease, mothering, milking ability and docility. These inherent qualities combine to produce more live and healthy calves which have the ability to grow quickly. These calves finish on pasture and/or

grain which then produces high yielding premium quality meat with marbling and even fat distribution.

They are well placed to satisfy demand for superior meat eating qualities, tenderness, flavor and juiciness with their marbling ability and are suitable for both the domestic and export markets.

Shorthorns are one of the only breeds that can be crossed with Angus or Angus infused females to increase growth through hybrid vigour, maintaining the marbling both breeds are renowned for.

When using ared Shorthorn bull over an Angus cow the outcome is an ideal F1 throughout Gippsland and this cross will produce apredominantly black calf.

One definite advantage of the Shorthorn breed is that whilst the steers are turning

Doben Park Shorthorns is runbyThe Benson Family at Buln Buln in West Gippsland.We’ve been breeding Shorthorn cattlefor over 40 years. We havea selectionofBullsfor sale from 16months to 28months Red, White, Red and Whiteand Roan Thequietnature of Shorthorns, theeaseofcalving andthe resistance to bloat and eyecancer combinetomakeShorthorns an easy care breed.

out quality carcases their sisters are back at home forming the basis of afunctional, efficient cow herd.

Through their ability to provide greater weight gain, lay down cover and provide a quality carcase from across bred female the Shorthorns continue to provide a profitable opportunity for commercial cattlemen.

This is seeing Shorthorns to be highly profitable in the grass fed and feeder markets.

The Australian beef industry is moving away from commodity beef production to avalue based brand system which now means that the beef that is produced has to deliver the right quality to fit the brand specifications to underpin your premiums. The beef that is produced also has to

resonate with consumers beyond the new industry standards with Shorthorn Beef becoming one of the most sought after beef products on the market today with high end dining establishments.

Adding Shorthorn genetics will increase the ability to deliver apremium beef product and will ensure your program will deliver both value, trust and maximise returns for the future.

Shorthorns are the easy care breed with ease of calving and resistance to both bloat and eye cancer.

Doben Park Shorthornshave aselection of bulls for sale from 16 -28months Red, White, Red and White Roan.

For more information contact Doug 0407 343 966 or Sandy 0409 074 291.

Glenellerslie Hereford Stud

Glenellerslie Hereford Stud has bred horned cattle since 1948 and polled cattle were introduced in 1998.

The name came about because Gordon Smith drew Block 8inthe Ellerslie Estate War Service Settlement at Adelong, and his wife June wanted aname with “Glen” in it to reflect theirScots heritage.

In 1974 Gordon spent most of the inheritance from his parents on stud cows to start aHereford stud in memory of them.

Since 1974 Gordon and June and now Ross, Mandy, Blake and Carly Smith have endeavoured to breed cattle with size and muscle while also retaining doing ability.

Whilst they believe Breedplan figures are agreat tool in breeding, they have resisted the temptation to breed cattle purely for their advantageous data, they also present an article with theobvious attributes of size, muscle and doing ability.

This means that they have so improved the milking ability of their herd that they now only artificially inseminate their heifers, not cows, and some of theirbest bulls are being bred from these heifers.

They also believe colour is an important attribute of Herefords and don’t retain

light coloured cattle, nor do they tolerate poor behaviour in the herd.

February 11th is their 32nd bull sale where they are offering 21 Horned Herefords and 15 Polled bulls.

The polled team are sired by new sires Tycollah Southland and Yarawa South Radium plus more sons of Kaludah Cooper.

The dehorned team are led by first sons of Glenellerslie Tambo, Glenellerslie Unorthodox and Warwick Court Quinns, plus more outstanding sons of Yarram Unique, Kaludah Stormboy, Amos Vale Galloway and the last son of WRL Macca. Ablastfrom the past iswell wortha look in their Lot 2bull, sired by Kaludah Mr Percival whose last sons graced their catalogue in the year 2000.

All the bulls carry the Glenellerslie Guarantee, they are semen tested, inoculated with Vibrovax, Multimin, 7in 1, drenched against fluke andworms and this year will be treated with Cydectin to guard against external and internal parasites.

Their 2024 sale saw Glenellerslie Winks (H) sell for $12000 to long time clients Laurie and Terry Forrest, the business now in the hands of Peter Forrest from Tintaldra

Glenellerslie Winks (H)

Moorunga Angus

Dromana based; Moorunga Angus Stud will be holding its first Online Production Sale on Friday 21st March 2025. This sale will be in addition to the stud’s annual bull sale, held in August each year.

Moorunga will be offering aselection of their herd; young cows with calves, pregnant heifers, unjoined heifers, asmall selection of bulls plus semen and embryo packages.

It will be agreat opportunity to procure progeny and amp; genetics from some of the studs top donor cows, and exclusive sires.

The sale will be held online with Auction Plus, running from 10am and finishing 7pm with Moorunga hosting an open day from 10am to 3pm.

The Elders agents will be available assist anyone new to bidding online.

Stock and Land Beef Week open day on Sunday 2nd February will be agreat chance to preview the sale animals and have achat about what’s on offer.

The sale draft will be on display as as some of the donor cows and sires.

Private inspections are also welcome, appointment.

Banquet Angus

Everyone is welcome to the Banquet Angus Field Day at Mortlake on Thursday 30th January. This is agreatopportunity to meet the Branson Family and casually inspect the 100 bulls catalogued for their Autumn Bull Sale, on Thursday 27th February.

The first sons of Banquet Sensation S005 will feature in Banquet’s Autumn Bull Sale.

in the paddock.

His sons have met with strong buying support and progeny reports are excellent.

Any producer searching for these sustainability traits would be wise to inspect sons of Nuttella N462.

Other new sires include Banquet Statesman S154, Banquet Sunrise S236 and Banquet Specialty S323.

S005 was selected by Mountain Valley Stud in Banquet’s 2022 Spring Sale for the top sale price of $65,000.

He was used in AI and Embryo Transfer at Banquet and his sons and daughters are standouts for muscularity, hair type, structure and docility.

Sensation S005 is ason of the legendary Banquet Quiet Y091.

Several sons of Y091 have been used at Banquet.

The progeny of the super star sire Banquet Nuttella N462 will again feature.

Progeny of Nuttella excel for temperament, structure, fertility, do ability, survivability and real performance

Banquet will have aselection of the100 PTIC Banquet blood commercial heifers on display.

These will be offered as part of the Banquet Autumn Sale on February 27th.

The heifers were purchased from long term Banquet clients at last year’s Weaner Sales.

They have been joined toBanquet sires selected for their calving ease.

This elite offeringisagreat opportunity to fast track the improvement of your commercial herd.

They also showcase whatyou can produce with generations of Banquet genetics.

