Your Farm Magazine 2018 Edition

FARM YOUR

S P R I N G

The drought has well and truly taken hold of the Monaro, with almost all farmers bringing in supplementary feed for their stock over the last few months.

The seasonal outlook does not indicate any relief, with the dry conditions looking to continue throughout spring and beyond.

This issue of Your Farm outlines the implications of the drought for our local farmers, with information about the NSW Drought Relief

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Package options inside.

Despite the poor conditions, the wool market remains strong, which is good for the local ram studs who will be holding their annual sales over the coming weeks.

See inside for the details of all the sales and what each stud has to offer.

In this issue of Your Farm, you will also find updates on pest control, animal health, financial advice, bush fire preparation and native

vegetation updates.

With fodder being delivered to farms in the area, biosecurity is an important consideration to make, and inside you will find all the information you need to protect your farm.

We have also featured some great photographs taken by Hugh Platts of Landmark Bombala/Delegate using a drone, including the image above, capturing just how dry the Monaro is at the moment.

James Moore with the 127kg feral pig caught at ‘Spring Plain’ recently.

Monaro Ram Sale Thursday 25th October 150 Merino & Hazeldean Cooma Commencing 1pm

Poll Merino Rams More Wool More $$$ Featuring sons of Hazeldean Hugh, Australia’s leading sire for MP+, FP+ and DP+ indexes

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“Every winter they come out of the Murrumbidgee area, it’s an ongoing issue,” he said.

Jim has property out at Bungarby and noticed feral pigs in the area a few years ago.

“Our family has been there for many years and we’ve never had pigs until three or four years ago.”

Feral pigs cause agricultural damage through preying on newborn lambs, reducing crop yields, damaging fences and water sources, and competing with stock for feed by consuming or st damaging pasture. da Methods of pig control include ground shooting, aerial shooting, gr trapping and baiting. tr PestSmart has more information about controlling in pest animals, including a pe Glovebox Guide for Managing G Feral Pigs, which can be Fe downloaded at https://www. do pestsmart.org.au/gloveboxp guide-for-managing-feral-pigs/ gu FeralPigScan is a community website that allows you to w record and map sightings of re feral fe pigs, damage, and control activities in your local area. Use ac data da recorded in your region to help he decide where to undertake control, and coordinate with co your yo neighbours.

Visit https://www.feralscan. org.au/feralpigscan/default.aspx or

LOCALLY OWNED NEWSPAPER

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“We’ve been battling pigs for a long time in the area around Bridle Creek, Wambrook Creek and up towards Eucumbene,” Jim said.

“The one caught recently was quite a specimen, but it’s not unusual to see quite a lot of big pigs in the area.”

Jim often gets calls reporting pig sightings, particularly a large black and white pig crossing the Snowy Mountains Highway which is yet to be caught.

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Controlling feral pigs is a constant battle for landholders in the region, with many pigs seeking out stock feeders for an easy meal.

Recently, James Moore caught a massive 127kg feral pig at ‘Spring Plain’, 15km from Cooma on the Snowy Mountains Highway.

The pig had been up at neighbour Jim Cassilles’ sheep feeder and was reported to be “full of grain”.

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Feral pigs in stock feeders

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Hazeldean

Hazeldean offering sons of Hugh – still Australia’s top performing ram

There was spirited bidding at the 2017 Hazeldean Monaro Ram Sale.

Hazeldean Merinos are offering 150 highly productive Merino and Poll Merino Rams at their annual Monaro Ram Sale on property at Hazeldean, on October 25.

Among the sale team are sons of one of Australia’s best performing rams, Hazeldean Hugh 11.3542, who remains at the top of Sheep Genetics for MP+, FP+ and now DP+ indexes and is producing some of the heaviest cutters of low micron wool in the industry. Breeders who have used Hugh as an AI sire or purchased sons are universally impressed with his outstanding production of low micron wool - and plenty of it.

Hugh’s yearling clean fleece weight ASBV is in the top one percent of the industry, more than three times the average wool cut per head, yet his yearling fibre diameter is in the top five percent. He therefore defies the age old belief that cutting plenty of wool means you have to forego fine micron.

His MP+ and DP+ indexes are nearly double the industry average and his sons have topped the Hazeldean Ram Sales for the past few years. Hugh is arguably the most productive and profitable sire available in Australia today.

Hugh has reached super sire status at Hazeldean with more than 3000 progeny recorded. His genetic potency is strong with his signature white, large cutting, high value wool traits stamped in all his progeny. Hugh’s influence has been very beneficial for the genetic progress of the Hazeldean stud and that of others who have used him.

“The past two years we have run a large scale AI program in our Hazeldean commercial flock, joining 1000 ewes to Hugh to reap the commercial benefit of this ram with his superior wool traits and correct structure, bred to last the distance in commercial conditions and improve flock profitability,” Hazeldean coprincipal, Bea Litchfield said.

Sons of Hazeldean 12.4030 and 14.1012 are among other up and coming standout rams in this year’s sale team with their balanced spread of performance values and impressive wool types.

“We welcome all wool growers to come and have a look at the sale rams, feel the wool, see the structure, size and productivity of the Hazeldean sheep.”

For more information contact: Bea Litchfield 0427 933 103 Jim Litchfield 0417 676 561

COOMA SPORTS STORE ABN 83 336 550 403

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Average MP+ index for the sale rams is in the TOP 5% of the breed Average YCFW for the sale rams is in the TOP 10% of the breed

The performance of these rams is unrivalled in the Merino industry, with the average YCFW nearly double industry average & MP+ index average in the top 5%.

We invite you to inspect the Sale Team Enquiries welcome: Jim or Bea Litchfield 0417 676 561 0427 933 103 admin@hazeldean.com.au CALL US FOR A CATALOGUE: It’ll be the smartest thing you do all year! 02 6453 5555 www.hazeldean.com.au

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Your

FARM

Avonside Merino Stud will be holding their ninth annual on property ram sale on Thursday October 25 at 11am.

Avonside Merino Stud This sale will be held at “Muniong� with inspections from 9.30am. Forty oneyear-old rams will be offered at auction followed by private treaty rams. Selling agents will be Elders and Monaro Livestock and Property.

Despite the dry season, this year’s sale team have come up particularly well, with great growth for age and white bright productive fleeces. A feature of this year’s sale will be the first progeny of Roseville Park 442 purchased at Dubbo National Ram Sale in 2016. These rams are very even in type and display the same supple productive skins of their father pushing out a great staple of fine medium wool.

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Early in the year, our long time sheep classer, John Williams decided that it was time to hang up his classers raddle and retire. John has been instrumental in the improvement of our sheep and I consider myself very fortunate to have been able to work with such an astute sheep man. I can’t thank John enough for his guidance and wisdom over the years and the quality of our flock is largely due to his influence.

Appreciating the importance of an outside classer, we are excited to welcome Damien Meaburn to our team as our Stud Adviser.

Based in Tasmania with Roberts Wool, Damien has a considerable classing run of both stud and

commercial operations across Eastern Australia. We share a very similar philosophy to sheep breeding and look forward to working with Damien into the future.

The current strength in the wool market combined with excellent lamb and mutton prices means that this is an exciting time to own productive Merinos. With wool sales exceeding $100/ head and our surplus 1½ year old ewes selling for $200/head, we have never been more focused on the continual improvement of our genetics and profitability for our clients. We continue to invest in new genetics.

The last 12 months has seen us purchase three new stud sires from Langdene, Cottage

Park and most recently the $16,000 top price ram at the Yarrawonga on property sale.

We feel that our 2018 sale team is the best that we have offered and invite clients and sheep breeders to our sale. As always, anyone wanting to inspect our rams prior to the sale is most welcome.

9TH ANNUAL ON PROPERTY RAM SALE

AvonsidE Merino Stud EST. 1990

Ram Sale at “Muniong� Cooma Thursday 25th October 2018

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FARM

Financial management in a different style of drought Jono Forrest, Director Boyce Chartered Accountants The current drought is very different to others in the last 30 years in that commodity prices for graziers have remained high and interest rates (as a cost of borrowing) have been low. This is giving options to farmers in the financial management of their farms and decisions regarding livestock.

We have seen our clients adopting various different strategies related to drought management.

Some have de-stocked early to take advantage of high commodity prices and preserve pastures, while others have made the decision to feed (paddock feeding and drought lots).

The most important thing

we’ve found over the years is to have a drought plan that considers a worst case scenario for the potential cycle of the drought, and the associated costs. That has been tough for this recent drought for those who have chosen to feed.

The dry period has lasted longer than a lot of people first anticipated, and fodder prices have continued to rise significantly. Therefore allowing sufficient feed costs for an adequate period of time is an important part of the plan – the plan should include different scenarios for the costs associated with the drought and the length of time it may endure.

The other important aspect of going down the supplementary feeding path is to consider whether you’re feeding for survival or production. If cash flow and other resources are unlikely to be able to sustain a full production feeding regime, the decision to de-stock early may be the better path to take.

Equally important to the pre-planning and ongoing monitoring during a drought, is the post-drought strategy.

Some of this will be about grazing management and allowing country time to recover, and for some who may have de-stocked early it will be around the decision

of when to re-stock. Earlier re-stocking can be good financially while stock are cheaper, however going too early can also be a risk if the recovery is short-lived and we go back into a dry cycle. We have seen some producers successfully trade stock during this type of scenario rather than end up in an unsustainable situation.

Government assistance is currently available in a number of areas and extends to transport subsidies backdated to 1 January 2018. The NSW Government have waived the Local Land Services fees for the 2019 year. We are seeing great interest in the take up of the

low and no interest loans for farm innovation and drought assistance. These loans are designed to assist farmers to become more resilient for the future. These loans have also been important in a period where there has been a tightening of lending policies from regulators and the Hayne Royal Commission.

A further recent change is the ability to claim an immediate tax deduction for a fodder storage asset that is installed and ready for use after 19 August 2018 (awaiting final approval at the time of publishing this article).

Prior to this depreciation was allowed over three years.

Budgeting and reporting

remains key – it is critical to know if cash flow is going to be tight and to take action prior to the crunch. It may be possible to adjust the timing of revenue or expenditure and to start discussions early with your banker. The banks have generally been understanding in this drought to date, however it is much better to be planned through diligent cash flow forecasting rather than waiting until you are out of funds to approach your bank.

There are also a number of tax-related considerations for Primary Producers which can have a significant difference on the overall financial outcomes.

Flupropanate resistance makes tackling serrated tussock tricky

Serrated tussock is a widespread weed across the Southern Tablelands of NSW and is well known to many Monaro land managers who have been battling it for well over 40 years.

One of the weed control options for managing serrated tussock is herbicides. However, only two main herbicides options are commonly used, flupropanate (e.g. Taskforce, Tussock etc.) and glyphosate.

Flupropanate has been the most frequently used herbicide for serrated tussock control on the Monaro since the plant was first discovered in the region in the 1970s.

Jo Powells, senior agriculture advisor with South East Local Land Services (LLS), has just concluded a two year project investigating flupropanate resistance in serrated tussock on the Monaro.

“This project was driven by observations and local commentary around poor efficacy of control of the weed using the herbicide.” Jo said.

“The first year results from the project indicated that there were a few populations of plants that were resistant to flupropanate but that further testing was needed to confirm the extent of the problem.”

Jointly funded by LLS and the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program, LLS staff worked with Snowy Monaro Regional Council biosecurity officers and local land managers to identify locations where herbicide resistance might have developed. The second year of the project expanded the sampling to over 40 sites across the region over summer 2017/18. The collected

seed was then sent to a herbicide resistance testing facility in South Australia for analysis.

“Eighteen samples were found to have a high level of resistance to the herbicide flupropanate. A further 15 were identified as having a weak, but developing resistance to the herbicide,” Jo said.

“Importantly, this year’s results identified resistance or developing resistance in plants from across the Monaro region, not just in a few localities.

“Whilst flupropanate resistant biotypes were confirmed widespread, susceptible plant populations were also widely recorded,” Jo said.

The development of resistance comes from the continual and long term reliance on any one herbicide (in this case flupropanate) within some plant populations. Although the first flupropanate resistant population of serrated tussock was found in Victoria in the early 2000s, additional populations have since been found in both the northern and southern tablelands of NSW. Additional information can also be found on the South East LLS website at www.southeast.lls.nsw. gov.au >resource hub >publications >flupropanate resistant serrated tussock – information for landholders.

Advice for landholders serrated tussock control spring 2018 The confirmation of flupropanate resistant serrated tussock biotypes in the region is a reminder to all landholders of the importance of

adopting an integrated approach to managing serrated tussock.

Key points for landholders this spring: · Be on the lookout for possible serrated tussock resistance plants/ populations. · If using flupropanate this spring, monitor paddocks closely over the next 12 months looking for plants that may have survived the treatment. · Chip out surviving plants (if possible) or treat survivors with glyphosate (don’t reapply flupropanate). · Always apply herbicides according to label directions and keep good spray records for every paddock. · Use immediate acting or short residual herbicides wherever possible. Use long-term residual herbicides (like flupropanate) wisely and not continuously on the same parcel of land. · Regularly rotate herbicide types used with different modes of action. · Report any resistance concerns to the local council biosecurity officers or your LLS office. · If one is not already in place, start developing an Integrated Weed Management Plan. LLS run workshops that can assist you in developing and implementing such a plan. · Get tested. Herbicide resistance testing is the best way to confirm the presence or absence of resistance in a controlled environment that removes variables such as climate, soil type and spray application error.

