Farms & Farm Machinery Issue 445

A Queensland farmer’s experience with the Rata Equipment Power Claw has been so positive that he has opted to

>> Page 10

Three

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20 Grants offered to reduce Victorian emissions

21 A BARES forecasts second highest production

22 National Centre for Farmer Health opens new premises

22 Nutrien to build new Perth distribution centre

23 Drought support package offered in South Australia

23 Port of Narungga opened for harvest season

24 Online tool developed to combat on-farm crime

24 Scholarships given to young Victorian leaders

25 TMA releases latest dealer sentiment survey

Dealer news

30 Three Rivers Machinery and Merlo Australia remains strong

Event news

46 Full 2025 events calendar

62 Australians invited to set up a BarbeCure to raise money

Opinion

54 WAFarmers CEO Trevor Whittington says attempts to close a rural school bus route is damaging the fabric of communities

Market news

57 National tractor sales recorded another decline in November, the Tractor and Machinery Association says

items 4 Editor’s note

List your item for sale!

K Diesel Services appointed Victorian dealer for a major power OEM

Top Talent Weld Australia recognised the best talent in Victoria and Tasmania at its recent awards showcase

Welcome

to the latest edition of Farms & Farm Machinery

While farming is a year-round operation that never stops, there is something about a new year which provides a symbolic opportunity to take stock, reflect, and anticipate the year ahead.

We might not know what 2025 holds for the farming sector in terms of weather, crop success and the influence of political, economic and societal factors on Australian agriculture, but Farms & Farm Machinery w ill help farmers prepare by sharing as much information about the industry as we can.

To start 2025, we have published a full year events calendar so farmers can start planning which field days and other events they wish to attend throughout the year.

We also look ahead to the new year with forecasts from ABARES and Rabobank about what they anticipate for different agricultural sectors.

On the cover of this edition, we speak to a customer who enjoyed Rata Equipment’s Power Claw – the “farmer’s friend” as he described it – so much that he immediately bought a second one for his farm, along with a bale clamp from the same company.

This edition has also allowed us to go into depth profiling a number of people, programs and research which will no doubt influence the longer-term future of Australian agriculture.

One of these is Olga Davis, whose Down Under Homestead project is helping people learn to grow and preserve their own food.

Another is a detailed look about research which has found an ‘off switch’ to reduce excessive nitrogen fixation in legumes – a discovery which could lead to increased crop yields and reduce fertiliser reliance.

The next big discovery or innovation

could come in the horticulture space, thanks to an industry-specific venture capital fund which aims to invest big into products and services to help that industry with its challenges. We learn more about what this will entail.

Also in this edition, we highlight a sprayer lubrication kit available through JSG Indus trial Systems which aims to make protecting this expensive piece of machinery easy while keeping it running at its best.

We speak to New South Wales Merlo deal er Three Rivers Machinery and discover what they believe makes the manufactur er’s products so good.

T his edition also highlights the product range available through Bourgault, along with a look at the telehandler which is the latest addition to Brisbane Mini Excavator Sales’ Hercules offering.

Plenty of industry news also looks at topical issues for agriculture, including a detailed dive into the latest Tractor and Ma chinery Association’s business sentiment survey.

Happy new year to all readers and may 2025 be a prosperous one.

Lincoln Bertelli Editor

Healthy habits

Using videos, e-Books and printable resources, Olga Davis’ Down Under Homestead project is helping people learn to grow and preserve their own food

From city life in Kazakhstan to farm life in regional Victoria, Olga Davis has had quite the journey.

Having moved to Australia only eight years ago, she immediately felt accepted in the country due to the multicultural nature of Melbourne – where she was living at the time.

Before meeting her now husband, who is originally from country Victoria, Olga had never imagined living on a farm.

However, this became increasingly a reality for her when her husband had mentioned that he would like to move back to the rural life.

“I had these assumptions that we would be living out in the middle of nowhere,” Olga says.

“As an immigrant, I was already on the other side of the world from where I grew up and it was a bit daunting for me.”

God’s country 2020 and 2021 are years that most would like to forget, given the detrimental effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, but for Olga it influenced a significant change in her life.

If it wasn’t for the hard lockdowns in Melbourne, she probably would have never considered leaving.

“My perspective on life really changed as a result of Covid-19 and the lockdowns,” she says.

“When everything started to open up again, I was done with the city life and ready for the next adventure.”

Olga and her husband moved to the town of Glenrowan, Victoria – most famous for the capture of notorious outlaw Ned Kelly.

Situated only 14km from Wangaratta, Olga says moving there was one of the best decisions that she’s ever made.

It’s allowed her to turn her passion for growing and preserving food into a broader project.

“Growing up in Kazakhstan, I ate only organic and biodynamic food due to the low cost of production and the absence of pesticides and herbicides,” Olga says.

“With fresh produce becoming so expensive in Australia, I wanted to start growing my own with traditional methods.”

Traditional practices

Having Russian heritage through her mother and grandmother, it’s always been important for Olga to preserve the recipes and traditional methods that have been passed on from previous generations.

She recalls having lots of her Aussie friends ask for tips and different recipes, which Olga thought was common knowledge.

Images: Olga Davis

“I didn’t realise that other people didn’t know these things,” she says.

“These were techniques and recipes that I learnt from my family, and I’ve been doing for years.”

Although she was always conscious of what she ate, it wasn’t until she started to struggle with eczema that she did a deep dive into the foods she was eating.

Hidden additives in packaged food were a big worry for Olga and it prompted her to grow her own food and cook from scratch.

This, coupled with the idea of writing down recipes to help her friends, were the main catalysts for starting her passion pro ject – the Down Under Homestead.

Learning resource

Down Under Homestead provides simple lessons on how to grow, forage and preserve food – providing essential skills

She moved from Kazakhstan to Australia only eight years ago

Olga grows her own food in regional Victoria

FARMING

that Olga believes have been lost over generations.

Offering everything from video courses and eBooks to blogs and social media posts, this project encourages people to be more independent and take health into their own hands.

In her own words, Olga explains that the project is empowering people to not be afraid to make mistakes when learning and experimenting with growing and preserving their own food.

The Down Under Homestead website is a starting point, where Olga discusses the philosophy behind the project and shares

tips and recipes.

“I’m just sharing what I know and hopefully people get inspired by that,” she says.

“We’re also trying to build a Facebook community where people can come together, share their ideas and their knowledge.”

Rural Women’s Grant

A big reason for being able to turn her idea into a viable business was the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Acceleration Grant Program.

This program awards a learning and development bursary of up to $7,000 to

seven women every year, for professional development to enable them to bring their idea, cause or vision to life.

Being the only woman from Victoria to receive this grant in her cohort, Olga says the program was transformational.

“AgriFutures actually believed in my idea and wanted to support me in developing my skill set so I could bring this project to life,” she says.

“Being an immigrant in Australia from Kazakhstan, it showed how accepting this country is and that they really wanted me to succeed.”

Living in Glenrowan and running the Down Under Homestead, Olga loves her new community and the accessibility available.

“I had assumptions that I’d be in the middle of nowhere, but funnily enough, I can accomplish so much more in a tighter time frame because everything is so connected and located so close together,” she says.

“It’s a much tighter knit community where I know all the locals and have friendly chats. That doesn’t seem to happen in Melbourne, because everyone is so busy and in a rush.

“Here, I think people just have a bit more time for human connection.”

For more information on the Down Under Homestead, visit downunderhomestead.com

Down Under Homestead provides simple lessons on how to grow, forage and preserve food

Lessons come in the form of video courses, eBooks, blogs and social media posts

SYDNEY

MELBOURNE

BRISBANE

ADELAIDE

TOWNSVILLE

Whammy DOUBLE

A Queensland farmer’s experience with the Rata Equipment Power Claw has been so positive that he has opted to buy a second unit to double its capabilities

There can hardly be a greater endorsement of an attachment than a farmer rushing out to buy another of the same thing.

For Queensland’s Russell Patton, who farms alongside his son, his experience with a Rata Equipment Power Claw has been so impactful to his operations that he decided one claw was not enough.

“Those Power Claws are the most fantastic bit of machinery - they are the farmer’s friend,” he says.

“I loved it so much that I bought another one.

“My son works on the farm with me and so we get into a machine each and we can do some work in a hurry.

“It’s actually fun to be on a machine working with them.”

Patton’s property is a 259 hectare (640 acre) block located between Toowoomba and Ipswich which he says was “heavily overgrown and very badly neglected” before he purchased it.

Tasked with clearing this land and making it usable, Patton initially contracted a bulldozer to get rid of some stumps

and bigger trees before learning about the Power Claw.

With the grunt work of knocking out about 1,500 stumps having been completed by the bulldozer, Patton’s next move would have been to use a bucket to try and clear the debris – until the Power Claw came along.

“The buckets are alright for knocking stuff over, but once it’s over there is all the fiddling around to try and pick it up and put it in stacks, whereas the Power Claw just grabs hold of it,” he says.

Rata’s bale clamp can lift up to 2,100kg

“I reckon some of the logs that were left behind here were 1,200kg and I’ve just picked them up and put them on top of fire stacks.