Banquet Sensation S005First sons feature for sale February 2025

All about the Beef at Alpine Angus

Tarwin Poll Herefords have been based at the Meeniyan property for over 70 years, taking its name from the Tarwin River that fronts the property.

Commenced in 1950, at the request of local agents for sons of Studlea Playmate, purchased at the 1950 Melbourne Royal Show, the stud has maintained its objective of producing sound commercial cattle for Gippsland producers ever since.

Current owner David Meikle comments “In those early days alot of emphasis was placed on pedigrees and showing.

Now we have tools such as performance recording and DNA testing to predict how our animals should perform.

”This is aperformance recorded herd with the calves being regularly weighed up to 600 days and the weights submitted to the Breedplan program.

Sale bulls are scanned for eye muscle area and fat cover.

These results will be available on the Beef Week open day.

Replacement heifers and sale bulls are DNA tested to confirm parentage and polledness.”

2023 was also Tarwin’s third effort at online selling, with 5young bulls offered

on AuctionsPlus as members of the Gippsland Performance Herefords group in September.

Tarwin Terence T046 aWirruna Nolan son made secondtop price in this sale at $8,500, with Tarwin achieving a100 percent clearance.

Stud manager David Meikle commented “for this year I’m very happy to get afull clearance.”

The stud’s objective is to produce attractive, sound, commercial poll Hereford cattle, able to perform off grass.

To achieve this they use amix of AI breeding andajudicious selection of sires for natural mating.

Sires chosen will generally have a modest birth weight coupled with above average growth weights and carcass traits, traits such as eye pigmentation and hooding are also considered in their sire selection.

To further test the performance of their genetics, the Meikles regularly compete in the Lardner Park Grass Finished Steer trials.

In 2023 they had two teams entered, with both teams averaging growth rates of 1.29 kg/day and 1.36 kg/day.

Beating the overall trial average of 1.24 kg/day.

The previous year Tarwin came 2nd overall in this competition, with ateam that achieved 1.5 kg/day

At this year’s Beef Week open day, Tarwin Poll Herefords willhave on display their sale bulls sired, predominately sired by Wirruna Nolan, Tarcombe Homeland and AI sire Mawarra Terminator.

Next year’s crop of bull calves will also be on display with their mothers, these will include the first calves from Hunter Lakes Regal and AI bred sons from Kanimbla

Power Quest, Yavenvale Quantitative, Ravensdale Spark M037 and Injemira Fortune P239.

Stud sire, Hunters Lakes Regal R017 will be on display along with home bred sire, Tarwin Regal R014 (son of Wirruna Nolan.).

It is planned to also have unjoined weaned sale heifers on display as well.

Visitors are welcome to enjoy the hospitality of acup tea and alight lunch as well as to discuss the studs breeding program with the Meikle family.

[CAPTION]

Tarwin Poll Herefords

This year will be 75 years since the inception of the Tarwin Poll Hereford Stud at Meeniyan following the request of local agents for sons of the founding sire Studlea Playmate.

Over this time the Meikle family have seen many notable changes in the beef industry in Gippsland and beyond.

In the early days it was the show ring that was used to promote and compare their cattle locally when Poll Herefords were considered anovelty.

Now the stud is taking steps into the world of online selling in partnership with the Gippsland Performance Herefords group.

On the way the herd has moved into performance recording and DNA testing.

This is aperformance recorded herd, the cattle are regularly weighed and the results submitted to Breedplan for assessment.

Females accepted into the herd are DNA tested as are sires brought in and the Tarwin sale bulls.

Stud manager David Meikle says, “We are always trying to get the balance right between measuring the performance of our cattle and having them looking right for beef cattle.

As well as using the most appropriate

technologies available to us.

We recognise the need for our cattle to be structurally sound with eye appeal.”

The stud regularly enters the Lardner Steer trails in an effort to gain further insight in how their cattle perform.

The female herd is managed along commercial lines, with each breeding female required to produce acalf each year under paddock conditions.

Sire selection is undertaken with an eye on positive management traits such as calving ease.

This year will see sons of Wirruna Nolan, Tarcombe Homeland and Hunter Lakes Regal offered for sale.

All bulls have proven themselves as stalwart sires for the stud.

On display for the day willbeTarwin sale bulls for 2025, cows with bull calves at foot and heifers to be offered for sale.

Light refreshments will be available and the Meikle family welcome the opportunity to catch up with past clients and visitors new to the stud.

David Meikle comments “We enjoy the chance to get feedback from past clients and fellow beef producers as to their requirements as well as catching up with fellow breeders.”

Tarwin POLL HEREFORDS

Gippsland’s leading producers use Bowman Bulls

Exciting, industry-leading genetics, await potential buyers at the 2025 Bowman Performance Genetics Autumn Bull Sale.

As Gippsland’s largest seedstock provider, they continue to raisethe bar, with over 150 bulls sold annually.

Presenting 22 individual sire lines, producers will be spoilt for choice withthe latest genetics available, across Australia.

Blended with rock-solid and proven sires, this even draft of bullswill deliver more growth, calving ease and carcase attributes, with sound docility.

The first powerful sons in Gippsland of Sitz Resilient, Woodhill Comstock and Knowla So Right, will be sure to turn heads, injecting top of the breed $indexing values, muscle, doing ability and performance, into your herd.

Results from Bowman progeny to date have been impressive, withterrific customer satisfaction.

From market-topping sales, to premiums paid for reaching MSA gridline targets, Gippsland’s leading producers keep returning for the consistency,

breeding advice, and unwavering support.

Stud Principal Glenn Bowman, puts this down to multiple keyareas:

• The depth of the female herd, ensures the majority of male calves arebredto be successful sires.

• Unique positioning as the only herdin Gippsland with unmatched genotyping, wherebythe entireherdisanalysed for genetic performance and both parents areverified.

• Generations of cattlemanshipassessing structure, doing ability and lines of cattle that breed on.

• Access to the latest global genetics, including some of the first releases in Australia.

If you’relooking for the best available genetics this Autumn, visit Bowman PerformanceGenetics Beef Week Open Day,and on-property Bull Sale on Thursday 13th March, 2025.

For more information, visit www.bowmangenetics.com.

BOWMAN 38 SPECIAL T43 -Sold to G&RMaher of Stratford, Victoria from 2024 Spring Sale

Fernleigh Angus Wattlewood Angus

OnSaturday the 2nd of February, John and Fiona Glover are again looking forward to welcoming old and new friends and clients to the 2025 Wattlewood Angus Beef Week Open Day and Bull Sale Preview.

The Wattlewood team have been working towards preparing astrong line up of 35 bulls for visitors to view in preparation for the 2025 Wattlewood Angus Bull Sale on Friday 7th March at 12 noon.

After the closure of the VLE Pakenham sale yards, the Elders- Delaney and SEJ agents have come up with anew day and date to suit all parties with their clients in mind.