Serrated tussock. Photo by Jo Powells.

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Your

FARM

Round Plain Merino Stud Since March 1991 we have purchased top stud ewes from Merrignee Stud and five stud rams from those in the next five years.

In 1998 we purchased 11 stud ewes and two rams from Snowy Plain Stud.

In 2003 we purchased two stud rams from Wurrook Merino Stud in Victoria, both of which are Merryville blood.

We have also purchased eight other Wurrook rams since.

In 2013 we purchased one ram from Cottage Park and another ram in 2015.

In 2017 we purchased

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another Wurrook ram with a micron measurement of 17.6.

Last year we purchased the top priced Snowy Plain ram, paying $6500 for him. We have always achieved some of the top prices for our flock sheep at Cooma commercial sales.

The aim at Round Plain is to breed a true fine wool sheep with bright, long-stapled stylish wool and with good fleece weights.

In 2007 our top-priced ram was sold to Grathlyn Merino Stud at Midgee and they also purchased our top-priced ram in 2008.

Round Plain Merino Stud was founded in March 1990 with the purchase of 56 ewes from Merryville Stud.

In the past few years, Round Plain has sold rams to Southern Tablelands, South Coast as well as local buyers.

In 2010 we took John Williams on board as our stud classer. We currently have 250 stud ewes, 400 flock ewes and run approximately 1000 sheep in total, with 40 rams offered annually.

Sires in use

Wurrrok Horse, Wurrook Giant 2nd, Wurrook Grand Monarch, Cottage Park 26, Cottage Park No3, Round Plain Ringo, Round Plan Giant.

M

D PLA N U INO ST ER

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In Charles Massy’s Call of the Reed Warbler groundbreaking book, Massy explores regenerative agriculture and the vital connection between our soil and our health.

Using his personal farming experience as a touchstone, he tells the real story behind industrial agriculture and the global profit-obsessed corporations driving it.

He shows how innovative farmers are finding a new way, regenerating their land and witnessing astounding transformations.

Charles has authored several books on the Australian sheep industry including the widely acclaimed Breaking the Sheep’s Back.

The Mark and Evette Moran Nib Literary Award is presented annually by Waverley Council with the support of Principal Sponsors Mark and Evette Moran and the generous assistance of our community partners; Friends of Waverley Library (FOWL), Gertrude and Alice Bookshop and Cafe, Mark Moran Vaucluse and Bondi Junction, North Bondi, and Rose Bay RSL SubBranches.

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their quantity.

The 2018 shortlist is: • Relatively Famous, Roger Averill (Transit Lounge) • The Trauma Cleaner: One Woman’s Extraordinary Life in Death, Decay & Disaster, Sarah Krasnostein (Text Publishing) • The Dead Still Cry Out, Helen Lewis (Text Publishing) • Eggshell Skull, Bri Lee (Allen & Unwin) • Call of the Reed Warbler, Charles Massy (The University of Queensland Press) • The Suitcase Baby, Tanya Bretherton (Hachette Australia) Voting for the popular Nib People’s Choice Prize will be open from Monday 17 September through to 22 October. Australian readers are encouraged to vote for their favourite book from the shortlist with the winner awarded a $1000 prize.

Entry forms are available at the Waverley Library and Customer Service Centre, Gertrude and Alice Cafe Bookstore, Mark Moran Vaucluse or online at www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/nib.

The winners will be announced on 22 November at a breakfast event hosted by author, broadcaster and literary champion, Richard Glover.

RO

Local book shortlisted for award

Charles Massy’s latest book Call of the Reed Warbler has been shortlisted for the 2018 Mark and Evette Moran Nib Literary Award, which celebrates excellence in research and writing in Australia.

This year’s shortlisted books are by authors all appearing on The Nib shortlist for the first time and include three debut books, including Sarah Krasnostein’s The Trauma Cleaner, which has picked up numerous literary awards.

Judged on the quality of research, literary merit, readability and value to the community, The Nib is a national literary award with a generous prize pool of $30,000, and the only one of its type presented by a local council.

The award program covers four categories: Mark and Evette Moran Nib Literary Award ($20,000); Nib Military History Prize ($3000); Alex Buzo Shortlist Prize (six prizes of $1000 each) and Nib People’s Choice Prize ($1000).

This year’s shortlist contains one novel and five works of nonfiction.

Head judge, Jamie Grant said the judges had a record-breaking number of entries to consider for this year’s Nib award, and the quality of those entries matched

ANNUAL RAM SALE

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RAINFALL The October to December climate outlook, issued by the Bureau of Meteorology on 13 September 2018, indicates large parts of Australia are likely to be drier than average.

October shows a strong likelihood of drier conditions across most of the country. However, the outlook for the eastern seaboard is different, with no strong indication of either a wetter or drier month - a pattern fairly typical of El Niño periods.

Much of eastern and southern mainland Australia have been very dry and warm since the start of the year. This pattern continued during winter. The October to December outlook indicates current drought areas are unlikely to see significant respite in the coming three months.

Historical outlook accuracy for October to December is moderate to high over most of the country, except for southwestern and interior WA, and parts of southeast SA where accuracy is low to very low.

FARM

TEMPERATURE October to December days are very likely to be warmer than average for most of Australia. Chances are greater than 80 percent over most of the western half of the country, the tropical north, and an area along the NSW-Victorian border.

Nights are also likely to be warmer than average across Australia.

A drier and warmer-than-average end to the year would mean a low chance of recovery for droughtaffected areas of eastern Australia.

The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) are currently neutral.

However, current observations and model outlooks indicate El Niño and a positive IOD could develop in spring.

Historical accuracy for October to December maximum temperatures is moderate to high across Australia.

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Farmers given more power to manage roos The NSW Government has cut red tape and given more power to our drought- stricken farmers in order to help manage the damage caused by kangaroos.

As part of the NSW Drought Strategy, the new approach will allow farmers to apply for licences to cull kangaroos over the phone or via email, and more shooters will be able to operate on a property under the same licence.

It remains a legal requirement for individuals to obtain a licence to shoot kangaroos from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, however moving to an online system will take away the timeconsuming task of having to pick up tags and then having to tag the animal in the paddock.

Under the new system, carcasses will no longer need to be tagged and left in the paddock and landholders will be able to use the carcass for a range of non- commercial purposes such as bait meat. There will also be increased limits on the number of kangaroos that may be culled, based on property size.

Previous and current licence holders can apply for licences over the phone.

Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair said these changes are giving farmers more power to protect their properties, especially as they manage the challenging conditions.

These changes will also maintain animal welfare standards and ecologically sustainable kangaroo populations “Kangaroos around local food and water sources are putting significant pressure on farms - we must start to

turn that around as soon as possible,�

Mr Blair said. “Many farmers are taking livestock off their paddocks, only to then see kangaroos move in and take whatever is left – this is the last thing any farmer needs at the moment. “If we don’t manage this situation we will start to see tens of thousands of kangaroos starving and suffering ultimately leading to a major animal welfare crisis. “I know both farmers and our regional communities are under immense pressure right now but I hope these changes are one way the NSW Government can assist in reducing some of the burden of drought.�

In addition, the NSW Government has announced extensions to the commercial kangaroo harvest zones in South East NSW. This is expected to occur during 2019. These changes will both reduce biosecurity risks and incentivise experienced shooters to support landholders in reducing numbers.

For more information visit www.lls. nsw.gov.au/agriculture/kangaroo

Eyes in the sky: Latest technology a

‘game-changer’ in bushfire prevention Forestry Corporation Drone Operators Eric Smith (left) and Conan Rossler.

Forestry Corporation has enlisted the latest drone technology to better protect NSW’s State forests from bushfires.

Drone technology means Forestry Corporation staff can quickly identify the location and start managing a bushfire before it requires a larger response.

The innovation is a game changer in fire spotting and management, Forestry Corporation Fire Training and Operations Officer, Adrien Thompson said. “Our trained drone operators can deploy a drone in minutes to get an accurate fire location and start to understand its behaviour,� Mr Thompson said. “While this makes firefighting more effective, it also means we have fewer people on the ground in dangerous conditions. A drone operator can quickly identify where fires are and send crews directly to the location, rather than having staff drive around trying to locate it. “We had an example in the Pilliga recently where we launched a drone to locate a bushfire in minutes.

Without this flexibility, the fire could have quickly

reached a dangerous size and required a larger and expensive response. “Forestry Corporation is also using satellite technology to quickly identify fire location,� Forestry Corporation Information Officer, Dr Eric Smith said. “We can use drones to take a bearing on a smoke plume, drive a short distance to take another bearing and then use satellite data to precisely calculate the plume’s location,� Dr Smith said. “We are also looking at mounting thermal cameras to help monitor fire sites and prevent flareups. “Applying this technology in fire management is incredibly exciting and will help protect our firefighters and forests.�

Forestry Corporation has strict rules about where and when a drone can be deployed in a fire response. A drone can only be deployed at the request of a bushfire incident controller and its use is logged in the operations management system.

For more information about Forestry Corporation of NSW, visit www.forestrycorporation.com.au

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NSW Emergency Drought Relief Package

In July, the NSW Government announced a $500 million Emergency Drought Relief Package to help farmers manage the effects of the current drought. Below are all the options available.

Drought Transport Subsidy Provides drought affected farm businesses in NSW with a transport subsidy of up to $30,000 for the transport of fodder, water and/or stock.

Subsidies of up to 50 percent of the total freight cost, to a maximum of $5 per kilometre (GST exclusive) to a maximum eligible distance of 1,500 kilometres are available. The subsidy is back-dated so farmers can apply it to freight expenses incurred since 1 January 2018. $20,000 is available per eligible farm business, per year which equates up to $30,000 over 18 months from 1 January 2018 to 30 June 2019.

For more information and to apply, visit https://www.business.gov.au/assistance/ emergency-drought-relief--transport-subsidynsw Or call the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593.

Waiver of NSW Local Land Services (LLS) rates All LLS rates, including general rates and rates for animal health and pests, the Meat Industry Levy and costs of Routine Stock Moving Permit and Stock Identification will be waived for 2019. No application necessary.

For more information call LLS - 1300 795 299, or your local LLS office - Bombala 6458 3055, Cooma 6452 1455.

Rebate on fixed charges for water licences A rebate of up to $4,000 per licence will apply to the fixed component of bills for general security licence holders (and supplementary water access licence holders) in rural and regional NSW across surface and ground water systems, and to customers of Irrigation Corporation Districts (ICDs) for water entitlement costs incurred. No application necessary Contact WaterNSW for more information on 1300 662 077.

Waiver of Class 1 agricultural vehicle registration Class 1 agricultural vehicles will be exempt from the next annual registration charge.

Contact ServiceNSW 13 22 13 for more information and to apply.

Waiver of Farm Innovation Fund interest charges All existing Farm Innovation Fund customers, and all applicants who submitted an application on or before 30 July 2018, will have applicable interest charges for the 2017/18 financial year and 2018/19 financial

year refunded and waived. No application necessary.

Contact the NSW RAA on 1800 678 593.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Farm Innovation Fund A loan scheme for capital works to a value of $250K (e.g. sheds, silos, water storage) for infrastructure works to prepare for dry conditions, to be more resilient and improve on-farm efficiency. Contact the NSW RAA on 1800 678 593.

Drought Assistance Fund A one-off $50,000 interest free loan to transport stock, fodder and water; genetic banking of breeding herds and installing onfarm fodder and water infrastructure. Sevenyear interest free repayment terms. No repayment required in first two years. Contact the NSW RAA on 1800 678 593.

Transport of Donated Fodder One hundred percent of the cost of transporting donated fodder is available to transport providers acting in conjunction with community groups taking donated fodder from within NSW to drought-affected properties - up to a maximum of $5 per kilometre within 1500km. Contact the NSW RAA on 1800 678 593.

Animal Welfare Transport Subsidy A subsidy of up to 50 percent of eligible costs for the permanent transport of stock off a farm which is facing financial hardship and where livestock are at fat score two or below (dairy cattle three or below), to a maximum of $20,000 per financial year. Contact the NSW RAA on 1800 678 593.

Farm Business Skills Professional Development Program A subsidy of up to 50 percent of eligible costs for an approved course or activity, with a maximum reimbursement of $5000 per farmer and $9000 per farm business. Visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au/assistance/professionaldevelopment-program Farm Debt Mediation A structured negotiation process where an accredited, independent mediator helps the farmers and their creditors to negotiate and reach agreements about farm business debt.

New farm debt mediation videos provide valuable information on the mediation process and aim to empower farmers to negotiate more effectively, in a fair and efficient way.

Visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au/fdm

Farm Household Allowance Income support for eligible farmers and their partners for up to three years, as well as planning and training for long-term financial improvements, including: Income support allowance, a dedicated case management to help develop a plan for the future and address challenges facing the business and household, up to $1500 to carry out a financial assessment of their farm enterprise, and ongoing support from the Rural Financial Counselling Service. A federal government initiative. Call 132 316 or visit http://www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farmfood/drought/assistance/farm-householdallowance Taxation measures Primary producers can immediately deduct (rather than depreciate over three years) the cost of fodder storage assets, such as silos and hay sheds used to store grain and other animal feed storage, making it easier for farmers to invest in and stockpile fodder.

Visit www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/ drought/assistance/tax-relief for more information. A Federal Government initiative.

Low-interest loans Owners of farm businesses on the Monaro can apply for loans up to $2 million, with a 3.58% variable interest rate. Contact the Regional Investment Corporation on 1800 875 675 or visit www.ric.gov.au for eligibility criteria.

Bureau of Meteorology An additional $2.7 million to develop new finer scale regional weather and climate guides, helping farmers make decisions about crop planting and stocking levels by better understanding their local climate risks. Vist www.bom.gov.au for more information. A Federal Government initiative.

Regional Investment Corporation Drought Assistance The Australian Government offers low interest loans for farmers to manage their business risks and to prepare for, manage through and recover from drought. Contact the Regional Investment Corporation on 1800 875 675 or visit www.ric.gov.au Farm Management Deposits The scheme helps producers deal effectively with cash flow fluctuations by building up cash reserves to meet their business costs in low-income years. Eligible producers can set aside pre-tax income from primary production in years of high income,

which can be drawn on in future years.

Visit www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/ drought/assistance/fmd

SUPPORT AND ADVICE

Drought Hub A one-stop online destination for information on services and support available to primary producers, their families and communities to prepare for and manage drought conditions. Visit www.dpi.nsw.gov. au/climate-and-emergencies/droughthub Drought Feed Calculator A mobile app to help farmers make decisions and save money by determining the minimum feed requirement for different livestock, and compare the value of different feeds or a mixed ration. The app covers 71 different feeds and calculates: - The amount of feed needed per head, - the cost per head, - the cost for a period, - the amount of feed needed for a mob/ herd, and the total cost for a mob/herd.

Free to download from the iOS App Store or Android Google Play. A state government initiative.

Rural Resilience Program A team dedicated to building the personal and business resilience of farming communities by listening to concerns and collaborating with partners to address these.

They make sure farmers connect with each other through events, facilitate useful learning opportunities and improve farmers’ access to information and services they may need. Visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/rural-support/ RRP Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) Rural financial counsellors help farmers who are dealing with, or are at risk of, financial hardship.

Visit www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farmfood/drought/assistance/rural-financialcounselling-service/nsw RFCS Southern head office is at 8 Dawson Street, Cooma. Phone 6452 5850, or Peter 0447 467 964. Email cooma@rfcsnsw-sr. com.au.

Website www.rfcsnsw-sr.com.au For more information about these, and more drought relief services, visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate-andemergencies/droughthub/droughtassistance

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6 COMMISSIONER STREET, COOMA

SNOWY MONARO REGION & SOUTH COAST

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9

SPRING 2018

Metabolic conditions in sheep during drought Alicia Kasbarian Final year Vet student DVM University of Sydney be affected. Prevention is best. Ensure the entire mob has access to an appropriate diet, paying special attention to twin lambers and shy feeders.

Hypocalcaemia/Milk Fever Milk fever is a deficiency of Calcium. It has been affecting large numbers of ewes across local farms. It is a metabolic condition that can occur just before, around, or after lambing. Ewes are particularly susceptible in early lactation as they require more calcium than they can get from the feed alone, drawing on stores of calcium in the bones.

Stressors associated with overexertion, transportation and sudden feed deprivation predispose ewes to this condition.

Typical signs may include: muscle tremors, bloat, and a weak gait with progression to generalised muscle weakness and collapse. Treatment is required early and requires calcium supplementation. This can be given in the form of a subcutaneous injection of a 4 in 1 solution containing calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and glucose. The disease is prevented by providing a ration that is balanced for calcium.

Grains are naturally high in phosphorus but low in calcium and lime must be added at 1-2% by weight of grain fed to achieve a balanced ration. This can be fed as a loose lick with salt if mixing through the ration is not an option.

Starvation DVs across the region have seen many cases of dead and/ or down animals due to starvation. In most of these cases it has been due to energy and/or protein malnutrition from inappropriate feeding regimens, or chronic underfeeding. The

Cottage Park sale

Cottage Park Merino stud celebrates 64 years of merino breeding this year.

Cottage Park sheep have been renowned for their large frames and heavy cutting wool qualities, they have proven their ability to contend with the elements and have developed into a leading merino strain.

Last year Cottage Park sold to a top of $10,500.

animals first response to a lack of feed is to mobilise body fat reserves as a source of energy. As their condition worsens, the animals will then begin to use their muscle tissue to meet their energy needs. Animals considered at risk have a Fat Score 1, immediate intervention is recommended.

A copy of the welfare condition scoring system can be found at: h t t p s : / / w w w. d p i . n s w. g o v. a u / _ _ d a t a / a s s e t s / p d f _ file/0012/449796/welfare-scoring-nutritionally-deprived-cattlesheep-horses.pdf Meeting feed requirements – “ Feed well or sell�

Meeting the energy and nutrient requirements during this tough time is critical to avoiding the conditions described above. If pastures are very short it is best to assume you are getting no assistance from pasture, thus implement a full drought feeding ration. It may require a high concentrate feed such as DDG or grains. Always bear in mind that a slow transition (approximately three to four weeks) onto these feeds is required to avoid other animal health issues such as grain poisoning which can be fatal.

A copy of the drought feeding guidelines can be found at: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_ file/0006/582531/Managing-and-preparing-for-drought-2018. pdf If you would like assistance with assessing your stock or feeding practices please contact your Local Land Services District Veterinarian for professional advice and support.

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Proudly brought to you by The Monaro Post.

COTTAGE PARK

MERINO STUD 24th Annual On-Property Ram Sale Thursday October 25, 2018 Inspection 12pm, Sale 3pm

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Designed by The Monaro Post

We have seen an increase in metabolic conditions of sheep across the region due to underfeeding or from the lack of appropriate feed in prevailing drought conditions. The main conditions of concern include: pregnancy toxaemia, hypocalcaemia and starvation.

Pregnancy toxaemia During late gestation the rapidly growing foetus is competing with the rumen for space in the abdomen making it difficult for the ewe to consume enough feed to meet energy requirements. The energy requirement of a twin lamb ewe is 200% greater than a dry ewe. Combine this with lower quality feed and environmental stressors (e.g. weather, handling) or teeth problems and it places the pregnant ewe under significant pressure. Consequently, the ewe may experience a period of insufficient feed intake. The bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s response in these situations is to mobilise body fat stores to maintain appropriate energy levels. This fat mobilisation overwhelms the liver, resulting in a build-up of toxic by-products in the body. Clinical signs are progressive and may include: â&#x20AC;˘ loss of appetite â&#x20AC;˘ going down â&#x20AC;˘ a depressed or dull demeanour â&#x20AC;˘ laboured breathing â&#x20AC;˘ neurological signs such as blindness, circling, incoordination, star gazing, tremors, convulsions.

It can equally occur with singles or twin pregnancies, particularly in poor seasonal conditions. Treatment is often unrewarding in advanced cases, and many animals can

10

SPRING 2018

Bendigo winners on offer The Anneleigh Poll Dorset and White Suffolk Stud 12th annual on-property sale will be held on Friday November 16 at ‘Avondale’ Cathcart.

There will be 120 Poll Dorset and 30 White Suffolk rams on offer.

Among those are some select

12th Annual On-Property

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Anneleigh

stud rams including the two first place winners from Bendigo Show earlier this month.

The rams are second generation Guidar vaccinates, Brucellosis accredited and vet checked.

Performance will be recorded with stockscan.

Inspection is from 11am on the morning of the sale, and the sale will commence at 1pm. A light luncheon will be provided.

For enquiries contact Iain Ford Home 6458 2155 Mobile: 0418 407 423 Agents Landmark Bombala.

Poll Dorset - White Suffolk Rams

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Contact: Iain Ford (H) 6458 2155 (M) 0418 407 423

ALUDA K HEREFORDS H

Iain with first place class winner White Suffolk ram at the Bendigo Elite White Suffolk and Suffolk Show and Sale.

KALUDAH HEREFORDS

PRIVATE SALE

Have a run of Top Quality Horned and Poll Bulls for sale

$16,000

Wodonga Nationals 2018

CONTACT

$12,000

Wodonga Nationals 2018

Malcolm, Pam & Janie Shelley M: 0428 489 258 Elders Cooma P: 02 6452 1000 Sam Green M: 0428 973 520 Tim Schofield M: 0428 526 733

$15,000

$16,000

Wodonga Nationals 2018

Wodonga Nationals 2018

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Kaludah, Rock Flat COOMA

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SPRING 2018

Riparian rehabilitation grants see results For more than a decade, landholders managing riparian zones in the Snowy River and Murrumbidgee River catchments have been actively engaged in rehabilitating and enhancing the long term biodiversity and environmental values of their river front areas.

Two such local land managers, Elena Guarracino and Richard Valler of “Wildcroft”, Ironmungy, are seeing the results of their hard work and the benefits of a healthy ecosystem.

Elena and Richard have been working with South East Local Land Services since 2006 on a range of projects to address weed incursions, loss of habitat and erodible areas with the goal of improving the biodiversity, productivity and ‘aesthetics’ of their property.

On the back of the catchment-scale rehabilitation efforts to remove problem weeds, like willows, they wanted to improve the environmental sustainability of their property.

“We want to protect the Snowy River banks and plant more native trees and shrubs to replace the willows that had dominated the ecosystem along the Snowy River since the Jindabyne Dam was constructed in 1967,” Elena said.

“We’ve also created new areas of native bushland which is providing a habitat for a variety of native birds, including endangered ones like the Scarlet Robin and Hooded Robin.

“But also a range of native animals, improving water quality and halting and restoring erosion damage, and generally improving the look and feel of the property.”

In collaboration with South East Local Land Services, Elena and Richard have established riparian fencing, planted a diverse range of native plants and

For Elena and Richard, putting more addressed small scale erosion gullies to native trees and shrubs back into the improve water quality.

Deputy Premier, and Member for landscape has improved their enterprise Monaro, John Barilaro praised the work of and the environment.

“It has been an excellent partnership.

Elena and Richard, acknowledging their Staff at SE LLS have been great to work dedication to sustainability.

“It’s great to have such dedicated with and have made the process simple partnerships working to protect and grow and manageable,” Richard said. this beautiful part of the state,” he said.

Financial assistance, of up to $10,000 provided by Catchment Action NSW, can be provided for the cost of fencing materials, native plants and alternative water sources to protect riparian areas and tributary areas with minor erosion. Land managers are encouraged to get in touch to see if they are eligible to receive funding.

“This is a great opportunity for land managers to assist them in managing these sensitive areas,” said Leon Miners, South East Local Land Services Senior Natural Resource Management Advisor for the Monaro area.

“There is a clear desire from land managers to improve the environmental value of their property in the broader landscape whilst considering the added benefits such actions can have on productivity and sustainability.

“The grants we have on offer are a great way to demonstrate that these two aims can be achieved in unison.”

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“We are enjoying the improvements to the landscape at our property and are more than happy with the results.”

To find out more about the 2018/2019 round of Riparian Rehabilitation grants, visit southeast.lls.nsw.gov.au or contact the Cooma Local Land Services office 6452 1455.

RAM SALE

Friday 26th October, 2018 ON PROPERTY

Inspection Welcome anytime!

2:00 - Sale by Helmsman System

YEAR 45 1OLD RAMS

MARCH SHORN Big Merino & Poll Merino Rams

THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE SNOWY MONARO REGION Supreme Champion Bombala Show 2016

www.monaropost.com.au

Enquiries - Leon Clarke “Spring Creek” Berridale NSW 2628 (02) 6456 3211

12

SPRING 2018

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Council encourages all landholders to consider biosecurity in drought conditions

What is farm biosecurity?

Farm biosecurity is a set of measures designed to protect a property from the entry and spread of pests, diseases and weeds. Farm biosecurity is your responsibility, and that of every person visiting or working on your property.

Producers play a key role in protecting Australian plant and livestock industries from pests and diseases by implementing sound biosecurity measures on-farm.

If a new pest or disease becomes established on your farm, it will affect your business through increased costs (for monitoring, production practices, additional chemical use and labour), reduced productivity (in yield and/or quality) or loss of markets.

Early detection and immediate reporting of an exotic pest or disease, increases the chance of effective and efficient eradication.

The Farm Biosecurity Program is an important part of Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s emergency animal disease and exotic plant pest surveillance systems. Surveillance allows us to preserve existing trade opportunities and provides evidence of Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pest and animal disease status to support access to international markets.

Visit the FarmBiosecurity website http://www. farmbiosecurity.com.au/

Consider biosecurity in drought conditions Buying stockfeed? Are you also buying weeds?