“It just stacks into beautiful little neat stacks or big stacks, whatever you like, and then you can burn it off, which is fantastic.

“For picking up logs or fallen trees or any debris that’s on the ground, and for any sort of clearing that you want to do, they are amazing and they are strong.”

Rata’s Power Claw is an attachment which, as Patton’s use shows, provides an alternative to a four-in-one bucket.

In addition to being compatible with skid steers, models exist that also suit tractors and telehandlers, ensuring all farmers can find the ideal unit to pair with their machinery.

The bale clamp has soft hands to remain gentle while lifting bales

Paired with machines like skid steers, the Claw has excellent lift capacity

The Power Claw’s clever design means farmers can also find uses and benefits in the field beyond what they were initially purchased for.

“They’re so much better than the stick rake for clearing undergrowth or lantana, or doing any of those jobs,” Patton says.

“I actually use it to grade around the fire stacks.

“I use that like a plough, I just tilt the teeth the right way and just go around it a couple of times - it’s just great, I’m telling you.”

Broadly speaking, Rata’s Power Claw is available in three different models.

There is the compact (which suits tractors between 25-45hp), the mid range (designed for 45-75hp tractors along with small loaders) plus the standard (which suits tractors about 75hp along with telehandlers and larger loaders).

Within the standard Power Claw range, multiple widths can be provided to further hone in on the perfect model for each use.

Units between 1.6m and 2.6m are available, with Patton’s 2.6m Power Claw being the largest offered.

The Power Claw’s tines are made from 16mm thick AR450 abrasion resistant steel to ensure maximum strength and durability, while the tines also interlock to provide excellent grip on any item being handled.

Heavy duty pins and bushes – with all pins being high tensile and 35mm diameter – are another example of the Power Claw’s toughness and its ability to handle the Australian conditions which it has been built for.

This translates into real-world benefits for users such as Patton, who speaks in glowing terms about the Power Claw’s performance on his skid steers.

“It’s just the power of them,” he says.

“I can’t speak highly enough of this machine. They’re strong and they’re just built tough.”

The Power Claw is also not the only Rata Equipment product which Patton owns, and it was only by chance that he even learned about it.

“I stumbled over it when I was looking for hay grabs and it looked interesting,” he says.

“I like my toys, so I thought I’d give it a try and I’m glad I did.”

Patton’s original search for a hay grab also led him to Rata Equipment, where he has secured another attachment he is happy with.

“The hay grab is made tough - I can’t break it,” he says.

“I ordered the hay grab and the Claw at the same time.

The Power Claw is designed as a four-in-one bucket alternative

“The hay grab will pick up two 4x4 bales of hay and picks them both up together with no problems - and the Claw is even stronger.”

Rata’s bale grabs – also known as bale clamps – are designed to provide “the perfect balance of strength and care”.

It offers a 2,100kg lift capacity, and this toughness and durability is complemented by providing a grip that is firm, but gentle enough on the bales to ensure the plastic wrap is not damaged.

It is another product which shows the depth of Rata’s range in the attachments space, all of which are built for what Australian conditions require.

When the products are ticking the boxes and the customer service matches, it is little surprise farmers such as Patton are happy to have discovered Rata.

“They were good to deal with and I’ve had no issues with them,” Patton says.

“I’ve got nothing but praise for them and the machine is an absolute cracker.”

Rata’s full range can be viewed online at www.rataequipment.com and the company can be contacted on 1800 962 022.

Because it is a Claw, it is able to secure items such as logs

Bourgault’s 4420 DKD is a recent addition to the manufacturer’s range

Broad offering

Bourgault’s range of seeding equipment, plus its suitability for local conditions, reflects the brand’s commitment to the Australian market

Start with big machinery that can handle the most demanding of broadacre needs, then add a desire to constantly innovate rather than rest on laurels.

F inish off with an intense focus on the Australian market and this begins to tell the story of Bourgault – the Canadian seeding equipment manufacturer whose products have a strong Australian presence with considerable local testing.

Far from being just an overseas man-

ufacturer that sees Australia as one of many markets to try and sell its products in, Bourgault works hard to ensure everything it produces will suit what farmers Down Under require.

Bourgault celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, after being founded in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan in 1974.

Its first foray beyond its homeland was to these shores, with Bourgault Australia – a

wholly-owned subsidiary of Bourgault Industries – being established in the late 1990s.

Originally based in the Perth suburb of Armadale, the company moved to a new 20,000sqm facility in Kelmscott, also in Perth, during 2020 and this is the Australian head office.

This is paired with another 4,800sqm workshop, office and spare parts building in the New South Wales town of Albury, providing another full distribution centre.

This means Bourgault has the infrastructure and staff to ensure customers on both sides of the country can quickly receive the machinery, parts and backup service they require.

Drilling down

Since Bourgault’s local footprint was established, the nation has been a fertile testing ground for the company’s products – many of which are purpose-built for Australia.

The most recent example of this has been the 4420 DKD.

This deep knife drill has been developed with input from Australian farmers

Images:

Bourgault

The 4420 DKD has a new design for deep cutting

and has been a significant addition to Bourgault’s product lineup.

It was first announced by Bourgault in late 2023 and shown to the public during field day season that spring, before a series of demo days were held in Western Australia during 2024.

The year ahead is tipped to be a big one for the 4420 DKD, with the unit now in full production and ready for a large-scale rollout onto Australian farms.

Bourgault’s 4420 DKD is designed to excel at depth, with the front fertiliser knife being optimised to work at depths of 12cm to 16.5cm below the surface.

This is a key point of difference from other knives in the Bourgault range, the company says, which have typically been designed for a maximum digging depth of two or three inches (5cm to 7.5cm).

It is followed by a seed placing closer that is parallel with a packing wheel, with customer feedback praising the seed placement and good germination of the planted crops thanks to some of the DKD’s design features.

It is available in 12m and 18m working widths, with both sizes crucially folding

to 5.5m for road transport.

The ability to carry up to 5,400L of liquid on board is another benefit for broadacre farmers, as this reduces filling time.

There is also a heavy-duty forward shank with on-the-go adjustable hydraulic breakout between 68kg and 450kg, plus a 16mm wide knife point.

Other features include a ground-following 1:1 contour ratio, easy packing pressure adjustment with a cordless impact driver, easy depth adjustment with a simple handle and pin, a floating hitch to ensure optimal depth control and superior tracking, plus large tyres and a steerable front axle.

Big deal

The DKD is not the only product that Bourgault has manufactured specifically for the Australian market.

In recent years, the company has also developed its frame mounted seeders and hydraulic variable breakouts specifically for Australia and conducted considerable prototype testing on local farms before rolling these out.

Bourgault’s engineering skill and

experience not only benefits the wider customer base through this ability to develop machines that suit Australian conditions, but also enables them to modify existing products for individual requirements.

Seeding equipment is Bourgault’s specialty, with much of it boasting an impressive size that Australian growers are seeing benefits from.

Bourgault produces air carts with world-leading capacities exceeding 45,000L, meaning farmers can seed for longer without needing to refill.

Its 91300 air cart has a total capacity of 45,810L split across its four tanks, with other models in the same series offering 33,470L and 22,900L capacities.

Each tank has individual weigh scales to help farmers know exactly how much product is being distributed, ensuring accuracy and precision in terms of not overapplying or underapplying.

Despite the sheer size of the air carts, these have thoughtfully been designed with a large range of tyre options to help reduce soil compaction.

The 9000 Series of air carts, which the

The 91300 is the largest air cart available

MACHINERY

91300 forms part of, can also be paired with the 4420 DKD.

This compatibility plays into Bourgault’s wider philosophy of providing big machines for big jobs.

With ongoing staff shortages impacting Australian agriculture, Bourgault says having one large machine rather than several smaller ones carries significant benefits.

Bourgault’s range of seeding and tillage equipment includes air carts, coulter and hoe drills, openers, the deep knife drill, frame mounted seeders and mid row applicators

The companys full range can be viewed online at www.bourgault.com/en-au

Bourgault’s 4420 deep knife drill is a recent product addition

The head office in Perth is spread over 20,000sqm

Harvest heroes

Case IH customers have the pick of several new harvesters for next season.

The manufacturer has revealed its new Axial-Flow 260 Series, which complements the AF9 and AF10 Series announced earlier in the year, plus the existing Axial-Flow 250.

The new Axial-Flow 260 series has been based on customer feedback, Case IH product manager Marc Smith says, with harvest technology including dual Pro 1200 displays being one significant feature.

“Our Axial-Flow combines have set the standard for grain quality and the highest levels of efficiency and productivity for many years now, and that remains unsur-

the combine’s functions and performance.

“The comfort of the cab, which we know is absolutely critical given the number of hours an operator spends in the seat during harvest, has also been elevated, with an emphasis on helping alleviate the fatigue and stress associated with such long days.”

Top tech

The Pro 1200 displays offer an anti-glare screen, along with instant grain quality imaging that provides a high definition look at harvested grain in real time.