Once again, the bulls are naturally quiet, have been genotyped, semen tested and are Immune Ready compliant being P.I. Negative and having been vaccinated

with ALL the required vaccines (7in1, Pestigard, Vibrovax and Rhinogard), making them ‘ready to work’.

Fiona, an artificial insemination technician, jokes and says, “The bulls are frustrated at Wattlewood and are probably looking forward to the sale too and ending up with apaddock full of cows or heifers”.

Another highlight for the stud this coming sale, is the offering of ‘the pick of the pair’ where two top of the drop yearling heifers will be put up at the auction and all proceeds will go to The Biggest Morning Tea for Cancer Council Australia.

The Wattlewood Team will have the kettle hot with their good, old-fashioned hospitality and be ready to have achat about their genetics and their program with their visitors on the day.

OnSunday February 2nd, Fernleigh Angus will open its doors as part of their annual involvement in Beef Week.

The day offers an opportunity to inspect the line-up of yearling bulls available for sale by private treaty in 2025, in alow pressure and obligation free environment.

Key sire lines on display include Baldridge 38 Special, Dunoon Prime Minister, Sterling Pacific 904, Ben Nevis Metamorphic and Landfall Nobleman.

Fernleigh Stud Manager James Blyth said that “These sires have been selected for abalance of traits, but with particular emphasis on early growth, quiet disposition, and structural integrity.

We aim to breed cattle which excel on the fundamentals, and will stand the test of time.

That means breeding bulls which are highly fertile, durable, and suited to the conditions here in Gippsland.

Ithink the bulls on offer represent real value.

We want our clients to be in aposition to succeed, and to do that we need to offer aproduct which ticks all the boxes, but also one which won’t break the bank.

Also on display during the open day will be asignificant selection of the Fernleigh female herd”.

Mr Blyth commented that “The importance of the females in our program cannot be understated.

Quite often the bulls are the focus of the attention, so we really relish the opportunity to open up our herd and highlight the maternal quality from which our bulls have been bred”.

“For Fernleigh, since its inception in 1991, there has always been an importance on bringing in genetics which are tailored to the herd.

We look to bring in sires from complimentary herds around Australia, which we believe can really perform in Gippsland.

Iwould invite anyone whoisinterested, to come and see the bulls and the wider herd, because Ithink the cattle really do speak for themselves”.

For further information on the Beef Week open day or the Fernleigh Angus program, contact James Blyth on 0400 447 443, or follow Fernleigh Angus on Facebookand Instagram.

Leawood Angus

Leawood Angus are looking forward to inviting all cattle breeding enthusiasts to beef week day 6 Monday 3rd at Leawood, on farm at 1545 Princes Hwy Flynn to view their Autumn bull sale line up and discuss all things agriculture.

At Leawood their three key breeding objectives are consistency, longevity and profitability.

Consistency at Leawood is achieved by 81 years of breeding registered Angus cattle, through selectively breeding New Zealand based genetics that flourish in their Gippsland grass feed operations.

Their breeding desire hasn’t differed much over the three generations of management at Leawood Angus and this is reflected not only in the consistency you will see across their sale pens on sale day but also across their clients’ herds throughout Gippsland.

Their next two breeding goals go hand in hand if you get the first one longevity on the money then profitability is achieved. Longevity is crucial in the agriculture

industry from everything from Utes, stock yards to pastures.

And your genetics are no different.

The most profitable animals on your farm are most likely the older structurally sound low maintenance cows 13 maybe 15 years old that calved down at 2years old and haven’t missed acalve since.

Just like the 1997 75 Series Landcruiser. This is Leawood’s take on longevity in cattle, this is reflected in their bulls with the benefit going to their clients who can expect amore extended working life out of aLeawood Angus bull giving maximum profitability.

Leawood’s autumn sale on the 7th of April at 1.00pm will consist of 50, 18mth old bulls.

Featuring leading New Zealand sires and ever robust Leawood sires.

New stand out Ai sire to Leawood this sale is Cricklewood Pandemic P056, a high-capacity consistent bull that packs extra carcass into his progeny. They are really pleased to be able to add the stylish thick set Pandemic to their bull line up.

AFFORDABLE

VFF partnershipfor safer farms

THE Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has partnered with aleading Australian farmsafetysoftwaredeveloper,AirAgri,to fast-track farmers access to new technology to enhance on-farmsafety.

The VFF Vice President,Danyel Cucinotta,said the partnership aims to reduce the overrepresentation of onfarminjury and death through the use of innovative technology.

“Farmers make up 14 per cent of all workplacefatalities, despiteemploying only two per cent of working Victorians. That’s tragicallysomeone’s dad, mother, family friend or loved one,” she said.

“We’recommitted to ensuring our loved ones come home at the end of the day and one of the ways to do that is to harness

the benefits of cutting-edge,on-farm technology.

“Oneofthe biggestbenefitsofthis technology is the ability for farmers to receive real-time alerts if something goes wrong. We sometimes work in remote areas for hours on end and if something goes wrong, time becomes critical."

As part of the collaboration, VFF members gain access to heavily discounted tools, including: high-resolution digital farmmaps enabling precise monitoring and management of farmoperations; property-specificweatherinsights that provide accurate, property specific weather forecasts to help farmers make informed decisions; and automated loneworker monitoring, ensuring the safety

of individuals working in remote and isolated environments through real-time monitoring and alerts.

AirAgri Chief Executive, James Diamond, said the partnership signals a major step forwardinensuring the safety of Victorian farmers.

“Our partnership with the VFF marks asignificant milestone in our journey to enhance farmsafety. We arecommitted to providing innovative solutions that protect farmers and their families and teams, and we look forwardtoworking closely with the VFF to achieve this goal,” Mr Diamond said.

Moreinformation regarding this partnership and moreVFF Memberoffers can be found on the VFF website.

‘‘ ‘‘

Farmers makeup14 per cent of all workplace fatalities, despite employing only two per cent of working Victorians. That’stragically someone’s dad,mother, family friend or loved one.

Danyel

Cucinotta VFF Vice President

Thebenefits of ‘bee-ing’ protective

FARMERSacross Australiaare taking steps to protect bees and other pollinators thankstoaprogram supporting farmers in implementing bee-friendly practices.

In 2021, the Wheen Bee Foundation introduced Bee Friendly Farming in Australia,encouragingfarmers and land managers to adopt simple, science-backed practices to enhance pollinator health on their properties.

Australian agricultureishighly dependent on bees and other pollinators, with at least 53 crops depending to some degree on bees for pollination.

WheenBee Foundation’s chief executive, Fiona Chambers, says the Bee Friendly Farming program works with land managers to enhance both pollinator health and the potential for their land.

“Protecting bees and other pollinators is not justabout supporting insects, it’s good for business,” Ms Chambers said.