The movement of grain and hay has the potential to spread problem weeds as well as introduce new weeds. There is also the chance that these weeds may even be herbicide resistant.

Take precautions to reduce weed spread when buying in hay or grain to feed livestock during the drought. Grain and hay can contain a lot of weed seeds. In the current drought

conditions stockfeed is being transported vast distances as producers source whatever they can, from around Australia.

This is a potentially serious problem for agricultural production, with negative impacts for both cropping and pasture.

The issue of monitoring and managing new weed infestations is often compounded when it rains by the fact landholders are then focused on drought recovery practices, such as seeding, rather than weed control.

To minimise the potential for weed spread through the movement of hay and grain, Snowy Monaro Regional Council advises landholders take the following precautions: â&#x20AC;˘ Check the origin of your hay or grain and be aware of potential weed risk. Risk can be assessed by requesting a commodity vendor declaration and asking the seller what weeds were present at the time of cutting hay. Research the priority weeds of that region. â&#x20AC;˘ Observe any restrictions on the movement of plant material interstate and within states â&#x20AC;˘ Check hay for weeds as you feed out: this may alert you to

future issues. â&#x20AC;˘ If possible source locally grown feed to reduce the chance of introducing new weeds to your region. â&#x20AC;˘ Feed stock in a designated quarantine paddock: this will limit the area where weed seeds are dispersed for easier monitoring and management after rain. Keep stock in this paddock after feeding for sufficient time for them to empty out. This paddock needs to be monitored after rain events for new weed germination. â&#x20AC;˘ Feed away from watercourses to reduce the risk of spreading weeds downstream. â&#x20AC;˘ When transporting hay or grain, clean down vehicles in a designated area to reduce the risk of spread and to make future monitoring and management easier. â&#x20AC;˘ Monitor hay and grain storage areas, paddocks and roadways for new weeds. â&#x20AC;˘ After it rains, identify or seek assistance to identify any new weeds to ensure the selection of appropriate control strategies.

When it does rain, landholders must carefully monitor for weed seedlings, especially where they have fed out hay or grain. Ideally they need to continue monitoring through the growing season and even into next season Whilst it is difficult to totally eliminate the risk of introducing weeds with hay or grain these recommended measures will minimise potential impacts.

Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Biosecurity Officers are available for advice and assistance with weed identification and control. Call now to book an appointment.

Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Biosecurity Officers can help you develop an Integrated Weed Management Plan for your property. Please call 1300 345 345 or email council@snowymonaro.nsw.gov. au

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SPRING 2018

Greendale Merinos

13

Greendale genetics Fire season is here commercial performers

The Rural Fire Service brought the Bushfire Danger Period forward by one month to start in September this year.

With the dry conditions there have already been some fires, which have posed a risk to properties in the local area including Bombala, Bemboka and Tathra.

Fire is a part of life on the land. While it can be a useful tool on farms, fire can also be dangerous, destroying homes, livestock, machinery and equipment, crops and livelihoods.

If you live on a farm, ensure you have a plan for what you, your family, employees and workmates will do if there is a fire.

You can reduce the risk to your home, buildings, machinery and animals by: • Considering how fire trucks would reach your property. Will bridges or cattle grids be able to carry the weight of a fire truck?

• Replacing or repairing damaged roofing and weatherboards where embers can enter.

• Moving any woodpiles or other flammable material away from buildings.

• Storing petrol and fuel safely away in a shed.

• Having a well maintained garden

around your home, with short green grass close to buildings.

• Having firefighting equipment like pumps, hoses and fire extinguishers, and ensure they are at hand if you’re working in paddocks.

• Trimming branches away from power lines.

• Keeping your farm machinery well maintained. Just one spark is enough to start a fire.

• Identifying refuge paddocks where stock can be moved during fires.

• Preparing fire breaks ahead of the fire season by mowing, grazing, brush cutting or ploughing around buildings, crops, pasture, storage areas, along key fence lines and other exposures. Effective fire breaks help prevent fire escaping from your property and reduce the likelihood of fires entering.

Fire breaks should, where practical, be designed to avoid trees or to provide an additional break around the trees themselves. Work with your neighbours to construct effective fire breaks.

Farm FireWise Farm FireWise is a program developed by the Rural Fire Service. It helps NSW rural landholders prepare for and prevent bush fires. It provides support and advice on building bush fire preparedness into your business plans, and gives you the knowledge and skills to protect your family, home and business when bush fire threatens your property.

Farm FireWise aims to reinvigorate and foster relationships between rural communities, volunteer brigades and the NSW RFS as partners in bush fire protection. It assists landholders to view and assess bush fire risk on a more holistic level across the landscape.

Involving an extensive checklist and a guide for developing an action plan. Farm FireWise is a good way of preparing as much as possible for a fire on your property.

To arrange a Farm FireWise meeting, please contact your local Fire Control Centre.

The Berridale Agricultural Bureau Present

90th MERINO EWE COMPETITION

3rd & 4th

MAY 2019

Throughout Snowy Monaro See what the Monaro can produce. Regional Council Transport & refreshments provided at a small price.

Contact: Ross Walters 0427 200 025 or Tim Jardine 0428 688 646.

The time is perfect to invest in proven highly profitable genetics with wool offering substantial returns for your business.

Outstanding commercial performance of Greendale merino genetics is highlighted in recent comparison trials across New South Wales.

Greendale Merinos benchmark our genetics with other Merino genetics through ASBVs, Sire Evaluations and Wether trials.

We currently have three sires entered in MLP sites Merino Lifetime Productivity project evaluated against other industry sires.

• Greendale 12-012 Temora 2016 drop ranked 1st FP+ and MP+ index • Greendale 14-141 Temora 2017 ranked 1st FP+ and MP+ index • Greendale 15-018 Yass 2017 drop ranked 1st FP+ and 2nd MP+ index • Greendale 12-012 progeny at Balmoral 2016 drop – highly ranked.

Peter Westblade Memorial Merino Challenge Wagga 20162018 – clients using Greendale genetics were ranked first, second, third dollar return per ha.

Client, Dean and Marcelle Incher

‘Mayfield Partnership’ ranked highest for wool.

It should be highlighted that in the last 15 years of the Bookham trial, Greendale genetics have been the highest profit per hectare. The latest Bookham trial 2015-2018 concluded with Greendale genetics first and commercial clients, Dean and Marcelle Incher ‘Mayfield Partnership’ highest dollar return per ha in this trial of 29 teams.

This year we have embarked on the use of genomics with DNA testing our nucleus flock ewes.

This is being conducted through Merinolink and is partly funded

by the University of New England and MLA donor company.

This testing will enable us to obtain full pedigree on all of our nucleus flock and achieve greater predictability and accuracy on our ASBVs. Greendale genetics are a commercial entity focused on producing the most efficient and profitable merino.

Greendale genetics will again be offered at their annual ram sale on Thursday October 25, 2018. Available will be sons of industry leading sires Hazeldean 11-3542 and Greendale 14-141 and 12-012.

Proven - Production - Profit

The Most Proven Profitable Merino

3 Sires, 3 Sites

12-12 Indexed 1st FP+ and MP+ 14-141 Indexed 1st FP+ and MP+ 15-018 Indexed 1st FP+ and 2nd MP+

2006-2016 Merino Bloodline Comparison

Greendale Genetics ranked 1st overall profit $/HA of 77 bloodlines

2018 Bookham Ag Bureau Trial

Greendale Genetics ranked most profitable Genetics last 15 years

PWMMC 2018 Wagga

Greendale Genetics most profitable Genetics $/HA

ON PROPERTY MERINO RAM SALE 10.00am Thursday 25th October 2018

WE HAVE BEEN BENCHMARKING OUR GENETICS FOR OVER 30 YEARS

Alan McGufficke 0429 448 078 Elders Cooma 0428 973 520

www.greendalemerinos.com.au

"Willarney" 850 Maffra Road Cooma NSW 2630

14

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SPRING 2018

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New strategy for native veg conservation

Local agronomist Stuart Burge has completed the final report of the Monaro Kangaroo Grass Strategy, which aims to assist landholders in locating and protecting high conservation value natural grasslands on the Monaro.

Mr Burge was commissioned

by Member for Monaro John Barilaro to conduct the study after controversial mapping technology was deemed inappropriate and inaccurate in identifying high, medium and low conservation grasslands on the Monaro.

Mr Burge chose Kangaroo grass as the fundamental basis of the strategy due to it being widely acknowledged as a key

cornerstone species of native grassland in good condition and it can be easily identified.

Kangaroo grass is thought to be the original dominant species in all of Australia’s grasslands, particularly on the Monaro. It is a useful indicator of the level of disturbance in an area because it does not tolerate heavy or continuous grazing.

Mr Burge highlights two characteristics of Kangaroo grass which make it easy to identify: 1. Distinctive seed head which is clearly visible from January to March. He suggests the best time to identify Kangaroo grass is on Australia Day. 2. During winter, older leaves turn from bright green with a tinge of red tto a pronounced red/ brown colour. Even in winter, these red plants stand out from all other vvegetation.

“Taking these factors iinto consideration, e experience suggests that o once you get your eye iin, Kangaroo grass can b be detected either in the ssummer or winter period fr from several hundred m metres away or even w when driving at 100km/ h hour!” Mr Burge said.

“Most importantly, sk skills in the identification of Kangaroo grass can

certainly be learnt by all landholders quickly and simply.”

Identifying Kangaroo grass Mr Burge provides the following guidelines for identifying Kangaroo grass and, therefore, high conservation value grasslands.

Location Focus your search on the more remote parts of the property and areas of the paddock which are further from water, shade and shelter, where stock infrequently graze and grazing intensity is lowest.

Focus on paddocks and locations within the paddock which are inherently poorer soils of low fertility or those areas which have received limited or no fertiliser and little history of disturbance.

Plant density Kangaroo Grass is such a useful indicator species that finding only scattered or individual plants is sufficient to earmark this paddock, site or patch within a paddock as being worthy of managing for its conservation significance. In other words, a simple “presence or absence” of Kangaroo grass is sufficient.

A more comprehensive management approach to achieving this outcome will be developed alongside this strategy.

The protection and management of these high conservation native grassland sites needs to be seen in a whole farm context.

Increases in agricultural productivity should be directed to those areas of the property which are better suited to this purpose. The significant increase in stocking rate from the sowing of well-managed improved pastures will substantially offset the very small reduction in stocking rate from caring for these high quality native grassland sites.

Experience also suggests that these few remaining remnants of Kangaroo grass based high conservation sites are usually some of the less productive agricultural land or are practically more difficult to manage and therefore the economics of “improving” them is questionable.

Identifying low and medium conservation value grasslands The principal focus of the strategy is identifying and

5/133 Sharp Street, Cooma NSW 2630 P: 02 6452 7747 E: info@monarolivestock.com.au W: www.monarolivestock.com.au

protecting the few remaining paddocks and patches of high conservation native grassland, however Mr Burge also places a need on identifying medium and low conservation value areas.

Step 1- Is the paddock native or exotic?

Preliminary assessment undertaken when the greatest number of species are present and able to be identified within the paddock or site. On the Monaro, this is early spring when the pasture is relatively low to the ground, which assists with the identification process.

If the percentage cover of introduced plants is greater than 50 percent, it is exotic (introduced).

Step 2- Native pasture or native grassland? (Low or medium conservation value) Native pasture: a paddock with more than 50 percent native ground cover and more than 50 percent of species present introduced (including annuals and perennials).

It may be dominated by only a few (up to four) perennial native grasses and has little or no floristic diversity of native forbs. Low conservation value.

Native grassland: a paddock with more than 50 percent native species with a high number of species of native grasses and forbs. Such a site has greater than 50 percent ground cover of native species but also exhibits a high level of species richness and diversity.

Medium conservation value.

No pristine examples of the endangered Natural Temperate Grasslands of the Southern Tablelands ecological communities are known to exist and high-quality sites of endangered ecological communities are rare. Consensus of opinion that the total area of high quality grasslands which is in the order of three percent of the original extent.

Mr Burge said the single greatest threat to the conservation of the native grassland ecological community on the Monaro is the threat of the highly invasive perennial grass weeds Serrated Tussock, African Lovegrass and Chilean Needlegrass.

Brett Jones, Biosecurity Manager for the Snowy Monaro Regional Council estimates that currently 20 percent or approximately 100,000ha of the Monaro now

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Summary • Total area grazed land on the Monaro: 630,000ha • Total area of exotic pasture: 190,000ha • Total area of native grassland + native pasture: 440,000ha • Area of high quality native grassland (Natural Temperate Grassland): 5,800 to 7,500ha • Area of medium quality native grassland: 90,000ha • Area of low quality native pasture: 342,500ha has a heavy infestation of African Lovegrass and that 50 percent of the region is considered to be “at risk”.

Irrespective of the actual figures today, it is clearly apparent that the combination of these two noxious perennial grass weeds represent the single greatest threat to the preservation and conservation of the Monaro native grasslands.