The Axial-Flow 260 also boasts Case IH’s Harvest Command automation technology – a feature also present in the AF9 and

functions that operators need to monitor.

The AF9 and AF10 models were unveiled in the United States last August, with limited supplies available locally for the 2025 season.

These powerful units – offering 775hp on the AF10 and 634hp on the AF9 – have been designed to maximise crop flow while increasing speeds, without putting additional pressure on the machine.

On both the AF9 and AF10, the AFXL rotor is 40 per cent longer than the 250 series, which increases the throughput, while the overall grain handling capacity is bolstered by a 20,000L grain tank on the AF10 and 16,000L on the AF9.

“Harvest is one of the most critical periods in any cropping business, with technology features that save time and boost productivity, so that ultimately the machine is helping to maximise the business’ bottom line,” Smith says.

“We know the harvesting challenges farmers face each year and know how critical it is to make each day as productive as the next.

“The AF9 and AF10 will live up to the challenge.”

The manufacturer has opened the ordering period for the next season, with customers having until February to secure a new harvester.

“This is a busy time for our customers and dealers, with customers looking to their harvest needs for 2025, while many are still in the paddock harvesting this year, and our dealers readying combine orders for next season and helping ensure their customers get the right equipment for their particular needs,” Smith says.

Case IH has opened orders on combine harvesters for the year ahead, with new models adding excitement to the manufacturer’s range

Images:

Case

IH

Case IH has launched the Axial-Flow 260 series harvester

The AF10 will be in limited supply for the 2025 harvest season

Strong position

A new report says Australia’s beef industry has reason for optimism in 2025, particularly compared to other major producers

Australia could be the only top-10 beef producing nation to increase in year-on-year production output in 2025, according to a Rabobank report.

The agribank’s latest Global Beef Quarterly says Australia will rely more on exports to absorb the stronger domestic production levels, aided by expected declines from nations such as Brazil and the United States.

Other areas expected to experience reduced production include China, New Zealand and Europe.

The report says global beef production could swing dramatically if weather patterns change, with this being a major factor in the expected declines for Brazil and the USA in particular.

Carbon cut

A Victorian initiative is enabling farmers to implement on-farm projects that increase profitability and productivity, while reducing emissions

Australia’s “relatively adequate rainfall” in the past few years has helped output, report lead author and RaboResearch senior animal protein analyst Angus Gidley-Baird says, with 2025 weather forecasts expecting a favourable season.

“The latest El Niño Southern Oscillation models are predicting La Niña weather conditions to persist into quarter one 2025, before a transition to a more neutral pattern by midyear,” he says.

“This will support Australian beef production. Furthermore, year-over-year declines in US beef production will remain relatively small, as US cow herd rebuilding remains stalled by slower replacement heifer development.”

Victorian agriculture minister Ros Spence has announced the opening of round 2 of the Innovation Fund, which offer grants of up to $100,000 to participants of the On-Farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot.

T he Pilot is a three year initiative for 250 Victorian farmers and growers, designed to help them identify t heir on-farm emissions profile, develop an emissions reduction action plan, and apply for a grant to implement recommended actions through a pool of $5 million.

“We’re backing innovative farmers to trial hands-on solutions through the On-Farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot to increase productivity and long-term sustainability,” Spence says.

“It is a key part of our $20 million Agriculture Sector Pledge, delivering a shared vision alongside industry to help farmers to reduce emissions while maintaining productivity and profitability.”

Two successful recipients from round 1 of the Innovation Fund have already seen their projects commence at their respective dairy and

The report also says Australia is continuing to produce and export record volumes of cattle, with prices also holding firm.

Production volumes for the third quarter of 2024 showed a new record for that particular quarter, with the figure of 1.9 million metric tonnes representing an increase of 17 per cent on the same time in 2023.

In October, there was a record of 130,000 metric tonnes of shipped weight exported, and Gidley-Baird says the United States is taking a large portion of these exports.

Despite the record production volumes, the report says Australian cattle prices have been holding steady.

There was a slight softening in November, potentially reflecting an easing back in demand from processors due to exports approaching safeguard thresholds that would trigger additional tariffs.

With these safeguards resetting at the beginning of 2025, along with declining cattle volumes from Brazil and the US, Gidley-Baird says prices should hold into the new year.

b eef cattle farms in east Gippsland and south Gippsland.

Both were chosen for their focus on implementing on-farm trials to test new and different emission reduction approaches.

Tarago River Farms of east Gippsland received $30,000 for its Multi Species Emissions Saver project, focused on trialling the use of various crop blends, and the use of wastewater sourced from the dairy and a local cheesemaking business, to determine the most efficient methods of producing dairy feed and minimising nitrogen input.

South Gippsland beef cattle famer Carolyn Wilde received $37,399 for her Novel Water and Supplement Delivery System project, which looks at the delivery of a water-based supplement to reduce methane emissions through livestock drinking water troughs.

Applications for round 2 Innovation Fund grants will be open to Pilot participants from until January 31.

For more information on the On-Farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/ climate-and-weather

Australia’s beef industry is tipped to remain strong by global standards in 2025. Image: Carrie/stock.adobe.com

A round 1 recipient of the Innovation Fund is looking at the delivery of a water-based supplement to reduce methane emissions through livestock drinking water troughs. Image: Sergey Ryzhov/stock.adobe.com

and livestock product values reflects higher beef, veal and live cattle – up $3.2 billion – and an increase of $1 billion in sheep meat and live sheep values.

The values of eggs and pig and poultry meat are estimated to see an increase of $380 million, while milk values are tipped to experience a decrease of $740 million.

Lower milk production values reflect lower farmgate milk prices, however ABARES says these remain slightly elevated compared to the 10-year average to 2023–24.

Crops

Crop production values are expected to see significant growth, with an increase of $2.2 billion, and are another factor influencing the positive forecast for Australia’s agricultural production.

An increased of 7 per cent in crop production volumes is expected, while ABARES says improved seasonal conditions relative to last year across Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland are supporting winter crop production.

Strong production from these regions is predicted to more than offset reduced winter crop yields in South Australia and

Victoria as a result of unfavourable spring growing conditions.

The outlook for summer crop production is mostly favourable for 2024–25, however Australian crop prices are expected to fall, in line with the global trend.

ABARES says this is because of higher global exportable supply, falling demand from major importers and waning volatility from the effects of geopolitical conflict.

In terms of different commodities, increases in the value of crop production are being driven by higher wheat and pulse values (both up $1 billion), as well as horticultural values (up $860 million).

Wine grape values are seeing a $100 million increase with higher production and the re-opening of the Chinese market supporting prices.

On the other hand, canola, cotton and sugarcane values are expected to fall.

Exports

Export values are forecast to fall $1.3 billion, with a predicted overall value of $70.1 billion in 2024-25.

ABARES expects lower crop export values (down $3.4 billion) will outweigh ex-

Livestock product values are expected to increase by $3.8 billion in 2024-25. Image: Ben Ng/ Wirestock/stock.adobe.com

pected increases in livestock and livestock product export values (up $2.1 billion).

Despite this, it is still expected that agricultural export values will be the third highest on record.

Although crop production is expected to increase, a 5 per cent decrease in crop export volumes is driving the lower export values, as high carryover stocks from record production years between 2020-21 and 2022-23 have been depleted.

Crop export prices are also expected to moderate (down by 4 per cent), with global prices easing since 2023–24.

Strong global demand for Australian red meat is driving a 5 per cent increase in livestock and livestock product export volumes.

2024-25 is forecast to be the fourth consecutive year of growth in beef and sheep meat export volumes, as the US, China, Japan and emerging markets in the Middle East increase their demand.

Due to this, livestock and livestock product export prices are also expected to rise by 2 per cent. For dairy products, growth in global demand is forecast to outpace global supply.

Local support

As south west Victorians continue to deal with drought conditions, the National Centre for Farmer Health has bolstered its operations to support those struggling

The National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) has officially opened its brand-new premises in Hamilton, Victoria.

E stablished in 2009, the NCFH has been a national leader in efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of farmers and their communities.

Its new site sits within a major agricultural centre and reinforces the NCFH’s role

and their families.

As south west Victoria continues to experience drought conditions, NCFH has been working with Agriculture Victoria to support those farmers struggling.

“Congratulations to the NCFH team who continue to work tirelessly to improve the health of our farmers and their communities,” Victorian parliamentary secretary

The National Centre for Farmer Health has been supporting farmers and their communities since 2009. Image: StockMediaProduction/stock.adobe.com

“I encourage farmers experiencing the impacts of drought to use the NCFH and the other services being delivered as part of the Drought Support Package.”

Victoria will direct $1.43 million from its drought support package towards farmer wellbeing, technical decision-making advice and a dedicated regional drought coordinator to ensure support is reaching those who need it.

The package is also providing farmers with access to free one-on-one advice from specialist farm advisors, to take stock and discuss the best way forward for their businesses in the current season.

More than $12 million in On-Farm Drought Infrastructure grants is also available for farmers to make upgrades to equip their businesses to better withstand the current drought and future dry seasonal conditions.