The almond industry, which relies on bees for 100 per cent of its production, was quick to embrace the program.

Recently, as threats to bees have increased in Australia, attention has shifted to other agricultural sectors that depend on pollinators including avocados, apples, pears, berries, oilseeds, vegetable seeds, and macadamias, all of which are encouraged to adopt bee-friendly practices.

Macadamia FarmManagement is one of Australia’s largest macadamia farming organisations,managing5,000 hectares of macadamia orchards across over60 properties throughout Queensland.

For Macadamia FarmManagement horticulturist, Dr Chris Cannizzaro, joining the Farming Program was an obvious decision.

“Trees go hand-in-hand with bees,” Dr Cannizzarosaid.

“Most of my research has been centred around the interactions between bees and

trees, and it’s been exciting to apply my research background to newchallenges in macadamia pollination, crop protection and cultivation.”

One of MFM’sproperties is thePHC PropertyTrust farmat Gin Gin in Queensland’sBundaberg region.The orchardcovers about 350 hectares, with morethan 100,000 macadamia trees ranging from two to five years old. Pollination takes placefromSeptember throughto October

“Each year we bring in about two to five honey bee hives per hectare,” Dr Cannizzaro says. “It’s normally about two hivesper hectarefor the younger trees, but as they mature, they put on moreflowers and requiremorebees for better pollination.”

MFM also incorporates its own managed native stingless bee hives to boost pollination. And then there’s the feral honey bees and native bees that areinabundance on

the farmdue to careful integrated pest management.

This diversified approach to pollination is part of Dr Cannizzaro’s goal to improve yield and productivity and reduce pollination risks.

Ms Chamberssaid BeeFriendlyFarming Certification was asimple way to inform beekeepers that,asacertified Bee Friendly Farm, the farmmanagement team places apriority on bees.

Since Bee Friendly Farming launched in2021, morethan 36,000hectares of farmland have been certified and the program aims to increase the area of certified farmland nationally to 100,000hectares by mid 2025.

To learn moreabout the Bee Friendly Farming program visit beefriendlyfarming. org.au. Also wheenbeefoundation.org.au

Stagg honoured for AV commitment

HEYFIELD Ambulance Auxiliary President, Hugh Stagg’s unwavering dedication has earned him aspot on the Victorian Health Volunteer Honour Roll.

Mr Staggbegan his involvement with Ambulance Victoria (AV) as an Ambulance Community Officer(ACO)between 1981 and 1986,beforejoining the Heyfield Ambulance Auxiliary committee.

In 1991, Mr Stagg became the Ambulance Auxiliary’s Vice President and thentook over the top job the following year AV Auxiliaries have aproud history that dates back morethan 100 years and are comprised of volunteers who play avital role in raising money for and advocating on behalfoftheir local ambulance branch. Thereare 40 AV Auxiliariesacross the state.

Volunteering is away of life for Mr Stagg, who has also spent 44 years involved with the CFA.

The community of Heyfield and surrounding townships have flourished from Mr Stagg’s experience, forethought, knowledge, leadership and management.

He has been involvedinmajor projects that led to the expansion of facilities and the housing of specialisedvehicles, such as aretrieval vehicle to service wilderness regions for the benefit of locals and tourists.

“Thebiggest highlight is that the East Gippsland Ambulance Service built anew ambulance branch in Heyfield and we added to that considerably,” Mr Stagg said.

Mr Stagg was inducted onto the honour roll at the 2024 VictorianPublicHealthcare

Awards in MelbourneonTuesday, November 19 2024.

“I justenjoy whatI’m doing and try do my best for everyone in Heyfield,” he said.

“I’mnot interested in football,I’m less interested in cricket, Ibelong to no other organisations, but Ido my bit through AV

“I hope Ican keep going.”

AV Director Regional &Clinical Operations Gippsland, Ross Salathiel said volunteers like Mr Stagg in AV Auxiliaries make ahuge difference.

“The dedication of volunteers like Hugh is essential for AV to be able to provide (the) bestcaretoour communities, especially in regional Victoria,” he said.

“The fundraisingand community engagement enabled by our auxiliaries ensures

that our paramedics and First Responders have the equipment and amenities they need to be able to do their essential work.

“Thankyou,Hugh,for morethan 40 years ofsupporting AV in the Heyfield community.”

The Victorian Health VolunteerHonour Roll celebrates volunteers with 30 or more years of service and recognises their dedication to the healthcaresector and the people of Victoria.

David Pollard,HarryBrindley ASM, Garry Larmour,and Gordon Risk from the Charlton and DistrictAmbulance Auxiliary, and Graeme Legge AM from the Emerald and District Ambulance Auxiliary werealso inducted onto the honour roll.

Residentialorfarmland: findingthe balance

From Page 1

THE report saiditwas nowdifficultto assesswhetheran appropriate balance was being struck between maintaining adequate farmland and providing land for residential development.

“Data describing the extent and loss of farmland,and the impactthat this is having on the agricultural sector,isneeded to tally these objectives,” the committee said.

The report pointedout that when the sales value of farmland becomes higher than its value under agricultural production, this can drive its conversion to residential uses.

“This is because the incomefarmers derive from cultivating the land is insufficient to recoup the cost of the land or cover mortgagerepayments. Typically, farmland converted to residential uses is permanently lost,” the report said.

The report quoted Andrew Holman, a dairy farmerbased in South Gippsland who shared arecent experience to illustrate this point at apublic hearing in Morwell.

“Just900 metres down the road,there was afarmthat came up for sale and then we tried to buy it -163 acres. It went for $2.13 million," he was quoted.

"It is capable of producing about, say, 50 bullocks ayear on it, and on abullock you will make about $700. So, you can do the numbers andgo, ‘Well, there’s $35,000 worth of income’.

"Bythe time you take the interest bill out of it and then the rates and all the rest of it, it is not aviable option to buy...this particular placehas been boughtbysomebody who has abusiness in Melbourne, and they have been able to say, ‘Well, this is my little country property’.”

Akey committee demandwas forthe state government to consider working with the agriculturesectortodesign and trial a shared equity fund which would support farmers to buy farmland -a scheme modelled on the Victorian Homebuyers Fund.

“The fund should support experienced farmers to establish anew farmorextend an existingfarmbusiness. It should be available in rural, regional and peri-urban areas. This should not include‘hobby’or ‘lifestyle’ farmers,” thereport said.

The state government should promote long-termleasing arrangements for farmland, including farm-sharesand lease-to-buy arrangements.

“This should include the development of template lease arrangements, consideration of financial incentives to promote uptake, and exploration of mechanism to promote leasing opportunities. This should be informed by international approaches to farmland leasing.”