Mr Burge recommends the following: - Native grasslands of high and medium conservation value should be prioritised for spot spraying in order to bring about the least damage to non-target native species.

- Where the level of infestation exceeds the threshold levels for spot spraying, there is a need to consider either broad-acre spraying or a full pasture development program. Paddocks with exotic pastures or native pastures of low conservation value should be prioritised and earmarked for this full improvement program.

- In order to ensure its effectiveness and the engagement of landholders which is considered so vital to its success, the Monaro Kangaroo Grass Strategy will undertake a major extension campaign, coordinated by Stuart Burge.

Consideration will be given to the development of a formalised training and accreditation process whereby landholders will be required to attend a workshop/field day which provides an overview of the Monaro Kangaroo Grass Strategy with a major focus upon providing skills in paddock assessment and plant identification.

Upon receiving accreditation, landholders may be exempted from the existing regulatory framework which will nevertheless still exist as a necessary “safety net”.

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Your

SPRING 2018

FARM

15

Adina Merino and Poll Merino Stud

Local disease watch Heavy-cutting, superior wool Alexandra Stephens District Veterinarian Yass This month has again seen drought related disorders causing problems for producers and veterinarians.

Bottle jaw has been seen in a number of cases. Bottle jaw is caused by low protein in the blood. This can be caused by parasites (barber’s pole, liver fluke or emerging brown stomach worm) or gut diseases such as Johne’s disease. It can also be caused by chronic malnutrition, therefore it is always beneficial to obtain a diagnosis so that the correct treatment can be given.

Outbreaks of pulpy kidney have been seen, where changes in feed quality or quantity have occurred, such as changes from supplementary feeding to crops. It is a reminder of the importance of the initial priming, second five in one booster, and three-monthly boosters during high risk situations. Animals that have only received a single shot are not protected.

Cases of pregnancy toxaemia, a deficiency of energy, and hypocalcaemia, a deficiency of calcium, have been seen in ewes at or around the time of lambing. Deaths from chronic malnutrition have also been seen. This month there was a higher incidence of lambs and calves born dead, or dying shortly after birth, and cases of calves born with deformities.

Severe outbreaks of pink eye in cattle and sheep have also been seen due to congregation for feeding.

Worm counts conducted now can

greatly assist us with selection of the correct drench as we head into spring, and producers are urged to conduct frequent fecal egg counts to monitor for barber’s pole worm this spring.

Many producers are investing in soundness examinations of their bulls.

It is important to check bulls now and remember that sperm production takes two to three months and bulls need to be sound and in good condition for joining in just six weeks.

Lamb marking is upon us. Every season we see mobs of sheep affected with mycoplasma ovis, a blood parasite, spread by both the stress of marking and the transference of blood at lamb marking. Ensure your lamb marking contractor is taking every precaution against spreading this disease by regularly swapping shears while soaking the others in disinfectant.

Producers are being reminded of both their ethical and legal responsibilities to ensure stock have adequate feed and water.

District veterinarians are also assisting producers and stock carriers in assessment of stock to be ‘fit to load’ or ‘fit for the intended journey’.

Fit to load guidelines are for the welfare of stock to ensure that animals do not go down in trucks where they may be trampled.

Producers need to be very careful that they do not let cattle or sheep lose weight to the point where they are in a low body condition score and may be too weak to load for sale.

More OEH regulation The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) Threatened Species Scientific Committee has made a preliminary determination to list the Monaro Tableland Cool Temperate Grassy Woodland in the South Eastern Highlands Bioregion as a Critically Endangered Ecological Community under the Biosecurity Conservation Act 2016.

The preliminary determination comes as previous native vegetation regulation issues are close to being resolved.

Monaro Farming Systems chair Richard Taylor said the purpose of the preliminary determination is unclear.

“We really don’t understand what it means, which is a large part of the problem,” he said.

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Principals: Ray and Margaret, James and Jules Barron – Adina Partnership Phone: Ray and Margaret 02 6454 3149 James and Jules 02 6454 3015 Email: jimmyb1@bordernet.com.au Flock No: 4156 (Adina Merino Stud Established 1986) 1437 (Adina Poll Merino Stud Established 2011)

Stud History Adina Merino Stud was registered in 1986. Breeding quality Merinos is both the business and the passion of local family Ray and Margaret, James and Julie Barron. Over the years, the aim has been to firstly lower and then maintain micron without sacrificing fleece weight or fertility. Adina sheep have become renowned for their heavy cutting and superior long wool qualities. Rams are run on the tough Monaro and possess hardy constitutions with fine-medium wool on large frames. Adina Poll Merino Stud was registered in 2011 and the use of leading poll sires from around Australia has seen the polls go from strength to strength.

Ray and James continue to see the benefits of selective mating, using sires from not only within the stud, but also sourcing sires from leading Australian studs to introduce new and desirable genetics to assist in achieving long term goals.

2018 has been another busy year on the showing circuit for Adina Merino Stud, entering teams in the local shows, Great Southern Supreme Merino, Sydney Royal, the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo and exhibiting at the South West Slopes Stud Merino Breeders Field Day in Harden. Seasonal conditions on the Monaro meant Adina missed participating in The Rabobank National Merino Show and Sale in Dubbo for the first time in many years.

Again this year Adina achieved great results in the ewe production class at Sydney Royal. Success

www.adinamerinos.com

“It is hard not to interpret this classification as a deliberate attempt to derail the whole process, which would be a real pity.

The Committee stated in the preliminary determination that new data has become available since the original listing in 1995, prompting a review.

More information, including further comment from Mr Taylor and OEH will be available in next week’s Monaro Post October 10.

The preliminary determination is open for submissions until 19 October and is available online at: https://www.environment. nsw.gov.au/resources/ threatenedspecies/determinations/ PDMonaroPDWerriwaCEEC%201. pdf

at this level is recognition that the breeding aims of the stud are being achieved. An Adina four-tooth ewe was the second highest point scoring Merino ewe, cutting 11.4kg of 18.7 micron wool, returning a fleece value of $174 and weighing 99kg shorn with an eye muscle of 40.

In a year that has seen a “better than ever before” wool market, there has never been a better time to be breeding Merinos and Adina are more thankful than ever to be the breeders of heavy cutting, bale filling Merinos. James is well known for saying, “We still get paid by the kilo”, and with wool prices at the high they have been, wool volume remains king for this Monaro stud.

It is an indication of the stud’s standing within the Merino industry that rams and semen have been sold to purchasers in five states of Australia.

2018 sale details Adina Merino Stud will offer 40 Merino Poll Merino Rams for sale by auction on Monday October 22.

Rams will be penned for inspection from 10am with the sale commencing at 12noon. Morning tea and lunch will be provided for your enjoyment.

It’s no secret the dry season that the Monaro has and continues to endure. Despite this, James and Ray are more than happy with the line up of rams Adina will offer at the Annual Ram Sale. The rams are well grown, even, structurally correct, well covered with stylish wool and plenty of it! James believes these rams will certainly enhance the breeding aims of the purchasers.

The change of venue in 2016 has proven to be a great decision, the Annual Ram Sale is now truly an on-property sale, held where Adina rams are born and bred at “Overdale” 2120 Peak View Rd, Peak View via Cooma. The Barron family invite and welcome you to contact them for inspections prior to the day and they hope you will join them for their 18th Annual Merino Ram Sale.

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Monday 22nd October, 2018 Inspections from 10am | Sale commences 12pm Lunch and refreshments provided Inspections prior to sale day are welcome and invited!

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James & Julie Barron Ph: (02) 6454 3015 Email: jimmyb1@bordernet.com.au

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16

SPRING 2018

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Coming into spring with the weather continuing to be dry, it is tempting to hold on to that cereal crop for a few more weeks of feed, especially when it is the only green thing on the farm!

However, this can have serious consequences to a pasture improvement program, particularly with regard to grass weed control.

Silvergrass (Vulpia spp.) and barley grass (Hordeum leporinum) are our two most prevalent grass weeds of concern on the southern Monaro.

Silvergrass residues have an allelopathic effect on the germination of subsequent crops/ pastures. Silvergrass also has a very low palatability and nutritive value.

Barley grass, whilst being reasonable feed over autumn/winter, becomes an issue during spring as seed is a contaminant of wool/skin and causes eye injuries to grazing livestock.

Both grasses compete with crops and pastures for moisture and nutrients, and are an alternative host of crop p diseases.

In our environment, these grass weeds develop a seed head around late September to mid-October, meaning for successful seed-set control, paddocks need to be fallowed by no later than mid-October.

Both barley grass and silvergrass are prolific seed producers, dense stands of silvergrass can produce up to a million seeds/m2.

Silvergrass seed can persist and remain viable for at least three years in the soil, subsequently, missing that fallow spray can set your whole pasture improvement program back up to three years. Fallowing paddocks, if managed right, also gives the opportunity to store summer rainfall for next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crop/pasture. Fallowing also gives more opportunities to control germinations of other problem weeds.

So when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re considering hanging onto feed this spring, consider the consequences to your long term goals with the paddock and whether it is reallyy worth that extra fortnight g of feed!

Pictured top: Seeding a paddock at Delegate Station. Bottom: Dungaree, Ando.

Photos courtesy of Hugh Platts Landmark Bombala/Delegate.

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.com.au

Your

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Greenland Greenland Merino Stud is holding their annual unhoused on-property Ram Sale on Monday October 22 at 3pm. Inspection of this yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Greenland Stud team of Merino and Poll Merino Sale Rams will be from 12noon.

Greenland will also be holding an open day prior to the sale on Saturday October 6 from 9am to 2pm.

The Greenland Merino Stud Ram Sale will be held at Mountain View, on the Snowy River Way, 50km south of Cooma and 50km north of Bombala. The offering will comprise of Merino rams and polled Merino rams. This yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; draft is in excellent working condition and are unhoused, paddock rams.

Greenland Merino Stud has been registered since 1985 and breed Merino sheep that are suited to most environments throughout Australia. This is evidenced by the fact that stud rams are sold to most states of Australia.

Greenland Stud has concentrated

Alcocks offer top performing rams

for 33 years on careful selection through our ewe base with performance recording them.

The rams reflect our breeding objectives of Merino sheep that are structurally sound, well balanced with good white wool, staple length and most importantly they must have a good constitution, be highly fertile with very stylish medium and fine-medium wool and flystrike resistance.

Greenland Merino Stud benchmark their sheep in wether trials, sire evaluations as well as showing at most local shows and most major merino sheep shows having great success with all three, mainly Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Greenland Merino Stud has joined Merino Select and all sale rams have ASBVs. Greenland Merino Stud also had a display at the South West Slopes field day in September. Long time Greenland clients Max and Coral Caldwell have an excellent self replacing flock of highly productive

ess ]

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sheep with adult ewes cutting 8kgs of 18.5 to 20.5-micron wool and hoggets averaging 6kg of 18-micron wool. Ewes are also very fertile with lambing over 100 percent and better.

The overall winners of the previous 2012 to 2015 Schute Bell National Wether Trial were Greenland Blood wethers owned

by Davidson Trading from Yarran at Young.

Greenland is a family run business with John and Jenny Alcock and Greg and Nikki Alcock, the team to talk to on the day.

We provide a free sheep classing service for any clients needing this service and are willing to give any advice on future selection. This is a golden opportunity to purchase top stud rams which are commercially run for commercial conditions.

Merino sheep are a most incredible meat and wool factory which is why we have an everlasting passion for them.

Come and join us for the sale and a barbecue and other refreshments on the day.

Greenland Merino Stud catalogue is available now on www.greenlandmerinos.

com.au. Like us on Facebook, or if you would like to be placed on our mailing list please phone us.

Anyone wishing to have a preview

prior to the sale day are welcome, just phone for an appointment to John 64536244, 0437898982 or Greg 64536206, 0487857821.

18

Your

SPRING 2018

MFS looks to season ahead at field day

Sandy McEachern of Holmes and Sackett.

Rabobank's Craig Croker, Georgie Hood and Hilary Beech from Holmes and Sackett.

As Spring rolls around again, it’s time to reflect on the past few months and look toward the season ahead.

At the Monaro Farming Systems (MFS) annual Spring Field Day in September, about 50 Monaro producers gathered to hear from the experts.

Co-hosted by Rabobank, the field day covered topics including a benchmarking presentation highlighting Monaro grazing industry performance for the last year, economics of lamb finishing for nine pasture systems, the results of recent serrated tussock resistance work and of course, what is at the forefront of most people’s minds, the season and the outlook for the three months ahead.

Seasonal outlook Dry conditions endured through the autumn of 2018 have continued through winter, leaving soils dry and very low herbage mass available for grazing. This has meant conditions from the April projections have followed close to or below the 10th percentile projected by the Bureau of Meteorology.

This spring is shaping to be as bad as some of the worst seasons seen over the past 50 years. The current state of the system with ewes at the low end of their normal range of condition and very low green herbage mass along with very dry soil means that pasture growth response going into spring will be slow, locking us into an ongoing requirement to continue livestock feeding for at least September and most likely well into October.

The much-discussed strategy of early weaning appears to only give reasonable returns for the Delegate locality while all other locations modelled returned 90 percent likelihood of a loss on the decision to wean a month early in mid-November.