To learn more about the National Centre for Farmer Health visit farmerhealth.org.au.

Fertiliser facility

Nutrien Ag Solutions’ new Western Australian bulk fertiliser distribution centre will ensure more supply for farmers, the company says

Leading provider of crop inputs and farm services Nutrien Ag Solutions has commenced work on a new efficient bulk fertiliser distribution centre in Rockingham, Western Australia.

Nutrien Ag Solutions says the $70 million investment will serve farmers and enable food production for both domestic and export markets.

Its existing Kwinana Jetty facility will continue to supply farmers with fertiliser throughout the 2025 season, prior to the new East Rockingham facility becoming operational in 2026.

“Nutrien understands the importance of having safe, efficient and reliable supply

chains and that requires investment in essential infrastructure – such as our new 130,000 metric tonne facility,” Nutrien Ag Solutions managing director Kelly Freeman says.

“Nutrien’s investment is a continuation of our commitment to the Australian market and our desire to create a more robust supply chain to mitigate risks and support the economic stability of Western Australia’s $16 billion agricultural industry.

“This bigger, more efficient facility not only strengthens Nutrien’s capability to serve farmers but also reinforces Western Australia’s role as a key agricultural hub for food production and exports.”

Concept drawing of the Rockinghambased facility set to be operational in 2026. Image: Birchmead/Nutrien Ag Solutions

The new site, located just two kilometres from Nutrien’s current facility, will feature three undercover outloads, more slots for storage, twin blending lines, pits and wheel washers on site for trucks.

New dedicated loading equipment with improved loading systems will also feature, allowing improved speeds and operating conditions for both site personnel and the customers’ trucks being loaded.

Nutrien Ag Solutions west region director Andrew Duperouzel says the new facility will give the company approximately 20 per cent more bulk fertiliser storage for WA.

“Granular fertiliser is a key input for farmers who need to apply it at the right time to maximise their crops, so ready access at the right time is critical,” he says.

“The new facility adds certainty of supply for farmers in an environment where global supply chain issues are one of their greatest risks.

“Our investment will mean more fertiliser can be stored and more efficiently blended and loaded out to farmers.”

Helping hand

A drought support package will be provided to South Australian farmers, with many experiencing their driest season on record

The South Australian government is investing $18 million to support farming communities affected by drought across the state, with many producers experiencing their driest season on record.

A range of measures are included in the support package, including grants for on-farm drought resilience infrastructure, mental health and community support and funding to enable donated fodder to reach more communities.

Drought round tables conducted across the state helped form the package, with support from the SA Drought Advisory Group, which includes representation from key primary industries as well as state, federal and local government.

Upper south east livestock farmer Robyn Verall says the support package will help many around the state be in the best position to get through the challenging season.

“Bringing farmers and communities together during these difficult times is

Export boost

A new South Australian port could export up to 360,000 tonnes of grain during its first full harvest season

The South Australian government has officially opened the Port of Narungga, a new p ort with the capacity to process up to half a million tonnes of grain annually.

Built near the existing Wallaroo Port on the west of the Yorke Peninsula, the new port will offer a boost to the state’s agricultural export options and employment across the region.

The first full harvest season could see the Port of Narungga export up to 360,000 tonnes of grain, the SA government says, while supporting hundreds of growers from across the Yorke Peninsula.

Employment at the facility will vary seasonally, however it is expected up to 100 jobs will be supported during peak harvest and export seasons.

important, the additional mental health and wellness support provided through these community events and counselling will be highly valued,” Verall says.

“Building resilience and strong planning for the future is vital for our industries, providing these resources and workshops will ensure longevity of our South Australian produce which is sold all around the world.” Assistance measures include:

• $ 5 million for On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grants for rebates of up to 75 p er cent (to a maximum of $5,000 excluding GST) that assist with projects to manage drought conditions and strengthen drought preparedness.

• $2 million to assist charities with freight costs to transport donated fodder to assist farmers with feeding livestock.

•

Image: Phoebe/stock.adobe.com

$18 million has been invested into the South Australian drought support package. Image: nilsversemann/stock.adobe.com

Family and Business Support Program.

• $100,000 for grants of up to $5,000 for the ‘Connecting Communities Events Program’, for groups to host events that foster social connections and provide support during these challenging times.

• $ 4.4 million in a budget commitment to provide Family and Business Mentors and Rural Financial Counsellors, who provide free confidential and independent services that link people with the appropriate assistance.

• $ 5.5 million funding provided to the state and federal government’s Future Drought Fund, which includes ongoing programs to help farmers with farm business resilience planning, climate tools and in demonstrating more resilient farming practices.

key producer of wheat, barley and canola, it is important that we have efficient, largescale port infrastructure to allow us to trade on a global market,” South Australia’s minister for infrastructure and transport Tom Koutsantonis says.

“This new port has the capacity to process up to 500,000 tonnes of grain every year.”

Grain will be transferred from a smaller barge vessel to larger ships offshore, utilising the transhipment method, making for a streamlined process that offers farmers

into two sections – the Flinders Ports-operated Wallaroo Harbour and the new T-Ports-operated Narungga Harbour – to ensure safe and efficient operations.

T-Ports also operate from a grain facility out of the Port of Lucky Bay, on the eastern side of the Eyre Peninsula.

The Port of Narungga has been named after the traditional custodians of the area, the Narungga people, and is the first time a harbour and a port in Australia have been named in honour of traditional custodians of sea and land

Fighting crime

An Australian-first online tool has been developed to help Victorian farmers combat regional property crimes

RACV and Neighbourhood Watch Victoria have developed an online quiz to improve the security of Victorian farms and regional properties following a rise in crime..

T he ‘How safe is my farm’ tool is Australian-first initiative, developed with help from Victoria Police, to help Victorian farmers identify what can be done to reduce the risk of farm crime on their property.

“‘How safe is my farm’ works by giving Victorians a tool to audit their property, find vulnerabilities that may exist and suggests prevention measures that can improve safety and security,” RACV general manager home Bill Bloodworth says.

“ The free online tool asks a series of easy-

presents users with a personalised report on their farm’s safety.”

According to Victorian Crime Statistics Agency, the regional areas of Latrobe, Mildura and Ararat were among the top five areas for criminal incident rates (per 100,000 estimated resident population) in the year ending 30 June 2024.

• A rarat: 9,345.7 incidents, up 25.8 per cent

• L atrobe: 11,578.8 incidents, up 9.8 per cent

• Yarra: 11,045.1 incidents, up 8.5 per cent

• Melbourne: 15,115.9 incidents, up 5.4 per cent

• M ildura 10,330.1 incidents, up 4.2 per cent.

Latrobe, Mildura and Horsham were also in

Rising stars

A cohort of young Victorian farming leaders have received scholarships to explore new learning opportunities and build on their existing expertise

New opportunities will abound for 16 Victorian young farming leaders who were presented with this year’s Young Farmers Upskill and Invest Scholarships, awarded by Agriculture Victoria.

Each scholarship recipient will receive up to $5,000 to pursue new learning opportunities and a further $5,000 to put their new skills into practice.

Successful applicants will also receive training to build their knowledge and expertise in areas such as irrigation, agronomy, conservation and land management,

as well as core business skills in areas including accounting, human resources and marketing.

Once they have completed their studies, applicants can invest in modern technology and equipment, on-farm strategies and planning, and their own professional development to kickstart their career as a farmer.

Gippsland beekeeper Anurag Bhangu is one recipient who is committed to enhancing his skills by completing a workshop on artificial insemination of queen

The ‘How safe is my farm’ tool suggests prevention measures that can improve safety and security. Image: frank1crayon/ stock.adobe.com

• Melbourne 20,827.5 offences, up 7 per cent

• L atrobe 15,979.7 offences, up 7 per cent

• Yarra 13,543.6 offences, up 4.9 per cent

• M ildura 13,883.4 offences, up 2.6 per cent

• Horsham 12,989.3 offences, down 2 per cent.

T hese same statistics show there were 2,380 crimes committed on Victorian farms, up from 2,125 from the previous year.

Of those crimes, 1,453 were theft, 431 were burglary and there were 343 instances of property damage.

“Farm crime be costly, disruptive and mentally exhausting to one of our hardest-working communities,” Neighbourhood Watch Victoria CEO Bambi Gordon says.

“Crime is opportunistic, and we can remove that opportunity by keeping an eye on each other, reporting crimes and suspicious behaviour when we see it and using preventative security measures.”

Farmers are urged to take proactive steps to secure their properties, such as installing proper lighting, securing gates and utilising surveillance cameras.

RACV says these simple steps can significantly deter potential criminal activity.

To use the ‘How safe is my farm’ tool and find out more, visit howsafeismyplace. com.au/farm/

Each scholarship recipient will receive up to $5,000 to pursue new learning opportunities and a further $5,000 to put their new skills into practice. Image: Dusan Kostic/stock.adobe.com

bees, as well as a bee breeding course.

He will also invest in a queen bee artificial insemination kit, which will enable him to selectively breed queen bees that are better suited to the region’s cooler climate, and more resistant to Varroa mite.