The report’sother recommendations included:

 Financial incentives to adapt new technologies that expand food

production or enhance climate resilience;

 Ag Victoria should monitor the distribution of livestock exchanges across the state and guardagainst consolidation of the sector,and work with the Victorian Farmers Federation, Prime Safe and commercial abattoirs to negotiate small producers’ ongoing access to kill facilities in the shortto-medium term. Mr Cameron said farmers had raised this issue with him, as it cost moretosend animals to distant abattoirs and the travelling put morestrain on the animals;

 The state government to work with Trust for Natureand the agriculture sector to develop and implement an agricultural pilot program to cover a variety of farms. The covenants should be practical, not overly prescriptive

and flexible enough to accommodate changing farming practices;

 Ag Victoria in its programs to acknowledge the importance of smallto-medium farms to food supply;

 The government should encourage local governments to apply differential rates to farmland, taking into account the impact of inappropriately high rates on agriculturebusinesses;

 The government should work with the Municipal Association of Victoria to enhance the professional development available to all peri-urban, rural and regional local governments; and,

 The government should amend the planning framework to require local government to requirelocal government planning approval to build asmall second dwelling on aresidential property within afarming zone, rural activity zone, rural conservation zone and green wedge zone.

The VFF said several ofits key recommendations were endorsed by the inquiry. These included awhole-of-government risk assessment and co-ordinated food security plan, agricultural land mapping and strategic planning, fit-for-purpose planning to support the ongoing use of farmland, and training and guidance for planners.

The VFF President, Emma Germano, said the inquiry sent the Victorian Parliament aclear message that agricultureand food security werepriorities for the state.

“From just 1.5 per cent of Australia’s landmass, Victorian farmers contribute morethanaquarter of the nation’s food and fibreexports. That’s anenormous economic and employment driver and it must be protected,” she said.

“Once you lose prime agricultural land, it’s gone forever.We’llbeworking to ensure these recommendations become areality.”

Federationreinventing food systems

THE NationalFarmers’ Federation (NFF) has welcomed anew report that places farmers at the centreofare-invented food system.

The AustralianFoodand Agriculture Taskforce last month handed down areport that warns the nation’s food system is at atipping point.

The NFF ChiefExecutive, Tony Mahar who participated in thetaskforce, reiterated the report’s findings that farmers must be supported in order to shoreupAustralia’s agricultural potential.

“This report shows Australian agriculture is at risk of losing its competitive edge unless anumber of changesare made,” Mr Mahar said.

“Issues likeincreased frequency and severity of climate events, trade tensions, shiftinggeopolitical environments,and global marketsevolving at different speeds, areall threatening Australia’s food system."

Mr Mahar saidthe taskforcehad recommendeda number of actions to grow

agriculture’s potential,following the expert lead of Australia’s farmers.

“It’s great to see awell-researched report back-up whatwealready know about Australian ag: It hashugepotential, and with the right support, can be a$100 billion industry by 2030,” he said.

The taskforcechair,Markvan Dyck, said 44 per cent of farmers believed Australia was losing its competitive edge on the global stage.

“When it comes to implementing climatesmart practices, our farmers areworld leaders, but they need moresupport to go furtherand really bolster the climate resilience of their farms,” he said.

The Land of Plenty:Transforming Australia intoaFood Superpower report lists three areas that arekey to unlocking agriculture's potential:

-Climate-smart farming -transition financing, tax incentives, standardised measurement/reporting frameworkand central data exchange.

-Sovereign supply chains - national food system strategy,scalingmanufacturing and regional precincts; and, -Global markets and competitive positioning -diversifyingexportsintoIPand agtech, communication tools to strengthen global positioning.

The report says transforming acomplex and interconnected food system at pace and at scale requires close coordination across the value chain, including effective public and private collaboration.

Australia’s current food system is highly fragmented. At present, thereisnooverarchingbodytounify these entities,nor is there acommon strategic ambition that could be leveraged to channel efforts and funding to priority areas to maximise impact, the report says.

Australia could learn from leading countries around the world including New Zealand, the Netherlands and Denmark, where coordinatedapproaches have positioned these nations as leading food

innovators.These countries have set up public-private partnership (PPP).

Leadershipconstructsto facilitate collaboration and coordination around critical topics and investments. Establishing an Australian Food SystemCoordinating body should be afirst step to enabling action today and into the future, the report says.

Mr Mahar said it was crucial that all entities along the food supply chain worked together to achieve these goals.

“Global markets areevolving at arapid pace, and Australia needs to take action so we arenot left behind,” he said.

“Our farmers areleading the charge embracingclimate-smart farming techniques and welcoming new practices to drive down emissions.

“This report shows if an extra 20 per cent of farmers adopt climate-smart practices, they will reap the reward with a22per cent increase in their bottom line and tap into new income streams from carbon markets. It’s a no brainer to back this opportunity."

Labor Member for Bass, Jordan Crugnale also satonthe committee. Photos: Contributed

Nationals Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron is Deputy Chair of the Legislative Assembly Environment and Planning Committee looking into securing the state’s food supply

CMA recognises proactive initiatives

Katrina BRANDON

THE Catchment Management Authority (CMA) has recognised five individuals and groups for their efforts to maintain and improve Gippsland land quality.

The celebrated individuals and groups at the ‘Lyrebird awards’ were: The BassCoast LandcareNetwork,The Gippsland Intrepid LandcareGroup, Bryan Watterson,John Topp,Kate Mirams and Peter Neaves.

The awards, made last year, marked their sixth year.Speakers at theevent included the West Gippsland CMA Boardchair Mikaela Power; West Gippsland CMA ChiefExecutive,Martin Fuller,and avideo presentation from the state waterMinister and Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing.

“Lyrebirds represent the hope that the work we (West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority as well as otherenvironmental groups) do for their waterways will securetheir returnand agreater number of them inthe future,” Ms Shing said.

All three speakers recognised the work the five individuals and groups had done over time.

The Bass Coast Landcare Network began in 2004 and has planted morethanfive million trees since its recognition. The network aims to achieve positive landscape-scale change.

The network also has an invasive speciesteam,workcrew, and nursery, wherevolunteers come in each week to assist in producing 160,000 plants each year.Since 2004, the team has grown from six to 25, planting 80,000 plants per year to 450,000.

Other tasks includeworking with farmers on sustainable agricultureactivities, hosting morethan 40 community and educational activities and 30 community planting days each year Followingthe dedication of the

Bass Coast LandcareNetwork, Bryan Wattersonremovedall willows, fencedoff the area, and planted over 98 per cent of the Agnes River's length. Mr Watterson expressed that by doing his work, he hopes the habitat can be restored to apoint where he can see lyrebirds returning to the area.

Mr Watterson is amember of Corner Inlet Landcareand is very passionate aboutwhathedoes.