Creep feeding remains another potential alternative strategy to lift lamb growth rates

Oli Cay, Luke Pope, Angus Hobson and Kate Waldren.

and weaning weights without having to wean but returns to the strategy remain sensitive to the relative price of supplement and finished lamb.

Lamb finishing It was not all bad news when Doug Alcock, contracted by MFS, presented the results on the profits achievable when finishing lambs on the Monaro. MFS has measured nine various lamb finishing pasture systems including grass and legume based pastures (lucerne, plantain, clover, phalaris, chicory, fescue) and brassica systems over the last spring/ summer as part of an MLA funded Producer Demonstration Site. All input costs were factored in and a full economic analysis was performed for each of the nine systems.

Overall profits ranged from $355/ha/ yr for the lucerne systems, $503/ha/yr for lucerne/phalaris system, $828/ha/yr for a fescue/clover system. The three brassica systems measured ranged from $124/ha/ yr to $361/ha/yr. Overall the take-home message was the obvious significant economic benefits possible from finishing lambs on the Monaro. In all nine systems, profits were considerably higher than the base-line system of selling lambs as stores.

This project will run for a second spring/ summer to strengthen the data set for this practice.

Benchmarking The 2017/18 year for the 15 Monaro farms benchmarked proved to be “pretty good” resulting in a Return on Assets Managed (ROAM) figure of six percent, although not quite as good as the 2014/15 and 2015/16 years, which showed ROAM figures of over eight percent. Once again there was a big variation within the group, with ROAM data ranging from 15 percent for the top performing farms down to -2 percent.

The top five performing

FARM

Florence, Alan, Mark and Lachie McGufficke.

businesses in the group returned a doubling of ROAM compared with the Monaro average.

Beef was the least profitable enterprise for 2017/18 (profit $9/DSE) compared to the top performer wool ($40/DSE).

The Monaro again proved to be “no better place to farm” when compared to the state’s average. The four-year average total return for the top six Monaro businesses was 25 percent, compared to the NSW average of 17 percent.

Changes being instigated from within the group include enterprise rationalisation, improvements in genetics and changes in farm systems.

Rabobank introduced Kim Lee, a farmer from Central West NSW, to describe how benchmarking gave her family business the opportunity to really streamline and improve their business over 20 years and focus on what they were best at.

“We had realised that diversity represented a significant risk for us,” Kim said.

“It had seemed a good succession planning tool and a good investment strategy but was imposing a significant opportunity cost.

“We started looking at what we were best at - growing grass, handling large numbers, making well researched trading decisions and keeping overheads down by expanding not adding labour.”

“Benchmarking made us focus on our relative strengths and gave us an idea of what is possible and why we may or may not achieve it,” she said.

The decisions they made by changing from a merino wool enterprise to a dual purpose enterprise resulted in profit/DSE increasing from $10/DSE to $35/DSE. Serrated tussock resistance is here Serrated tussock is a well-known weed across the Monaro and many producers

continue to feel they are fighting a losing battle against this highly invasive, insidious weed which is infiltrating much of our grasslands.

The two main control options commonly used are flupropanate (e.g. Taskforce, Tussock etc.) and Glyphosate.

Jo Powells, senior agriculture advisor with South East Local Land Services (LLS), gave a presentation on the findings of her two-year project investigating flupropanate resistance in serrated tussock on the Monaro.

“This project was driven by observations and local commentary around poor efficacy of control of the weed using the herbicide,” Jo said.

“The first-year results from the project indicated that there were a few populations of plants that were resistant to flupropanate but that further testing was needed to confirm the extent of the problem.”

The second year of the project expanded the sampling to over 40 sites across the region over summer 2017/18 and seed was sent interstate to a herbicide resistance testing facility for analysis.

“Eighteen samples were found to have a high level of resistance to the herbicide flupropanate. A further 15 were identified as having a weak, but developing resistance to the herbicide.”

This year’s results identified resistance or developing resistance in plants from across the Monaro region, rather than the original “hot-spots”.

Jo said the development of resistance showing up in properties around the Bombala and Delegate districts was alarming, although finding that susceptible plant populations were also widely recorded was slightly reassuring.

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19

SPRING 2018

RIC farm business loans increase from $1m to $2m

Bindaree Merino Stud

Farmers doing it tough due to factors outside their control can now access government-backed low interest loans of up to $2 million.

Up until this week, the maximum amount a farmer could borrow from the RIC was $1 million. The instructions from government have changed, and eligible farmers can now borrow up to $2 million from the RIC. Since launching on 1 July 2018, the RIC has been out talking to farmers and trusted financial influencers about our farm business loans and applications have started to come in.

“Our loans can be used for a variety of farm-related activities including refinance existing commercial debt, or accessing new debt for operating expenses and capital improvements,” interim CEO Matt Ryan said.

“There’s a lot of interest in

refinancing existing debt with the RIC, as the savings are significant – the difference between our 3.58% rate and a commercial rate puts an extra $40,000 into a farmer’s pocket each year when borrowing $2 million.

“Other farmers want to access new debt for operating expenses and capital improvements like paying bills, buying feed, desilting dams, planting new crops or agisting livestock.

“Don’t be reluctant to talk to your bank about refinancing with us. We are taking a partnership approach with the banks, and are getting word out to them about how we will work together for the benefit of the farmer.

“I know this is a busy time, and farmers may assume they’re not eligible for our loans, but they’d be surprised. Instead visit ric.gov.au or call us on 1800 875 675 and tell us about your situation and what your business needs are. Our team is here to help.”

BioWorma fights parasites Henry Clutterbuck, Goulburn District Vet

Melissa, Lawrence and Tiffany Clifford at the 2017 sale.

Below: Ross Walters with Tiffany, Melissa and Lawrence Clifford and the top-selling 2017 ram, Bindaree 355.

In the lead up to Bindaree Merino’s third on-property sale on October 24, the Cliffords have reflected on previous success.

At their first on-property sale in 2016, Ross Walters of ‘Spring Vale’ Numbla Vale, purchased five top-quality rams. The following year when he weaned his lambs, he said they were the evenest he’s had in a long time and was very pleased with them.

Mr Walters had the lambs on a canola crop and they were putting on an average of 1.3kg per week. He kept the wether lamb portion and shore them in the autumn, cutting $42.35 of wool.

He kept them for another two months before selling the wether lambs at nine to 10 months old for $177.82 per head, averaging $221 per head.

At Bindaree’s 2017 sale, Mr Walters was back again and looking to expand his Bindaree bloodline. He purchased the top price ram Bindaree 355 for $2500.

In July of this year BioWorma® was added to the integrated parasite management arsenal. BioWorma is a fungus that acts in the faeces to trap and eat worm larvae. Thus it disrupts the round worm life cycle on the pasture, including barber’s pole worm.

The product works through the action of the fungus Duddingtonia flagrans (DF). The ingested spores in BioWorma are passed through the animal and onto the paddock in the faeces. The spores germinate in the faeces and form a fungal network that traps the worm larvae.

Feeding of BioWorma daily will assist in the reduction of paddock contamination with infective worm larvae.

International Animal Health Products, the makers of BioWorma, claim that larval counts are reduced on pastures by up to 84 percent in horses; 81 percent in cattle; 86

percent in goats; 68 percent in sheep.

Daily feeding is required to maintain the activity of DF and long term use will not establish DF on the pasture.

Feeding can occur at any time during the year depending upon the type of operation. It is recommended that BioWorma be used strategically during periods when weather conditions are warm and wet and conducive to larval development and transmission onto pasture. It is recommended that producers begin to use BioWorma when stock are moved onto a clean paddock to reduce overall contamination. It is important to note that whilst Bioworma will start acting immediately on emerging larvae it will not affect any larvae already emerged on the pasture. Therefore, use with an effective drench is recommended.

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3rd On Property Ram Sale Wednesday 24th October 2018 Inspections 2pm - Sale 3.30pm Offering - 24 Rams - 1 Year old 30 Grade Rams After Sale

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Mr Ross Walters of Spring Vale Numblavale, purchased five rams at our first on property sale in 2016. The following year when he weaned his lambs he said they were the evenest he’s had in a long time and was very pleased with them. Mr Walters had the lambs on a canola crop and they were putting on an average of 1.3kg per week. He kept the wether lamb portion and shore them in the autumn cutting $42.35 of wool and kept them for another two months selling the wether lambs at 9 to 10 months old for $177.82 per head, averaging in total $221.00 per head.

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SPRING 2018

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Tim Shepherd has been appointed interim wild dog coordinator for the South East as part of the wild dog destruction blitz, which began on September 17.

Mr Shepherd has been in the role since September 6 and has committed to six months as interim coordinator.

The blitz was announced by John Barilaro at an East Monaro/Central South Coast Wild Dog Management Group meeting on July 20. The NSW Government stopped

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controversial changes to the management of wild dogs which were proposed by Local Land Services (LLS).

Member of Monaro John Barilaro welcomed Mr Shepherd into the role of interim wild dog coordinator and said wild dogs in the South East are a serious issue, with dogs having a devastating effect on local farmers and their business. â&#x20AC;&#x153;South East LLS will be coordinating a destruction blitz throughout the region to combat the effects of wild dogs and I look forward to working with Mr Shepherd to ensure the best possible outcomes for local producers,â&#x20AC;? Mr Barilaro said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mr Shepherd will be responsible for overseeing wild dog management operations in the region and will

ensure the use of a nil tenure approach.â&#x20AC;?

Mr Shepherd has been involved in wild dog management in the South East for over a decade and said he is very keen to continue to work in this area. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am looking forward to getting out into the community and engaging with the wild dog management groups, and working with the Pest Animal Controllers across the agencies to see how I can best support them,â&#x20AC;?

Mr Shepherd said.

In the role, Mr Shepherd will facilitate the engagement between public land managers, agencies and private land managers.

This will involve the continued support of the 13 existing wild dog management plans and supporting the development of consistent coordination

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and collaboration on wild dog management outcomes across the South East. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I will be making sure the agencies, being LLS, NPWS and Forestry, are working together and wild dogs are managed as sensibly as possible,â&#x20AC;?

Mr Shepherd said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll also be reviewing the wild dog management plans, which is necessary because the legislation has changed with the new Biosecurity Act,â&#x20AC;? he said.

The management plan reviews will be happening in early November for Bombala and late November for Shannons Flat.

Mr Shepherd will be facilitating that process.

South East Local Land Services General Manager Anthony Marshall said Mr Shepherd brings a wealth of knowledge and previous wild dog management experience to the role. He was

High

Coun

previously regional manager of National Parks and Wildlife Service for the Far South Coast and project manager for wild dog management with South East LLS. He has been involved with wild dog management for over 15 years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tim was instrumental in formulating the existing South East Local Land Services wild dog strategy and has worked closely with many of the wild dog management groups in the region over a number of years,â&#x20AC;? Mr Marshall said.

Mr Shepherd commenced in the role earlier in September and his first task will be engaging with land managers and agencies on ways to strengthen the local plans.

Pictured:Tim Shepherd has been appointed interim wild dog coordinator for the South East.

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Your

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21

SPRING 2018

Conrayn Merino & Poll Stud What is feed costing you?

Exceptional year, exceptional rams

Continue grain feeding or risk a forage crop?

The decision to continue grain feeding or risk planting a forage crop is an important consideration in these difficult times. We can come to a decision by looking at the numbers and projected costs involved in each.

To feed a 20-25kg lamb barley to finish at 40-45kg in 100 days will require adequate metabolisable energy to gain 200g/d which equates to around 1kg barley/day. Therefore, over 100 days that lamb requires 100kg of barley. If current barley prices are $400/t, it will cost you $40/head to finish lambs plus the cost of getting out there and making them eat it.

So what will it cost to feed forage?

We know in a dry year like this noone is counting on a great yield. So how poorly can say, a rape crop yield before it is cheaper to keep feeding barley for example? The answer is quite poorly (for the rape). To break even against barley, we only need 1.5t/ha dry matter which is less than 20 percent of the district average (not even optimum) of 8t/ha dry matter.

At 1.5t/ha dry matter it will cost you

$37/hd. This break-even analysis is inclusive of all inputs including labor, diesel, fertilizer, chemical and seed.

If you’re engaging a contractor to spray and sow, the minimum yield of the rape can get as poor as 2t/ha dry matter, or 25 percent before barley comes out on top. Given the current drought conditions these questions are perhaps more important than ever.

Most livestock businesses are doing it tough financially as feed bills mount up. To know what the cost of seeing yourself through and judge where you might save a few dollars along the way could add valuable perspective to the future of your business.

Bullas Ag solutions can provide assistance with; • Feed budgeting for all classes of livestock on all feed types.

• Pasture improvement, maintenance and risk assessments.

Kathryn Bullas ABN 65 116 041 732 PO Box 138, Bombala NSW 2632 Mob. 0412 906 308 Email. bullas.agsolutions@gmail. com

LLS gets deer control funding Fourteen groups and organisations have been successful in their project proposals to target pest and weed management to build drought resilience across NSW. The $1.5 million 2018 Pest and Weed Drought Funding Program, funded by the Australian Government Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper, will be administered by LLS over a one year period.