Another young leader looking to build new skills is Amy Byrne, who helps manage a mixed-farming enterprise in north-east Victoria.

She will complete the lifetime ewe management course and seek the support of a consultant to support her to invest in electronic identification equipment.

Many of the previous recipients have gone on to play a vital role in industry leadership positions such as the Victorian Young Farmers Advisory Council, the state government says.

The Council represents the views of young farmers and provides advice to government to help grow a sustainable and profitable agriculture sector.

Hopeful signs

A record number of dealers have contributed to the TMA’s latest sentiment survey, with optimism about tractor sales increasing

The Tractor and Machinery Association (TMA) has released results from its latest dealer business sentiment survey, which has shown reasons for optimism in a challenging period for the industry.

The survey, which compared sentiment to its previous edition in July, had responses from 124 dealers across all states and aims to provide a regular snapshot of sentiment across the country.

November’s survey had a record number of responses and revealed a slight increase in the number of dealers (15 per cent compared to 12 per cent) who expected new tractor sales to increase in the next six months.

A larger portion than last time expected sales to remain unchanged, while the percentage who expect decreased sales dropped from 56 per cent to 37 per cent.

Expectations around combine harvester sales remained largely the same as July’s survey, although there was a much lower percentage who expected baler and hay tools sales to increase .

Overall satisfaction levels about the past six months of turnover remained low, while turnover expectations for the next six months remained much the same as the past TMA survey.

It showed 44 per cent of dealers expect overall turnover to remain unchanged in the next six months, with another 44 per cent expecting a decrease and 12 per cent forecasting an increase – figures which largely match July’s survey.

In terms of other equipment types, the sprayer market remains steady, while there was a slight increase in the percentage of dealers who expected new implement sales to rise in the next six months.

There were also clear signs the used equipment market will remain strong.

A significant increase (64 per cent compared to the previous 50 per cent) was recorded in those who expect the already healthy used equipment sales market to remain unchanged, while aftersales parts support is expected to remain steady.

Another positive sign for the sales market came via inventory levels.

With an oversupply of stock having been an issue for dealers, the percentage who described their current new tractor inventory levels as high dropped from 66 per cent to 53 per cent, while there was an increased percentage who described their stock levels as average.

The same principle also applied to new combine harvesters, with a reduction from 60 per cent to 47 per cent of those describing their stock as high.

With the exception of South Australia, there was also a higher percentage of respondents who expect to increase their workforce.

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Hercules T-3 telehandlers are one of the newest additions to BMES’ product portfolio

Reach for the stars

With high demand for telehandlers, Brisbane Mini Excavator Sales will be kicking off the new year with 2025 models of its Hercules T-3 model

2024 was a jam-packed year for Brisbane Mini Excavator Sales (BMES), having significantly expanded its Hercules machinery offering, and 2025 is sure to be no different. T he past 12 months saw BMES update its Hercules wheel loader range with the new

‘Series 2’ models and the introduction of the Hercules Loadmaster range. One of the biggest additions to its fleet were the Hercules T-3 telehandlers, thanks in no small part to customers that were knocking the door down for this product.

“We were asked by a lot of our clients about stocking telehandlers, so we decided to fulfil their request with these machines,” BMES sales executive Steven Ragenovich says.

Having previously not offered tele-

MACHINERY

handlers, the T-3 models will offer greater optionality for customers with a competitive price that Hercules is known for.

BMES will receive its first 2025 models of the T-3 in January, with the machines boasting a 100hp (73.5kW) Cummins engine and a 7.5m maximum reach – enabling access to difficult heights.

Weighing in at eight tonnes and with a rated load of three tonnes, the T-3 comes as standard with a ROPS/FOPS cabin to keep farmers safe when in paddocks.

To further enhance on-farm safety, the T-3 has a factory diagnostic display with a safe lift monitor, which sets off an alarm when a load is exceeding the machine’s capabilities.

These alarms are incorporated with the machine’s onboard visual display, Ragenovich adds.

“Lifting heavy loads up high can be a hazard if you’re not careful,” he says.

“The safe lift monitoring eliminates the potential hazard of a roll over.”

Load capability charts are also supplied by BMES to give farmers the confidence needed to safely load and operate the telehandler.

Spare wheels, GP buckets and pallet forks are in stock

BMES introduced its T-3 telehandler to fulfill customer needs

being one of the cheapest telehandlers on the market,” he says.

A range of farming tasks can be carried out with this versatile machine due its factory-fitted hydraulic quick hitch.

Whether it is moving hay bales, loading and unloading materials, or stacking pallets, attachments can be quickly swapped out to suit the task at hand.

The telehandler’s ‘third function’ offers further hydraulic capacity, allowing farmers to equip the machine with any hydraulic attachments, such as 4-in-1 hydraulic buckets and hydraulic hay grabs.

With three different steering modes –including two-wheel, four-wheel, and crab – for uneven and tight working environments, the telehandler allows maximum manoeuvrability.

Coming with a powershift transmission, Ragenovich says it gives operators the comfort and speed they require for any job application.

“For a new year special, call the boys at Hercules machinery,” he says.

“We have spare wheels, GP buckets, and pallet forks in stock to go with the telehandler.”

Hercules Machinery will be unveiling another range of machinery i n 2025 to provide the agricultural industry with more cost-effective quality equipment

For more information on the Hercules T-3 telehandler, visit www. brisbaneminiexcavators.com.au or call (07) 3807 4333.

The ROPS/FOPS cabin keeps farmers safe from the elements

With the flow

The quality of Merlo’s products has helped New South Wales dealer Three Rivers Machinery to excel over several years

In the heart of New South Wales, dealership group Three Rivers Machinery has become part of the Merlo family’s furniture.

Three Rivers has been part of the Merlo network since 2017, with dealer principal John Plunkett describing the relationship with Merlo Australia as having “been strong since the beginning”.

This points to a relationship that is seamless, with the combination of an experienced dealer and a quality product combining to benefit the customer base. It was a specific customer need that first started Merlo’s journey into having a dealer in the state’s Central West region.

“Merlo had several existing customers in the area and were looking for a local dealer to be able to provide aftersales service and to grow the Merlo dealer network in the Central West,” Plunkett says.

Wide reach

Fast forward to the present day, and Three Rivers is selling Merlo machinery from its four branches in the towns of Dubbo, Gilgandra, Narromine and Warren, with Plunkett – who founded the business with wife Bronwyn – being the Dealer Principal for all branches.

Dubbo is the most recent addition to the stable, with Three Rivers purchasing

an existing multi-brand dealership in the town in May 2024.

In addition to these towns, the dealer’s Merlo catchment area stretches as far north as Walgett, as far south as Forbes and everywhere in between.

This area is very much broadacre country, where popular Merlo machines such as the Multifarmer and Turbofarmer excel.

These two machines are cited by Plunkett as being among the most popular Merlo products, as is often the case in areas dominated by broadacre farming.

Merlo’s Multifarmer is a distinctive machine, being described by the man-

Images: Three Rivers Machinery

Three Rivers has been in the Merlo network since 2017

The Turbofarmer 35.7 offers a 7m lift height

MACHINERY

Merlo’s Turbofarmer is a popular product

ufacturer as a “unique and unrivalled telescopic tractor” that combines the benefits of a telehandler and tractor.

The Turbofarmer is more of a traditional telehandler, but one which is particularly suited to the needs of Australian farmers.

Quality Italian manufacturing is a feature across the Merlo range, with this cited by Plunkett as one of many reasons why the brand’s machines are popular.

“Our customers are most drawn to the quality of the build, which is exceptional, plus the smoothness of operation, smooth hydraulic function, high level of safety features and the overall comfort and layout of the cab,” he says.

“There is also a lot of research and development that goes into the products, plus a vast range of telehandlers

with sizes and boom lengths to suit all applications.”

Multiple options

The Turbofarmer range is a good illustration of the depth offered by Merlo in terms of differing sizes and boom lengths available.

At the smaller end, Turbofarmer compact units offer 2,700kg load capacities, 5.9m reach and a 75hp engine, while considerably larger Turbofarmer models are available to suit more heavy-duty requirements.

The TF65.9, for example, boasts the greatest load capacity at 6,500kg thanks to its powerful 170hp engine, while also offering a maximum lift height of 8.8m.

The greatest lift height available in a Turbofarmer telehandler is from the TF38.10 model.

Farmers can lift up to 9.5m with this unit, with a 3,800kg load capacity.

Within the Multifarmer range, the MF44.7 and 44.9 are offered locally.

The MF44.7 offers a 6.8m maximum lift height, which jumps to 8.9m on the MF44.9.

Both are powered by 170hp engines and have 4,000kg maximum load capacities.

Rather than just providing a combination of both tractor and telehandler features, the Multifarmer has been built to excel in both fields.

A suspended cabin has active hydropneumatic suspension as standard, which Merlo says helps farmers to “feel like you’re seated on a comfortable cushion, even when driving over the roughest terrain”.

PTO, 3-point linkage, trailer hitch and hydraulic remotes are all standard across

the Multifarmer range, along with boom suspension to ensure stability while using the machines as a telehandler.