He has supervised the plantingof 70,000 trees on his property alone and inspiredmanyneighbours and landholders to join, leading to hundreds of thousands of trees planted in the gullies of the Strzelecki Ranges.

Continuing further into the community, Mr Watterson organises monthlycommunityplantings and brings together schoolkids, new lifestyle property owners,and traditional dairy farmers.

Gippsland Intrepid Landcare was awarded for their work aimed at young people wanting to work within the environment.

The group was formed in 2017 with 60 current members and has held 20 events attended by more than 500 people.

The group’s activitiescombine friendship, adventure and outdoors with environmentalwork and include kayaking trips to map willows, beach-themed events to removesea spurge and hiking expeditions to monitor deer

The LyrebirdAwards also highlighted the Plant and Dance events that the Gippsland Intrepid Landcareput on, funded by Victorian Landcaregrants. During Plant and Dance, thousands of trees wereplanted on sites, followed by adance party.

Hailing from Newry, Kate Mirams and Peter Neaves were also awarded for their work.

In 2019, Ms Miramsand Mr Neaves laser graded their top paddock, which unfortunately blew dust over Newry which triggered them to change their ways.

The couple began working with their local West Gippsland CMA and AgricultureVictoria representatives torepairthe soil on their 330-acredairy farm.

As Ms Mirams explained when talking to Gippsland Farmer: “A farmisanecological being. When we look through an ecology lens, we aim to create the conditions we want ratherthanhaving to

intervene to kill what we don’t want.”

She further explained that the pairs pastureconsumption had remained at 12 tonnes despite using only 20 kilograms of nitrogen per hectare.

The couple said they weredetermined to sharewhat they learned with other farmers, hosting field days on their farmand in Newry Hall with Maffra and Districts Landcare.

“I wantthe wholefoodsystem to change so the quality of food is exceptional,sowe’ll eliminate alot of diseases, so the ecosystem is thriving, and we help everyone through better qualityfood grown withina symbioticrelationship with the soil,” Ms Mirrams said.

Lastbut not least,JohnTopp was recognised.

Mr Topp is anative plant guru and nurseryman who has shared his love and knowledge of native plants and conversation for over 50 years. He has played asignificantrole in protecting, conserving and restoring crucial native vegetation within the West Gippsland catchment through his nursery.

Mr Topp owned and operated

Gippsland Indigenous Plants -a specialist native plant nursery in Valencia Creek that supplied morethan130 different species of local plants. He travelled across Gippsland collecting seeds from the bush to propagate at his nursery.

Mr Topp also shares his knowledgewith communitygroups, schoolchildren,and landcarers at workshops, naturewalks, and planting events.

Mr Topp has many accolades for his work.

One includes the 2015Pride of Australia Environment Award for his expedition to the Amazon Jungle as aconservation volunteer when he was 71-years-old. Now retired from the nursery, his legacy and environmental contribution continue through his involvement with the Maffra and District LandcareNetwork.

Mr Fuller mentioned that there weremany others, such as the five celebrated onthe day, who continued the work and created further opportunities for others.

BryanWatterson of Corner InletLandcarewas one of five in this year’s LyrebirdAwardstobe honoured due to his work fencing and planting 98 per cent of the length of Agnes River

Photos: Katrina Brandon unless stated

Newry’s Kate Mirams and PeterNeaves received the LyrebirdAward for their proactive regen-farming techniques. Photograph supplied

Local environmental groups committed to the futureprosperity of Gippsland wererecognised at theCatchment Management Authority LyrebirdAwards.

Bass Coast LandcareNetwork’s David Sutton, KenConnor,DaveBateman,Paul Spiers and Linda Bowden. Bass Coast Landcarehas planted morethanfive million trees in the last 20 years.

The Gippsland Intrepid Landcaregroup’s Claire Jobling, Elsa Burnell, and Kaitlyn Jobling aretaking it to all ages to protect the region’s environment

FIERCE FIRE SEASON

WITHthe CSIROwarningofwhat looks like apotentiallycatastrophicfireseason, it’sobvious that preparationsare vital Australian Pump Industrieshas spentthe last30years working hard to develop portablefirepumps that particularly suit Australia’s conditions

The result is acontinuingprocessof developing pumps ranging from Ultralites weighing only 5kilos to serious twin impeller pumps with truly amazing capabilities. Across thecountry,firefighting authorities arewarning of more disastrous bushfires not onlytaking their toll in countryareas but,alsoonthe outskirts of major cities, townsand villagesacross Australia.

WHATCREATES A BUSHFIRE?

PROFESSOR of Pyrogeographyand Fire Science, DavidBowman saysittakes fuel, heat and wind to create truly disastrous fires.

To quote theprofessor, “thereisa sense of denialwith many folkonly realising the dangerwhentheysmell smokeand see embers flying through theair

By then it’s toolate to make adecision about staying or protecting property

FIGHT OR FLIGHT?

THE realityis that somehomes,due to theirlocation, construction anddesign,are simply notsafeenough to defend Australian Pump warn theresponsibility is withthe homeowner to make sure they are prepared and follow the instructions of the firefighting authorities

Those authorities worktogether closely to makesurepeople arewarned adequately

Theyspend hugeamounts of money on television advertising just to make sure the population is awareofthe dangers.

GET GOOD ADVICE

AUSSIE Pumps ChiefEngineer,John Hales, recommendstakinga scaled drawingofyour property to an authorised Aussie Pumps distributor

Theywilladvise whatyou needfor an external sprinkler andfireprotection system

Manyofthemdoinstallationsaswell

NEW FIRE DANGER RATINGS

FIREauthorities around thecountry are promotinganawareness of thenew fire danger ratings.

If you decidetostay anddefend as part of your survivalplan, your property mustbe suitably prepared.

Therequiredplanning and preparation includes the installation of reliable equipment!

As aguide to making that critical decision of fightorflight, take note of thenew ratings and chart.

On days of catastrophic fire danger,even well preparedhomes may not survive.

Leaving early is the safest optionunder these conditions.

WHATABOUT PUMPS?

THAT’S whereAustralian Pump come into their own.

30 years agothe companystartedwith

follows; n Willthe pump deliverenoughpressure and flow to feed thesprinklersand a couple of firehoses?

n Willitdraw waterfroma dameven when thewater level drops?

n Will thepump prime fast?

That’s whereAussieQPpumps,“Quick Prime” comein.

TheAussie FireChief, theproductleader, will lift water through averticalof7.6 metres! That’s significantlymorethan its competitors.

n Will it startfirsttime everytime?

“That’swhy we choose Hondapetrol engines becausethey aresoreliable, unless they’reona slope whenthe oilalert kicks in, they will work perfectlyunder the most difficultconditions.

We choose Honda becauseweknow third worldcopy engines areoften unreliable. For afirepump to have asub-standard engine is asking for trouble!” said Hales

theclear mission of producing products that werebetter than those currently available.