LLS assessed proposals received in July, with a panel of one member independent of LLS and three LLS staff members. Each project proposal was scored against assessment criteria and ranked consistently across all eligible LLS regions.

Funding was allocated to

organisations and groups from across the state without consideration to LLS boundaries and targeted wild dogs, feral pigs, rabbit and deer and weeds.

These projects will help land managers reduce grazing pressure and stock losses caused by pest animals, as well as to manage the spread of weeds.

South East Local Land Services has been successful in gaining funding for the Grosses Plains, Mowamba and Ingebyra Feral Deer Control Initiative.

The program will complement the objectives of the Regional Strategic Pest Animal Management Plans, developed by Regional Pest Animal Committees in collaboration with key stakeholders.

Conrayn Merino and Poll Stud have had an exceptional year, bringing home the Supreme Merino Exhibit from the Sydney Royal Show and winning several ribbons at the National Sheep and Wool Show and Sale at Bendigo, including: • Champion March Shorn Superfine Ram ; • Champion March Shorn Superfine Ewe • Champion NSW Fleece (Winning fleece tested 15.9 micron, 93mm with a skirted weight of 5.5kg, 43nkt) • Champion Superfine Fleece • Champion Ultrafine Fleece Conrayn will have 50 one-year-old rams on offer at their on-property annual ram sale on the new date of Tuesday November 13.

Inspections can take place from 10am with the sale to start at 12 noon.

Pete and Jayne Lette believe their rams are

looking well and they are very pleased with them.

They have good fine, superfine and ultrafine wool, and with a strong wool market they are looking forward to the sale.

There will be a light luncheon provided on the day, and Pete and Jayne are looking forward to seeing everyone at the sale.

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SPRING 2018

Your

FARM

Strong demand for lamb meets tightening supply

Intensifying poor conditions across many of Australia’s key sheep production areas have seen a significant upward revision of sheep slaughter forecasts for 2018 in Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) Sheep Industry Projections September update.

Annual lamb slaughter is now projected to be 22.9 million head for 2018, up two percent on 2017, while sheep slaughter is forecast to reach 9.3 million head, up 23 percent on 2017 levels.

MLA’s Market Intelligence Manager, Scott Tolmie, said it has been a year of extremes so far for the Australian lamb market, with prices soaring into uncharted territory as strong demand meets tightening supply.

“Australian lamb prices have been rising strongly since April, breaking records as they smashed through the 700c and 800c/kg carcase weight marks for the first time,” Mr Tolmie said.

“Poor seasonal conditions and high feed costs have led to a waning supply of finished lambs as the year has progressed. This, combined with strong international demand, has resulted in fierce competition for a diminishing supply and driven up prices across the board.

“The dry conditions drove increased lamb slaughter for the first half of the year, spiking in the second quarter of 2018 as conditions worsened and producers looked to destock. This peaked in June with the highest month of lamb slaughter on record.

“Lamb slaughter has fallen in recent months due to the delay in new season lambs entering the market.

“With no indication of improved seasonal conditions in the short-term, reports suggest there will be greater numbers of light weight, unfinished new season lambs coming onto the market this year, as many producers in drought-stricken NSW and northern Victoria face challenging feed conditions.

“The timing and quality of the new season lamb crop will have a large impact on prices for the rest of 2018.”

Mr Tolmie said while strong lamb and mutton prices have been a motivating factor to maintain or build flock numbers, the lack of rain across much of Australia has put a lot of pressure on producers to de-stock or supplementary feed.

Mr Tolmie said the ongoing dry conditions had also placed downward pressure on carcase weights, with the national average lamb carcase weight for 2018 forecast to be two percent lower than 2017 and the average sheep carcase weight down eight percent, at 23kg.

“In terms of lamb production, lighter carcase weights are expected to offset the year-on-year rise in slaughter in 2018. Total lamb production forecast for the year is 511,000 tonnes carcase

Your

FARM

weight (cwt), which is very similar to year-ago levels,” Mr Tolmie said.

“Higher sheep slaughter, only partly offset by lighter carcases, has lifted forecast mutton production to 213,000 tonnes cwt for 2018 – an increase of 13 percent from 2017.”

Looking at the export market, Mr Tolmie said strong global demand for Australian sheepmeat, combined with the softer Australian dollar and constrained domestic supplies out of New Zealand, have supported record export volumes and values.

“Lamb exports between January and August increased 12 percent, to a record 183,000 tonnes shipped weight (swt), while mutton shipments surged 25 percent, to 105,000 tonnes swt,” Mr Tolmie said.

“Furthermore, the unit value of Australian lamb exports for the year-to-July reached new record highs, at A$8/kg, and was mirrored in mutton, which climbed to A$5.88/kg for the same period.

“These factors saw the value of Australian sheepmeat exports last financial year hit new heights, at A$3.29 billion, up 24 percent year-on-year. Nonetheless the domestic market remains the single most valuable for the industry with Australians the world’s largest consumers of lamb on a per capita basis.”

MLA provides a range of market information services including daily red meat market news updates, regional saleyard reports, live export information and price indicators. To read more or to subscribe to regular market information, visit the Prices & Markets section of MLA’s website: https://www.mla.com.au/prices-markets/Trendsanalysis/.

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LANDMARK STUD STOCK CALENDAR

OCTOBER 2018 MERINO RAM SALE WEEK

Monday 22nd:

ADINA on property Ram Sale “Overdale,” Peak View 12 noon Greenland on property ram sale “Mountain View”, Cooma 3pm

Tuesday 23rd:

Monaro White Wool Ram Sale Cooma Show Ground 1pm Boudjah & Snowy Plain

Wednesday 24th: Carleon Park Ram Sale Cooma Show Ground 9am Bindaree on property Ram Sale “Bindaree,” Rocky Plain 3pm Thursday 25th:

Cottage Park on property Ram Sale “Cottage Park,” Cooma 3pm

Friday 26th:

Manawa on property Ram Sale “Spring Creek” Berridale 2pm

Cooma - 6452 6565 Rick Power 0437 131 925 Myles Buchanan 0418 410 983 Damien Roach 0427 235 250

Your

FARM

SPRING 2018

Women on the land: Pam Shelley

Pam and Malcolm Shelley own the property Kaludah at Rock Flat between Cooma and Nimmitabel where they run sheep and Hereford cattle.

Before moving to Kaludah, Pam was born and lived at Gunyah on the other side of Cooma. Her great great great grandfather James Hain came to the Monaro in 1852 and first settled at Rock Flat only 5km from where she lives now. Upon moving to Cooma, he built the Raglan Gallery and other buildings in Cooma.

Her father Ken Hain started the very successful Gunyah Merino Stud and as time went by started a cattle stud with Herefords. This was a sterling achievement having been struck down with polio at the age of 21, leaving him severely handicapped with no use of his legs. Despite this he was determined to go on the land and achieve amazing things, such as sitting on a box to shear sheep and sitting on the tractor all day, having to be helped on and off each time. Pam says she learnt a great deal from her father when she was growing up. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Living with a handicap father I soon learnt to help and at 12 years could milk the cow and shoe my horse,â&#x20AC;? Pam said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And so much of my knowledge of sheep and cattle came from listening to my father. This started my love of the land and animals.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was sent to Meriden Church of England boarding school in Sydney and always ticked the days off to get home for holidays to help. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I thought I might go to university and do wool technology or be a geologist, but once I left school and got home, that was it. I just wanted to work on Gunyah.â&#x20AC;?

The Kaludah Hereford stud was started 48 years ago.

Kaludah was very influenced by a bull called Injemira Duke J273 bought in 1992 at the Sydney Royal show for $55,000. There he was Grand Champion of all Breeds and Pam says he left some magnificent progeny. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have been selling and showing bulls at the National Hereford Show and Sale at Wodonga for 32 years and have been most successful exhibitor for 25 of those years.

Kaludah has achieved many Grand Champions and set a record at the time of $52,000 for Kaludah Macka, sold to South Boorook. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Recently I have been fortunate to breed Kaludah Rambo G230, Grand Champion at Wodonga and set a record EMA of 156cm,â&#x20AC;? Pam said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I believe he is a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;once in a life time bullâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. So chocfull of meat and an amazing temperament that is passing on to his progeny.â&#x20AC;?

Pam has been judging cattle since starting the stud in 1970. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I believe we are never too old to learn and when you think you know everything, you know nothing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is very important to breed what the market requires, and I believe every breed has its good and bad ones. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is very rewarding when a bull breeds exceptionally well for the client who bought it.â&#x20AC;?

Pam believes men and women are different, and each has their strengths and weaknesses. Working on the land involves very physical work, and men are able to do many jobs that women canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. Watching her father as she grew up, Pam was raised to be very determined and independent and in that way she believes she is just as capable as a man in some ways.

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Australia - Wide 1800 816 887 www.grainpro.com.au

Apply now for Cooma TAFEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new ag course Young people in the Monaro community have the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills needed to build a strong fulfilling career in the agriculture industry.

Cooma TAFE will be running an Agriculture Pre-Apprenticeship course later this month.

The course provides an introduction to working in the Agriculture Sector.

It includes seven weeks of tuition and one week of work placement.

This course also provides knowledge and practical skills to work effectively in the agriculture industry.

Students will learn work health safety in an agriculture workplace

environment, handling livestock, installing and maintaining farm fencing, applying farm chemicals, and safe operation of quad bikes. All of these are highly sought-after practical skills.

The course will run at Cooma TAFE from October 15 to December 7, two days per week for seven weeks, plus work placement.

The course is also running at Goulburn TAFE from October 28 with three days per week for five weeks, plus work placement.

To get involved in this course, call TAFE on 131 601, or call into the campus on Commissioner Street, Cooma.

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23

24

Fight against hunger

(Image from Food and Agriculture Organizations of the United Nations) World Food Day, 16 October 2018 World Food Day is one of the most celebrated events of the UN calendar as over 150 countries hold events to celebrate the creation of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), as well as dedicate the day to tackling global hunger where people from all around the world declare their commitment to eradicate worldwide hunger in our lifetime.

HOPE Australia would like you to join us in promoting the awareness and action of those suffering from hunger and struggling to have food security and nutritious diets. In our world of 7.6 billion people, food is a basic and fundamental human right denied to 60 percent of women and 815 million still suffer from hunger though, worldwide there is enough food produced for everyone. This banner of 2018 theme #ZeroHunger for World Food Day greets us as we open FAOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website. We need to work together to ensure everyone, everywhere, has access to the safe, healthy and nutritious food they need.

This is the time to challenge ourselves and rethink the choice of our food, be mindful about the origins of our food and the

positive impact on our food system in the face of an ageing farming population, of obesity and malnutrition. The older generations can also set good examples for the younger ones - or each other - by choosing to buy local (and teach the children about food, and engage with the community farmers), and avoid food wastage. Donating nonperishable food that we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t use is a good start, and doing â&#x20AC;&#x153;takeawaysâ&#x20AC;? whenever we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t finish food from dining out is another. Cutting out processed food (artificially created with chemicals to make us addicted to it) for our own benefit is also how we reduce obesity and improve our overall health. World Food Day aims to help us invest in the future of food by passing on knowledge and mindset of a more sustainable lifestyle with food.

If you have an event about World Food Day, you can contact them here via their extensive reach on social media so they can include it on their World Food Day map. This is also a chance to connect with groups like HOPE Inc. to learn more on how we can play a bigger part to achieve a #ZeroHunger world.

Check out HOPE Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s webpage at http://www.hopeaustralia.org.au/.

SPRING 2018

Your

FARM

Telehealth services combatting rural mental health

Counselling service Virtual Psychologist offers free 24-hour psychological counselling via SMS, online chat, email and over the phone.

Where applicable, face-to-face services can be requested through Aussie Helpers and a mental health clinician will either be sourced from the local community or flown in from a regional town.

Virtual Psychologist is serviced by qualified psychologists and mental health professionals who have years of experience and a connection to the farming community. All of the team have either worked within a farming community directly or have grown up in rural areas themselves.

The latest statistics from Virtual Psychologist show 68 percent of users were male and 42 percent were in the 22-29 age bracket.

Other telehealth services, such as Best Doctors, have had proven success in the mental health space, reducing depression, anxiety and stress symptoms by 40 percent. Furthermore, Best Doctors are well versed in dealing with rural specific and nuanced issues, as 80 percent of their cases live in rural settings.

These virtual health platforms have numerous other benefits for the rural population including: â&#x20AC;˘ Increased convenience individuals have to access the best quality care no matter where they are in the country â&#x20AC;˘ Increased accessibility - able to have a direct conversation with international medical experts â&#x20AC;˘ High standard of integrated care - access to leading experts in multiple medical disciplines in the one place â&#x20AC;˘ Greater knowledge - help individuals to better understand their conditions and play an active role in their treatment journey.

If you would like to contact a mental health professional through Virtual Psychologist, call 0404 032 249, text 0488 807 266, email admin@virtualpsychologist.com.au or visit THE EMERGENCE OF TELEHEALTH virtualpsychologist.com.au to use the online chat The National Rural Health Alliance welcomes service.