Plunkett says these features are translating to real-world benefits for Three Rivers customers, while also highlighting other areas where he believes the Multifarmer excels.

“The Multifarmer model is particularly helpful in the agricultural sector with these units having PTO, 3-point linkage and four rear remotes,” he says.

“The boom sections are cold rolled steel, which are thinner and lighter yet stronger than competitive brands.”

With many years of success with the Merlo product already, Plunkett says he is looking forward to many more years of doing the same.

Comfortable cabins are a feature of all Merlo machinery

of mind

SKF Lincoln’s sprayer lubrication kit helps to ensure these complex machines are always running at their smoothest

Sprayers are a unique piece of agricultural machinery, with larger overall dimensions than the likes of tractors or even ombine harvesters when the booms are

The sheer size means there is always potential for things to go wrong; making the need for good lubrication and main-

ts very nature, though, with more lubrication points than other machinery, means the daily maintenance requirements for farmers to correctly grease heir sprayer is a greater time imposition.

JSG Industrial Systems has a solution, courtesy of the SKF Lincoln automatic lubrication kit specifically designed for

Like other SKF Lincoln automatic systems, it works by providing small amounts of grease regularly throughout the day to ensure the machine remains well lubricated, even after a long day of

signed to cater for the higher number of ubrication points, with JSG’s kit being designed for the common number of 82

“Obviously it takes a lot of time to manually grease that number of points, and ome days it’s raining or it’s 40 degrees and the farmer doesn’t have any help, so it’s probably not going to get done,” JSG’s national sales manager Brendon

MACHINERY

O’Loughlin says.

“If you’re pumping in grease at the start of each day, it may dispense quickly during the day and then it’s gone by the end of the day.

“With automatic lubrication, we’re able to pump in a little bit regularly and then form a seal to stop the dirt and rain getting into the bush or the bearing.”

Nitty gritty

The focal point of the sprayer lubrication kit is a Lincoln Progressive P203 pump fitted with a 12V DC programmable controller and 2kg grease reservoir to ensure the consistent lubrication to vital components.

The only manual requirement is to load the grease, which can be done with a push fill hand pump to facilitate easy filling of the reservoir.

Additional lubrication cycles can also be done through an in-cab switch if required.

A master divider valve delivers metered amounts of grease to secondary valves, ensuring optimal lubricant distribution while having the ability to vary

The secondary divider valves are allocated to specific grease points on the bi-fold and tri-fold booms, further ensuring lubricant is precisely delivered where it is needed most.

The kits are manufactured using high-quality hoses, fittings, mounting brackets and fasteners, while also designed to be efficient to install.

A lot of the kits we put together are pre-harnessed and pre-assembled so the quantity to each point if required.

The kit is sold in a way which is ready to install

The system is designed to lubricate the large number of points in a sprayer

then we actually label them to say where they go on the machine,” O’Loughlin says.

“The lines are already on them and we spend a bit of time getting it ready, which makes it more efficient to install.

“We’ve also got a network of installers that know how to fit our systems and are quite efficient at doing that.”

It is also backed by the SKF Lincoln brand name, which has a long history in manufacturing and is an OEM-specified product known for its reliability and performance.

This also means farmers can be confident they have the necessary backup for the system to be a strong long-term investment, no matter where they are located.

“You’ll always be able to find a part anywhere in Australia,” O’Loughlin says.

“ It’s one thing to put a system on, but then you’ve got to be able to back it up in the aftermarket.

“We’ve got agents in every region, so farmers can always get a part for it anywhere in the country.

“ No matter where a farmer is based, they will be able to find the product and have the knowledge that you’ll have backup for those parts.”

Bringing benefits

JSG’s lubrication product sales manager Branco Zivic says Australian farms can be broadly split into two demographics, both of which can benefit from automatic sprayer lubrication for different reasons.

“One group is your family-owned farms and the other are your multinational farms,” he says.

“With the family-owned farms, they don’t have the labour that they’d like to, so this is automating that process for them.”

Another benefit of automating the lubrication process for sprayers rather than relying on manual application applies particularly to the ‘ma and pa’ farms, according to O’Loughlin.

“The sprayer is probably only working three months of the year,” he says.

“It’s spraying before you’re sowing, so you can imagine, if it’s sitting out in the weather or even if it’s in a shed, it’s not moving.

“You’re providing lubrication to minimise the wear and tear on those points and it provides peace of mind.”

Minimising wear and tear is the core of why a good lubrication system is important, Zivic adds, as there is potential for significant problems otherwise.

“You have to remember that some of the chemicals that have been sprayed are also corrosive and that could jeopardise the performance of the sprayer.

“It’s also the dirt and the dust that gets into the wear points, so what we try to do is basically lubricate or purge the contaminants out of there.

“There is also potential for sagging as those pins and bushes wear.

“If you’re not doing lubrication properly on a sprayer, the machine starts to deteriorate a lot quicker,” he says.

“There’s quite a lot of weight on that boom, so you obviously don’t want sagging components.

“It’s trying to extend the life of the machine – these sprayers are worth a significant amount of money so it’s fair to say if you spend a little bit on a preventative maintenance system, you’re going to get better value for your money.”

The SKF Lincoln sprayer kit, along with lubrication systems for all farm machinery, can be viewed online at www.jsgindustrial.com and the brand’s dealer network.

A Lincoln Progressive P203 pump is the central point

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Nitrogen fix

La Trobe University researchers have discovered a genetic regulator that shuts down the process in which legume plants convert nitrogen from the atmosphere into nutrients. Farms & Farm Machinery speaks to the research leader to find out how this discovery could increase crop growth and yield, while reducing reliance on nitrogen fertilisers

Legume plants like beans, peas and lentils are unique compared to other crops, due to their special ability to interact with soil bacteria – known as rhizobia – and convert or ‘fix’ nitrogen into a usable form of nutrients.

Farmers can benefit from this process, as legumes fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and leave some behind in the soil for the next crop a farmer plans to grow –reducing the need for synthetic fertilisers. However, when there is already “enough” nitrogen in the soil through

natural processes or synthetic fertilisers, legumes will decrease their rate of nitrogen fixation.

This is about to change though, as a recent discovery by a team of international scientists, led by La Trobe University researchers, has identified that a genetic regulator inside legumes can be removed to enable the plants to continue with their special ability – regardless of soil nitrogen levels.

Identified for the first time, a genetic ‘off switch’ reduces fixation when nitrogen

rates are already high in soil.

Research leader and La Trobe University lecturer in plant science Dugald Reid says that when the gene was removed, legumes fixed significantly more nitrogen than the unmodified plants – creating new opportunities for farmers.

“The higher the amount of nitrogen in the soil, the lower the amount of fixation that occurs in unmodified legumes,” he says.

“There is significantly more fixation when we remove the genetic regulator.”

The discovery of a genetic ‘off switch’ in legume plants could reduce the need for nitrogen fertilisers. Image: Prime Creative Media

FARMING

Discovery

The team discovered the regulator –dubbed Fixation Under Nitrate (FUN) – after screening 150,000 individual legume plants in which the gene had been removed to identify how plants control the switch from nitrogen fixation to soil nitrogen uptake.

Initial research was done with a model legume species known as Lotus japonicus, and by increasing the nitrogen levels available to it, the team was able to identify the impaired nitrogen fixing regulation – uncovering the FUN regulator.

The gene was previously unknown, with Reid saying other research teams had tried to modify the legume’s nitrogen fixation by increasing the number of nodules on a plant – where the fixation occurs.

“In those cases, the modifications had a detrimental effect on the plant’s growth,” he says.

“The plants weren’t growing as well because they were spending too much energy on the process, but when you remove the FUN gene, the plant’s growth isn’t effected.”

Reid says the next step in the project is to try and remove the genetic regulator in other legume crops such as faba bean,

Lotus japonicus was used for initial testing of legume plants.

Image: La Trobe University

soybean and cowpea.

“If we see benefits of removing the genetic regulator in one legume crop, then it’s quite likely that it’s going to translate into other legumes as well,” he says.

The team has since started to generate cowpea mutants and currently has plants growing in the lab where mutations can be detected.

“We should have a cowpea mutant in the next six months or so and then it’s about getting enough seed to take it into the field and trial it,” Reid says.

In terms of faba bean, Reid says the team has three seeds that were retrieved from a mutant population, and they are currently being tested to see if they perform the same way as the model species.

A mutation of soybean could also be on the horizon, but Reid says it might still take a couple of years to develop.

Growth and yield

With legumes fixing more nitrogen, Reid says the removal of the genetic ‘off switch’ could result in an increase in crop growth and yield.

“Once we test these other crops, we’ll assess the yield in different conditions in the field,” he says.

These tests will look at conditions where there are high levels of nitrogen in the soil as well as low levels of soil nitrate.

The team will then consider the difference in yield as well as in protein content, which Reid says will measure how much nitrogen in the plants comes from fixation, as opposed to nitrogen from the soil.

“If we can increase the nitrogen that the legumes are fixing by 10 per cent, then that’s 10 per cent more nitrogen that could get left behind, or it’s 10 per cent more nitrogen that can get allocated to yield,” he says.