The resultwas a range of self-priming centrifugal fire pumpsthatare unique to Australiaand offer significantly better performance andfeatures.

“Weput more material into our pumps to make abigger bowl and bigger impeller”, saidHales

“That bigger bowlgivesmorevolume and the impeller,a largerdiameterthan the old major brands, Davey and Onga, givesus morepressureaswell.

Thekey to pump design is allabout balancebetween performance and available horsepower.”

Working withHonda engineers, Hales and theAussie Pump engineeringteam have introduced pumpswhich produce more flow andwaterthancompetitors, butdon’t overload the Honda enginethatdrives them.

“Match testing with Hondaengineers and gettingthatperfect balance between performanceand horsepower is critical in afire”,saidHales “We’veachievedthat not justinthe lightweight portable fire pumps like the AussieFireChief, but in our biggerpumps as well”.

CHOOSE THE PUMP WISELY

ONCE youhavea water source, theaction now is for thehomeowner to getequipped with areliablepump, powered by a reliableengineand getthe bestpossible combination of pressure andflow.

Questionsthatneedtobeasked areas

THEAUSSIE PUMP NETWORK

AUSTRALIANPump Industrieshas a networkAustraliawideand more recently internationally as well, that appreciates theperformance andquality andvalue for money of theproduct range.

ShipmentstoIndonesia, Canada,and Africa areaneveryday occurrence forAustralian Pump as this company continues to expand its capabilities to provide very real climatechange support, whether it’s floods,fires or drought “Werelate to thepeopleonthe landbut aremoreand more consciousofthe need forprotecting people on theoutskirts of keycities”, saidHales “If you’reinterestedinprotecting your property, go see yourlocal AussiePump distributor and pick up acopyofa free Bushfire Survival Guide. It is partofAussie’sprogram to educate, andhelp prepare forwhatlookslikea wickedfireseason.”

ASALUTE TO THE VOLUNTEERS

THE team at AustralianPump Industries have ahugerespectfor thevolunteer firefighters around Australia. Those volunteerbrigades arequite unique in thesense that they have theskills andknowledgeoftrue professionalsbut give theirtimeand risktheirlives, free of charge to help protect their communities. They deserve our respectand thanks. Further information on theabove is available from AustralianPump Industries or your localauthorised dealer.

Volunteer firefighters all over the country give up their valuable time and risk their lives to help others

Aussie producestens of thousandsof Bushfire Survival guidesfreeofchargeto keep homeowners safe.

Anotherproduction lineofAussiefirepumps powered by Honda!

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From Windy Hill to Willow Grove

Blake METCALF-HOLT

THElongjourney tosuccess startswith the first move.

As Hill End Football-Netball Club makes the slow climb back to the top of the Mid Gippsland Football-Netball Leaguemountain, the Rovers announced theirnew senior coach for 2025 with the arrival of Adrian Burns.

Both playing and coaching, Burns has a wealth of football experience at his fingertips

club legend, Darren Kelly.

Photo: Supplied

with time spent across Victoria and in New South Wales including asix-year AFL stint in the early 1990s with Essendonand St Kilda.

While localclubsusuallycomeabout coach or player signings outside of the region forged from some sort of relationship or personal interaction,Hill End came about Burns from adifferent method.

Burns wasidentified after theRovers discovered his intentions to coach from Footy Recruits -anAustralian Rules recruiting platformthat connects clubs with potential players and coaches.

Abletoeasily get incontact usingthis tool, after conversationsdiscussing their developing list, Burns was keen to take the job on.

"The club contactedme, Ithoughtwell, I'd like to coachagainand they've given me the opportunity, so Ithought I'd have acrack at it," he said.

"I love my footy and Ihaven't coached senior football for awhile… they've (Hill End) got some good young players coming up through thereand it would be good to work with them."

Accustomed to theslogsthatcan take place and the unorthodox ovals, none more so than at Willow Grove Recreation Reserve, Burns has somegrasp withpriortime spent as playing-coach at Sale in the Gippsland League.

Burns coached the Magpies in 2002 and 2003, taking themtoapreliminaryfinal in the latter

He said any ideas of agame style will have to wait until he finds his feet at the Rovers.

"Oncewestarttraining and get intoit (and) Iget to know them, we'll work out what our goals are," Burns said.

Burns was drafted to Essendon in 1988 andentered during asuccessful period for theBombers, rarely not seen at the top of the ladder

Playinginanight premiership and reserves premiership for Essendon, he rubbed shoulderswith some of the best players seeninthe game's modernhistory.

"I got to play with some pretty champion footballers,sothatwas abig highlight, when Iwas younger anyway," he said.

Burns kicked two goalsinthe 1990 Foster's Cup Grand Final (preseason flag) againstNorth Melbourne andthe 1992 reservesflag produced the early workings of the following year's Baby Bomberspremiership run with James Hird, Dustin Fletcher and Joe Misiti to name but afew in the seconds line-up.

Selected for his first game against Geelong in Round 51990, Burns played eight matches for Essendon, includingthe semi-final loss to Collingwood -thatyear's eventual premier

His semi-final was noted for the collision with Collingwood playerand future St Kilda coach Alan Richardson, which resulted in Richardson missing the Magpies droughtbreaking premiership.

"I don't think therewas much in it, maybe Alan Richardson was in the wrong spot at the wrong time," he said.

"Bit disappointing for him, but that's the way footy goes."

Eastham roomingwith Suns skip

Blake METCALF-HOLT

HEYFIELD'S Asher Eastham has gone from the vast countryside of Gippsland tosharinga roof with GoldCoast Suns

Captain Touk Miller

The surprise pickupduring the AFL Rookie Draft (taken at pick 17), Eastham was thrusted up north immediately and hasalready begun his preseason duties while being welcomed into the home of the Suns premier midfielder

"I've got my own little sanctuary- two big glass sliding doors, alittle garden out the front, my own ensuite… I'm loving it," Eastham told the Herald Sun

Beforebeinginformed by Gold Coast recruiting boss Kal Burns their intention to take him, Eastham was just minutes away from heading offtohis school graduation. He couldn't have asked for abetterplayer to be under the wing of -Miller is lauded for his professionalism and highwork ethic that has placed him high in the Brownlow vote count year-after-year

"Touk has been so good for me," Eastham said.

"He's probably one of the most professional players in the league, so living with him and learning offhim has been great."

Eastham joins quite thelocal contingent withthe Sunsalreadysporting the likes of Moe's Bailey Humphrey, Morwell's Ben Ainsworth, FishCreek and former Moe player SamFlanders as well as Maffra's Max Knobelwho was also pickedupby Gold Coast during the Rookie Draft from Fremantle.