To find out more about Best Doctors, visit recent announcements by the Federal Government to fund extra online and phone bestdoctors.com counselling services for country Australia.

It comes as no surprise that the effects of drought are taxing on farmers and their families; seeing the land and stock they love suffer takes a large toll on emotional wellbeing.

The recent Australian Rural Mental Health Study found the incidence of drought-related stress was higher among younger farmers who were living and working on a farm, located in remote areas and experiencing financial hardship.

A lack of mental health professionals in rural and remote areas compared to metropolitan areas is contributing to the problem.

New data from the National Rural Health Alliance shows if you live in a major city there are 16 psychiatrists for every 100,000 people, but in very remote areas there are just two per 100,000.

For every 100,000 people in major cities there are 120 psychologists. In very remote areas that number drops to just 25. There are 94 mental health nurses per 100,000 in cities, yet just 29 per 100,000 people living in very remote areas. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This analysis reveals that the further you live from a major city, the more trouble you will have finding mental health care,â&#x20AC;? Mark Diamond, National Rural Health Alliance CEO said.

Nearly twice the number of people in remote areas attend emergency for a mental health issue than in major cities due to a lack of mental health workers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If emergency is the only service available, country people are more likely to delay seeking help, especially if they have to travel long distances to reach a hospital,â&#x20AC;? Mr Diamond said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The upshot is their mental illness has probably reached crisis point by the time they try to access care - making it much harder to recover. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need to overhaul the way we think about mental health workforce in rural areas.â&#x20AC;?

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SPRING 2018

Senate to shine spotlight on Australia’s growing feral deer, pig and goat problem for environment A new senate inquiry into the growing impacts of deer, pigs and goats in Australia will put a national spotlight on the destruction wrought by these feral animals on the country’s natural environment and farming communities.

“This inquiry will bring an important national focus to a nationally significant environmental and agricultural threat,” said Invasive Species Council CEO Andrew Cox. “We are hoping it will identify national priorities for research, policy reform and management of these destructive animals.

“Feral deer, pigs and goats are a major growing problem for the natural environment, farmers and Australian public.

“Deer populations in particular have grown exponentially in recent decades.

In Victoria they are believed to number in the millions, in NSW they cover over one sixth of the state and there are more than 40,000 feral deer in Tasmania.”

Feral pigs can be found across Australia, but are most abundant in New South Wales and Queensland, where they have recently expanded their range. They pose a risk to many other areas, including large parts of the Kimberley.

Feral goats are also found in all states and territories, but are largely absent from mainland Northern Territory. The greatest numbers of goats in the arid and

rangelands are found in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia.

Feral deer are particularly worrying. They have the potential to spread across most of Australia and cause severe environmental and economic harm. They also pose a serious risk to motorists.

Deer were introduced into Australia the mid-1800s for hunting. Wild populations have established due to deliberate releases and escapes from deer farms. Feral deer occur mainly in south-eastern Australia (where they were released or escaped), but could occupy most of the continent.

Six species of deer have established

in the wild – sambar, fallow, red, chital, hog and rusa. They occupy a wide variety of habitats including temperate forests, montane and arid woodlands, grasslands, tropical savanna and rainforest.

As a recent scientific review of deer impacts stated, ‘Northern Australia could be the next frontier for deer invasion’ – four species are well suited to the tropical and subtropical climates of the north.

Research will be a key focus of the inquiry. The Centre for Invasive Species Solutions has just commenced four deer research projects, with $8.7 million direct and in-kind funding from Australian Government, NSW, QLD, Vic, SA.

The committee is to report to the Senate

by February 2019 and will set submission dates in the coming week.

Terms of reference for the inquiry by the Senate Environment and Communications References Committee The impact of feral deer, pigs and goats in Australia, and national priorities to prevent the problems worsening for the natural environment, community and farmers, including: (a) the current and potential occurrence of feral deer, pigs and goats across Australia; (b) the likely and potential biosecurity risks and impacts of feral deer, pigs and goats on the environment, agriculture, community safety and other values; (c) the effectiveness of current state and national laws, policies and practices in limiting spread and mitigating impacts of feral deer, pigs and goats; (d) the efficacy and welfare implications of currently available control and containment tools and methods, and the potential for new control and containment tools and methods; (e) priority research questions; (f) the benefits of developing and fully implementing national threat abatement plans for feral deer, pigs and goats; and (g) any other related matters.

26

SPRING 2018

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;The strategy needs to be expanded to other The National Rural Health Alliance â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s umbrella rural health organisation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; has called professions and consumer organisations that on the Federal Government to work with it to deliver these vital health services across the develop and implement â&#x20AC;&#x153;Phase 2â&#x20AC;? of a National country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The issues of rural health workforce, access Rural Health Strategy.

Alliance Chair, Tanya Lehmann, said the to adequate health services, the poor state of Alliance was best placed to provide expert advice Indigenous health and the need to ensure better across the rural health sector in the development connectivity in rural areas is crucial and we are of the new rural health strategy, as announced in best placed to provide the knowledge, expertise, data and networks to assist the development and the May Budget.

Ms Lehmann said the Alliance and its 37 roll out of the rural health strategy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And above all this, members represented â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; activity and services we strongly urge the a â&#x20AC;&#x153;one stop shopâ&#x20AC;? impact upon the lives of some seven million re-appointment of a for the Government, Australians, who represent the economic Minister for Rural Health and was able to provide direct access heartland. And the rural health sector is a $16 to oversee this activity.â&#x20AC;? to service providers billion-plus industry according to the Australian The Alliance Institute of Health and Welfare,â&#x20AC;? and consumers in the wrapped up its Annual Ms Lehmann said. bush.

General Meeting â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and CouncilFest activity and services activities with a series impact upon the lives of some seven million of meetings with more than 30 Federal MPs Australians, who represent the economic from all parties to promote health initiatives that heartland. And the rural health sector is a $16 improve the lot of those living in remote and rural billion-plus industry according to the Australian communities around Australia.

Institute of Health and Welfare,â&#x20AC;? Ms Lehmann The visits are the culmination of the Allianceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s said. three-day CouncilFest activities which have â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Government allocated $550 million included celebrating its 25th anniversary as towards a rural health strategy in the May Budget the national advocate for rural health, the which is a fantastic start, and we stand ready confirmation of its Reconciliation Action Plan and to help extend the strategy to all areas of health the election of its Board and Chairperson for the delivery and service to the community. next 12 months.

Supermarket milk levy an insult to dairy farmers doing it tough

NSW Farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association says retailers must end the discounting of dairy products if they are serious about supporting dairy farmers Recently Coles and Woolworths both announced 10 cent levies on top of their dollar-a litre milk designed to go back to help farmers during drought.

Chair of the NSW Farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Dairy Committee Erika Chesworth said the â&#x20AC;&#x153;milk levyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; is not a long term solution to the dairy crisis, and is urging Coles and Woolworths to pay farmers what they deserve. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The milk levy is an insult to farmers.

Farmers are completely disillusioned by these announcements and morale has plummeted, with many considering how they can continue. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The supermarkets have a responsibility to treat farmers fairly. Farmers need to be able

to receive fair prices in both good and bad years to ensure they have good business resilience and that we have a sustainable dairy industry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dairy farmers are doing it tough at the moment and the big supermarkets must show leadership to ensure farmers receive fair prices and the industry is sustainable, but their response has just been a marketing ploy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have grave concerns that dairy farmers will not actually receive any benefits from the announced price increases. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Farmers know the proposed drought relief range will divert sales away from branded products and are very concerned about it further

diminishing the value within the dairy supply chain. There is no guarantee it will go to dairy farmers as it is flowing through drought relief funds.â&#x20AC;?

NSW Farmers is calling for an end to discounting of all dairy products to ensure dairy farmers are able to risk proof their business and to ensure a sustainable industry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We demand supermarkets come on board and put in place real change for all dairy to rectify the damage caused by last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s announcements and before the supply of fresh dairy products is further eroded,â&#x20AC;? Ms Chesworth concluded.

Your

SPRING 2018

FARM

Aerial spraying, the Drought changes flow safe and fast option

Lower than predicted inflows into Jindabyne Dam as a result of the prolonged dry conditions have impacted on the ability to deliver the planned largest environmental water release into the Snowy River this year, NSW Department of Industry, Director Water Science Lynn Tamsitt said recently.

“The initial planned flushing flow would have seen water released over the dam spillway, in order to achieve the desired flow rate into the Snowy River,” Ms Tamsitt said.

“Inflows into Jindabyne Dam in recent months have been less than anticipated, and the Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting below average rainfall to continue at least into December, which means the water level in the dam is likely to be insufficient to release water over the spillway.

“While using the spillway for the flushing flow is not possible, there is sufficient water within the dam to achieve similar positive environmental outcomes for the October 17 event by modifying the duration of the water released from the dam on that day through the cone valves infrastructure.”

Ms Tamsitt said the initial planned flow rate of 8,620 megalitres per day (ML/d) over an eight hour period would be replaced with a flow rate of 5,000 ML/d over a 24 hour period, occurring between 8.00am on Wednesday October 17 and 8.00am Thursday October 18, before dropping back to 1,996 megalitres per day for the remainder of Thursday.

“The revised flow rate is expected to see the river water level at Dalgety rise from 1.05m to 1.54m, an increase of 0.49m, which is 0.3m less than the previous planned rise.

“It is important to note that water released at Jindabyne will take about five to six hours to reach Dalgety Weir at this flow rate.

“Landholders downstream of the Jindabyne Dam are advised to note the revised flow rates and longer duration of this event and take all necessary precautions with stock, fencing and property in proximity to the river,” Ms Tamsitt said.

The environmental changes from this release are expected to be greatest between the dam wall to the junction with the Delegate River. However, the pulse will be noticeable down to the estuary in Victoria.

The remaining planned high-flow releases into the Snowy River are: • Wednesday 3 October – equivalent peak flow 2,720 ML/d for eight hours (no change) • Wednesday 17 October – equivalent peak flow 5,000 ML/d for 24 hours (largest flow - changed) • Wednesday 31 October – equivalent peak flow 2,140 ML/d for eight hours (no change) Further information about the Snowy River environmental releases is available on the department’s website - www. i nd ust ry.nsw.gov. a u/ w a te r/ ba si nscatchments/snowy-river/initiative/ increased-flows

POLL HEREFORDS DELEGATE JA & RM TESCHKE

REGISTERED BULLS FOR PRIVATE SALE OPEN DAY JANUARY 29, 2019

Sires include Days Uriah J18 and Warrensville Southern Cross J149

LOT 9

Contact for catalogue contact John Teschke 0433 881 574 Ros Teschke (02) 6458 8157

LOT 5

It is with no doubt winter has been drier that one would like. But for those farmers who have had some rain it is important not to let your weeds get on top of you.

Now is the time to prepare for the warmer months ahead by taking control of your weeds, allowing for the encouragement of pasture growth.

History will show in times like this, where seasonal rains and weather patterns are changeable, it is important to make the most of what you’ve got.

Over the past few months, Rotor Solutions have seen many of their customers do just this.

Not only by controlling the weed growth and spread in their pasture with aerial spraying but taking the opportunity to add a boost to their soil and paddocks. With uncertain times ahead for the rest of spring and summer, your pasture and your stock will be thankful for it.

Whether it be solid or liquid fertiliser, or weed spraying, helicopter is a great form of application

to all areas of your property, including and most importantly to those hard to reach spots. Not only is it the fastest and most efficient way to apply such products, it is also the safest.

“Too many farmers spend countless hours up the side of steep hills putting themselves in danger, and u n f o r t u n a t e l y, we all know of someone who has come off worse because of it,” said Monique Acton-Adams of Rotor Solutions.

“It is important to us that we offer a service that makes farming more practical, time and cost saving, but also safer. Which is why the helicopter, piloted by an experienced pilot, is the safest option in the hills and in many farming situations,” she said.

Whilst many think the only service a helicopter can provide is aerial spraying, there

is so much more. Rotor Solutions’ knowledge, experience and customer care makes them the only number you need.

Owner Hugh ActonAdams’ agricultural experience is second to none.

“We pride ourselves on being a family run business, built on Hugh’s extensive experience, as well as a passion for customer service and an understanding of farmer’s needs,”

27

Monique said.

To show their support to the NSW farmers struggling through the drought, farmers who are the backbone of this country, Rotor Solutions have committed to donating a portion of all sales in September to Buy A Bale.

Call today to discuss your needs for this season, including aerial spraying of St Johns Wort, Briars and Tussock, as well as seeding and fertiliser.

Designed by The Monaro Post

TUESDAY 23 OCTOBER 2018 RD

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Darren Steinke Cooma Ph 02 6450 1066

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3rd & 4th

MAY 2019

See what the Monaro can produce.

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Transport & refreshmentsprovided at a small price.

AN AGRIBUSINESS DEDICATED TO YOU. BRANCH MANAGER Sam Green: 0428 973 520 WOOL Sam Green: 0428973520

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