“Both of these scenarios provide potential benefits for farmers, as they’ll either get an increased yield, which has direct economic benefits on the legume crop, or increased nitrogen, which means they can reduce the amount of nitrogen they need on their wheat or their canola the following year.”

Reducing fertiliser use

Since legumes can leave nitrogen behind in the soil once it has fixed it, farmers can reduce their reliance on nitrogen fertilisers, which can be detrimental to the environment.

By removing the genetic regulator and

The team is growing genetically modified legumes at their lab. Image: Prime Creative Media

FARMING

allowing legumes to fix more nitrogen, the use of fertilisers could be even further reduced.

There are several different costs associ ated with fertilisers, Reid says, including economic costs, environmental factors in production and the environmental factors when applying the fertiliser.

“Urea is an expensive fertiliser and the production of it involves natural gases that produce a lot of emissions – contributing to a high carbon footprint,” Reid says.

“Once you put it in the paddock, it ends up getting converted into nitrous oxides, which is a very potent greenhouse gas and makes up a large portion of Australia’s emissions.”

Reid hopes that his research will lead to less reliance on these nitrogen fertilisers –mitigating the costs associated with them.

“This helps lay the foundations for future research that provides new ways for us to manage our farming systems to reduce nitrogen fertiliser use, increase farm incomes and reduce the impact of nitrogen fertiliser use on the environment,” he says.

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CHALLENGER MT455B Perkins TurboDiesel, Powershift, Hydraulicshuttle, Fullairconcab, Hydraulichitch for implements.S829. TA1234975. $69,990

FORD3910 2wd unit,Power steering, Underbellyand wheelweights,4 postroof,PTOand 3pointlinkage workwell.S800. TA1216976. $10,990

KUBOTA RTV-X1120D Very Goodcondition. Verylowhours andKMs.D11053 cylinderDiesel engine.Power steering.S844. TA1241002. $21,990

KUBOTA

SVL75-2FCW Full history,Lowhours, Digga4in1bucket withreplaceable cuttingedges, Reversecamera. S830. TA1234976. $72,000

KUBOTARTV520 Immediate delivery,Variable Hydrostatic Transmission, 4WDwithdifflock, Tipping tray, Towbar.S791. TA1207848. $18,990

KUBOTA

SVL75-3CHFRW 2024,NEWmodel quieter,more productive,7" touchscreen monitorandjog dial.S827. TA1234852. $106,990

KUBOTA M8540DHC 85Hp Air-conditioned cab,18Forward/ 18ReverseKubota Synchronized transmission.S816. TA1229878. $57,990

KRONE KS380-420/12 4.2M 12ARMSINGLE ROTORLINKAGE RAKE,Workshop checked,Height adjustonhandle. S835. TA1237448. $5,990

Dugald Reid led the research team. Image: Dugald Reid

Events Calendar

Here is the full 2025 calendar of field day and agricultural events. Information was current as of going to press

Warrangong Vintage Harvest Day - Warrangong, NSW

With one of Australia’s largest private collections of vintage headers, farmer Kerry Pietsch has decided to hold a one-off event to showcase the machines in action, which otherwise would be hidden from the world. As principal of the Warrangong Heritage Collection Incorporated, Pietsch is holding the Warrangong Vintage Harvest Day at his own Pleasant Hills farm.

When: January 11, 2025

More info: warrangongharvestday@ gmail.com

Geelong Classic Truck & Machinery Show – Geelong, Vic

January plays host to one of the biggest and best displays of classic trucks, tractors, cars, machinery plus much more. As well as having a range of

visiting clubs and displays, the event also showcases the Vintage Machinery Section’s own pavilion, with more than 15 fully operational steam engines, 12 permanently installed oil engines, a 1,000 horsepower marine steam engine, a wool scouring machine and a large collection of steam models.

When: January 11-12, 2025

More info: classictruckandmachinery. com.au

International Green WeekBerlin, Germany

The International Green Week is a one-ofa-kind international exhibition of the food, agriculture and gardening industries. IGW is the origin of the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA). This is where over 80 international ministries and food producers meet – their displays reveal the fascinating world of the food and beverage industries. This will be an online only event.

When: January 17-26, 2025

More info: gruenewoche.de/en

International Dairy Week Australia – Tatura, Vic

Australia’s International Dairy Week, held in Tatura Park, Victoria, showcases the latest developments in Australian dairy cattle, farming practices, dairy knowledge, breeding and genetics, machinery, equipment and technology, environmental management and services. Held during the third week of January each year, IDW is the place to be for all dairy farmers, breeders, producers, companies, organisations and others operating within the dairy industry.

When: January 18-23, 2025

More info: www.idwaus.com

Eurobodalla Agricultural Show – Moruya, NSW

Held at the Moruya Showground in Moruya on the south coast of NSW, the Eurobodalla Agricultural Show will focus on local produce alongside animal shows, show jumping and a vintage and veteran vehicle show.

When: January 25-26, 2025

More info: eurobodallashow.org.au

Berry Show – Berry, NSW

The Berry Show is an annual agricultural show held in the picturesque rural town of Berry on the NSW south coast. The show has been promoting excellence in the local community for over 130 years. Attractions include large cattle and horse shows and fantastic entertainment such as a rodeo, woodchopping, the Young Farmer Challenge and fireworks.

When: January 31-February 1, 2025

More info: berryshow.org.au

Enthusiasts can watch classic machines in operation in Geelong. Image: Prime Creative Media

than 1,500 exhibitors display the latest in farm equipment, communications and technology. Free seminars focus on a variety of topics important to dairy producers, farmers, ranchers and agribusiness professionals. World Ag Expo is a can’t miss show for anyone in ag.

When: February 11-13, 2025

More info: worldagexpo.com

evokeAG conferenceBrisbane, Qld

evokeAG is an agrifood tech event organised by AgriFutures Australia, with hosting rights rotating between cities. Speakers and start-ups from across the world discuss food sustainability, supply chain demands, and other issues geared at improving capacity and profitability of agricultural businesses in Australia.

When: February 18-19, 2025

More info: evokeag.com/ evokeag-2025/

Royal Canberra Show –Canberra, ACT

The Royal Canberra Show, Canberra’s largest all ages event, is staged annually by the Royal National Capital Agricultural Society. While having agriculture at its core, the Show has broadened over the years to reflect more entertainment, educational features and exhibitions, ensuring that there is a vibrant mix of ‘city meeting country’ and ‘country meeting city’.

When: February 21–23, 2025

More info: canberrashow.org.au

Paris International Agricultural Show - Paris, France

For the last half a century, the Paris International Agricultural Show has

services and professions - this event brings together all of agriculture.

When: February 22-March 2 2025

More info: salon-agriculture.com/en

King Island Show – King Island, Tas

Experience King Island’s major annual event, the King Island Agricultural, Horticultural & Pastoral Society Show. Visit the pavilion for the arts and crafts display and wool judging, tasty food is for sale (the donuts are a must!). There is cattle judging, horse riding displays, pet competitions and so much more.

When: March 4, 2025

More Info:kingislandshow37374937. wordpress.com/

Wimmera Machinery Field Days – Longerenong, Vic

Wimmera Machinery Field Days is hosted at the purpose-built Wimmera Events Centre at Longerenong near Horsham in western Victoria and has grown into one of Australia’s largest agricultural and agribusiness trade shows.

When: March 4–6, 2025

More Info: wimmerafielddays.com.au

Wagin Woolorama – Wagin, WA

Over two days, the community comes together to showcase the diversity of agricultural life in WA and how ‘ordinary things can be done extraordinarily well’. It is a fantastic day out for the whole family with lots to see and do, including prestigious livestock, art, photography, craft, home industries, fashion, rides and entertainment for all ages, plus a spectacular Rodeo on Saturday night.

When: March 7–8, 2025

More info: www.woolorama.com.au

senior decision-makers across the agrifood industry to build a more sustainable and resilient supply chain.

Global leaders from agribusinesses, technology giants, food brands, farmers, farming co-operatives, policymakers, investors, and start-ups will meet to scale innovation and create value in the sector.

When: March 11-12, 2025

More Info: www.worldagritechusa.com

Agritechnica Asia – Bangkok, Thailand

Agritechnica Asia focuses on Asia’s largest agricultural buyers from across the region, emphasising agricultural engineering solutions that are both relevant and important to the development of agriculture in Asian markets. Agritechnica Asia will be held in conjunction with Horti Asia, the region’s largest trade exhibition for smart horticulture in Asia, and the special exhibition Systems & Components Asia.

When: March 12-14, 2025

More Info: www.agritechnica-asia.com

Central District Field Days –Manfeild, New Zealand

Central Districts Field Days is a unique agriculture event where communities come together to connect, discover and experience the future of New Zealand’s primary industries. From farmers and foodies to tech heads and townies, New Zealand’s largest regional field days has something for everyone. The event showcases cutting edge machinery and equipment, the latest developments in rural innovation, thrilling FXM shows, lifestyle stalls, top notch regional food and local brews.