ST KILDA aretaking acautious approach to recent first round draftee and Warragul recruit Alix Tauru, who has been dealing withabackstress fracturesustained at the end of his time at Gippsland Power

It was discovered during his AFL Draft Combine visit in October,but that didn't stop theSaintstakingTauru withtheir 10th pick in this year's AFL Draft.

While not requiring surgery, Tauru is not expectedtoparticipate in full training sessions until at least February while recovering from the injury.

THE local injury plague continues with Melbourneannouncing that Leongatha's XavierLindsaywon'treturntotraining until the New Year

It was discovered Lindsay was suffering from aPCL ailment that had been lingering since August when playing for Gippsland Power

The number 11 pick and Morrish Medallist

(Coates Talent League best-and-fairest) completed arunningsession with senior players Clayton Oliver and Bailey Fritsch, but will not returntofull-contact with the Demons until after the Christmas break.

LindsayisjoinedalongsideMorwell's Ricky Mentha atthe Demonsineach of their debut seasons.

Burns struggled with injury through the next couple of seasons beforehelanded at Moorabbin, again playing with some of the stars of the era headlined by all-time AFL leading goal kicker Tony Lockett.

"Played with PluggaLockett, Robert Harvey, Nathan Burke, Nicky Winmar and Rod Keogh, blokes like that… so Isupposed I've been real lucky in that manner to have played with so many champion footballers," he said.

Schoolnetty champsare on theway

Blake METCALF-HOLT

NETBALL Victoria's2025School Championships have been announced for August and September next year, taking place across nine locations, including Traralgon.

The School Championships is one of the largest netballtournaments in Australia.

In 2024,morethan450 teams wereentered from Moama to Sale to Casterton,bringing in over 4600 players, officials and umpires to the event both regionally and in metroMelbourne. Bendigo, Frankston, Geelong, Hamilton, Kilsyth,Knox, Melton and the State Netball CentreinParkville make up the other eight spots hosting the preliminary roundsofthe competition next year played in around robin format. Four divisions make up the primary andsecondary schoolevent including Primary (Years 5and 6), Junior (Years 7and 8), Intermediate (Years 9and 10) and Senior (Years 11 and 12) with the finals played at the State Netball Centre. The School Championships has attracted many high-profile coaches and former professional players as coaches and officialsover the years, including Carol Cathcart (Byers), Jacinta Todd, Jane Searle, Karen Worland, Kate Upton, Kaylia Stanton,Kim Borger,Kristy Keppich-Birrell, Sharni Norder (Layton), Shelley O'Donnell, Susan Meaney and Tegan Philip.

Netball Victoria's General Manager of Community, Abbey Misso spoke about the event being the largest participation event on their calendar "Netball is imbedded in so many sports programs in schools across thestateand the country, so by coming together for the School Championships, students areable to not only put their skills to practice but strive for being named the best in the state," she said.

Traralgon will host preliminary games at Agnes Brereton Reserve on Thursday, August 1, 2025.

Hill End Football-Netball Club has appointed former AFL player Adrian Burns (left) as their next senior coach. Welcoming the appointment is Hill End official and

Heyfield’s Asher Eastham is bunking with Gold Coast Suns Captain Touk Miller in his first months up north. Photo: Supplied

Tyers tanacity comes to thefore

Blake METCALF-HOLT

SPORTScommentator and former Tyers cricketerMarkHowardsuffered amost unusual injury days beforethe opening of the second test between Australian and India on Friday, December 6.

The popular podcast host and Fox Cricket broadcaster was sent to hospitalafter aball from retired Australian fastbowlerBrett Lee saw the bail of the wicket “impaled” in his head during apromotional video shoot. Howardwas taken to the nearest emergency room and to his credit, returned to finish filming and fronted coverage for Day 1ofthe second test just 48 hours latersporting some medical tape stitching the gash together on his forehead.

Making his way across to Adelaide from Sydney, Howardsaid he nursed quite the headache but was grateful the bail didn’t strike his eye.

“It was oneinamilliontohappen,” Howardtothe Herald Sun.

“I’m glad it didn’t hit me in the eye. (Lee) was very concerned. Therewas blood everywhereand then therewas adiscussion, ‘no, no, definitely no ambulance’, but therewas ahospital literally 200 metres up the road.

“With blood pouring out of my head,there

ANEW state government program is backing morecommunity sport in regional Victoria.

Minister for Community SportRos Spence has announced morethan $1 million in grants fromthe Strengthening Regional Community Sport program will go to seven organisationstodeliverprograms in regional Victoria.

“Grassroots clubs and competitions are the heart ofregional communities, and these grants arehelping organisations expand their programs and get morepeople involved in sport and recreation,” Spence said.

was about four camerasthere in 4K as therealways is on Fox shoots, so Binga was pretty happy to show me the replay within about aminute of it happening.

“I didn’trealise but Imanagedtotake the ball in the gloves which Iwas happy about.”

The man to bowl the blow said “in all my years playing cricket at aprofessional level, I’ve never seen abail travel that quick or that fast.”

Lee famously hit controversial UK TV host Piers Morgan in a2013 televised net sessionatthe MCG, andbroke Brendon McCullum’s nose during aBig Bash game in 2011.

It’s safe to say many morewereconcerned this time around for the luckless yet much beloved face of The Howie Games more so than Morgan.

Howardmoved to Tyers as a14-yearold in 1986, after his dad landed the job of generalmanager atAustralianPaper Maryvale.

He stayed in the smallGippsland town until 1991 beforemoving away to study and travel.

He was childhoodmateswith Heyfield comedianWil Anderson, whohas also become afeatureinnational media.

Helping hand for clubs

“Regional sport is as popular as ever and we’re making surelocalclubshavethe coaches, volunteersand administrators they need to grow and thrive.”

Grant recipientsinclude Badminton Victoria,which has received $170,000 to increase participation and make the sport more inclusive acrosssevenareas in regional Victoria, with afocus on communities who may not have taken part in the sport before.

A$130,000 grant will support AusTriathlonVictoria to create moretriathlonopportunities in regional Victoria, includingfor First Nationspeople and people with disability.

A$230,000 boost will help Life Saving Victoria partner with Gippsland based organisations.

Strengthening Regional Community Sport is designed to helpbring organisations, clubs,leagues and associations in regional

Victoriatogether to workontailored localisedprojectsthat remove barriers, create opportunities, support volunteers and increase participation.

The program is part of the state government’s$60 millionRegional Community Sport Development Fund.

Supporting the development of ahighly skilled sportworkforce is akey objective of Active Victoria 2022-2026 -astrategic framework for sport and active recreation in Victoria.

For moreinformation on the grants and to view the full list of recipients, visit sport vic.gov.au.

Sports broadcaster and former Tyers resident Mark Howardwas dealt abrutal bail to the dome by former Australian fast bowler BrettLee. Photo: FOX Sports