When: March 13-15, 2025

More Info: www.cdfielddays.co.nz

South East Field Days –Lucindale, SA

Wimmera Field Days will be again held in March. Image: Prime Creative Media

EVENTS

Held at Yakka Park, Lucindale, there will be exhibits of farm machinery and other local business, dog trials, displays, competitions and entertainment for all the family.

When: March 21-22, 2025

More Info: www.sefd.com.au

Farm World – Lardner Park, Vic

Farm World attracts more than 40,000 visitors every year as a premier agricultural field day and lifestyle event that has been running since 1963. As Gippsland’s largest annnual field day with over 100 acres of exhibitor displays inside and out, Farm World has something for everyone.

When: March 27-29, 2025

More Info: www.lardnerpark.com.au

Toowoomba Royal Show –Toowoomba, Qld

The Toowoomba Royal Show is an unrivalled production of the very best in entertainment and agriculture displays on the Darling Downs since 1860.

When: March 27-29, 2025

More Info: www.toowoombashow.com.au/ royal-show

Seymour Alternative Farming Expo – Seymour, Vic

Held in the heart of Victoria at Kings Park, Seymour, the Expo features approximately 500 exhibitors and attracts 20,000 visitors across three days. Explore the latest technology, practices and trends in small and backyard farming, visit the animals and enjoy the market style shopping, food and entertainment.

When: April 4-6, 2025

More Info: www.seymourexpo.com.au

Northern Australia Food Futures Conference - Darwin, NT

The Northern Australia Food Futures Conference is Australia’s leading conference on agricultural development in the North. Held in Darwin, Northern

fodder, forestry and niche crops.

When: April 8-9, 2025

More Info: foodfuturesntfarmers.org.au

East Gippsland Field Days –Bairnsdale, Vic

An iconic event on the East Gippsland calendar, this Bairnsdale-based field day has proudly been run by the Lindenow Lions Club since its inception in 1986. With over 350 exhibitor spaces and numerous quality promotions at the Field Days, East Gippsland is not one to miss.

When: April 11–12, 2025

More Info: www.egfielddays.com.au

Sydney Royal Easter Show –Sydney, NSW

First held in 1823, the Sydney Royal Easter Show is Australia’s largest annual ticketed event, attracting over 850,000 attendees on average. Revenue generated by it allows the RAS to invest in agricultural programs, competitions, education, youth and rural NSW.

When: April 11-22, 2025

More info: www.eastershow.com.au

Farm World is a popular annual event in Victoria. Image: Prime Creative Media

35 years, Agfest is a Tasmanian success story that injects millions of dollars into the local economy annually.

When: May 1-3, 2025

More info: www.agfest.com.au

Tocal Field Days – Tocal, NSW

Highly regarded for its educational aspects, Tocal Field Days provides an opportunity each year for landholders and the community to see first-hand a range of livestock and animal handling and husbandry skills. The site also features a large land management area that provides great information on caring for our environment, looking after our native animals and managing feral pests that threaten our landscape.

When: May 2-4, 2025

More info: www.tocalfielddays.com

Primex Field Days - Casino, NSW

Positioned as being ‘Australia’s sustainable farming expo’, Norco Primex has evolved from a localised event to become one of the country’s leading primary industries expos. It now boasts more than 1,000 different companies on show and more than 25,000 visitors across its three days.

When: May 15–17, 2025

More info: www.primex.net.au

Mildura Field Days - Mildura, Vic

Mildura Field Days are two full days of the best that the region has to offer as well as the latest in agricultural machinery and innovation. Agriculture focused

local food & wine, health & beauty and more. Events include live music, presentations and kids’ activities.

When: May 16-17, 2025

More info: mildurafielddays.com.au

Coffs Harbour Agricultural Show – Coffs Harbour, NSW

Organised by the Coffs Harbour Show Society, the Coffs Harbour Show has trade exhibitors as well as competitions and rides.

When: May 16-18, 2025

More info: coffsharbourshowsociety.com.au

Diesel Dirt & Turf Expo –Sydney, NSW

Diesel Dirt & Turf Expo is a family-friendly event designed to boost the Western Sydney construction boom – showcasing the biggest range of earthmoving machinery dealers, earthmoving attachments, trucks, bikes, utilities, mowing equipment and much, much more.

When: May 16-18, 2025

More info: dieseldirtandturf.com.au

Bellingen Show – Bellingen, NSW

Begun in 1881, the Bellingen Show is a yearly event that brings together members from throughout the community providing a venue for both young and old to showcase their unique skills and talents through traditional agricultural events, the exhibition of agricultural produce, arts and crafts, and

More info: www.bellingenshow.com.au

Casino Beef Week - Casino, NSW

Casino Beef Week is an annual celebration of this iconic Australian industry and the rural way of life. Taking place over 12 days, the festival provides entertainment, education and an authentic country experience for the whole family. With over 100 vibrant events to enjoy, there is no shortage of fun things to see and do.

When: May 24-June 1, 2025

More info: casinobeefweek.com.au

Countryman Gidgegannup Small Farm Field Day –Gidgegannup, WA

Countryman Gidgegannup Small Farm Field Day is the place where those living and working on small farms in the agricultural sector can come together to view and compare a selection of products and services designed for efficient farming and rural practices.

When: May 25, 2025

More Info: gidgegannup.info/ small-farm-field-day

Elders FarmFest – Toowoomba, Qld

Elders FarmFest is Queensland’s largest premier primary field day. More than 2,500 individual companies and organisations will come to together to exhibit everything from ATVs and boom sprayers to grain driers,

FarmFest is a highlight of the calendar in Queensland. Image: Prime Creative Media

EVENTS

harvesters and rock pickers.

When: June 3–5, 2025

More info: acmruralevents.com.au/farmfest/ home

Hort Connections – Brisbane, Qld

Hort Connections is an opportunity for networking, education and business for the entire fresh produce industry. Speakers and exhibitors will showcase the latest research, technologies, and innovations to offer new perspectives on the future of Australasia’s horticulture industry.

When: June 4-6, 2025

More info: hortconnections.com.au

Fieldays – Mystery Creek, New Zealand

Whether you are from in town or out in the country, a Fieldays veteran or visiting for the first time, Fieldays has something for everyone. From the latest agricultural technology and ground-breaking innovations, to shopping, competitions and demonstrations, live shows and tasty food prepared by some of New Zealand’s top chefs, Fieldays showcases the best of New Zealand’s primary industries.

When: June 11-14, 2025

More info: www.fieldays.co.nz

Ag-Grow Field Days – Emerald, Qld

Ag-Grow dates to 1989, servicing central

Alice Springs Show – Alice Springs, NT

Started in 1960, the Alice Springs Show aims to promote, encourage and advocate for the development of agricultural, pastoral, horticultural, viticultural, commercial, industrial, cultural, handicraft, artistic and tourism pursuits in Central Australia.

When: July 4–5, 2025

More info:

www.alicespringsshow.com.au

Mudgee Small Farm Field Days – Mudgee, NSW

The Mudgee Small Farm Field Days has been running for over 40 years and attracts approximately 20,000 people per year. With the mission to inform, educate and connect rural people with information and solution providers there are free demonstrations and talks along with commercial stalls, live music and activities to suit the whole family.

When: July 11-12, 2025

More Info: mudgeefielddays.com.au

Australian Sheep & Wool Show – Bendigo, Vic

The Australian Sheep and Wool Show is your one stop shop for all things sheep. More than 2,700 sheep and 30,000 people assemble in Bendigo for three days in July for largest show of its type in the world.

When: July 18–20, 2025

other entertainment and produce.

When: August 3–4, 2025

More info: www.hamiltonshowgrounds.com.au

FutureAg Expo – Melbourne Showgrounds, Vic

In its second year, the FutureAg Expo will bring together exhibitors with cuttingedge agritech solutions - from precision farming to AI-powered analytics and robotic automation. With interactive demonstrations, expertled panels and presentations and many networking opportunities, FutureAg 2025 will be a ground-breaking event.

When: August 6-8, 2025

More info: www.futureagexpo.com.au

Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) – Brisbane, Qld

The Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) is Queensland’s largest annual event, attracting on average 400,000 people. The Ekka showcases the best of Queensland, attracting more than 21,000 competition entries from woodchop to giant vegetables, 10,000 animals from beef cattle to cats and dogs, world-class live entertainment, award-winning food and wine, carnival rides and showbags, family shopping, educational activities and much more.

When: August 9–17, 2025

More info: www.ekka.com.au

AgQuip Field Days – Gunnedah, NSW

Arguably one of the biggest field days on the Australian calendar, AgQuip has been supporting the agriculture world from its permanent, purpose-built site just outside of Gunnedah, NSW since 1973. Attracting more than 100,000 visitors each year and showcasing over 3,000 products, AgQuip has proven to be a much-anticipated event for both exhibitors and attendees alike.

When: August 19-21, 2025

More info: acmruralevents.com.au/ agquip/home

Dowerin Machinery Field Days – Dowerin, WA

Dowerin Machinery Field Days is the largest field day in Western Australia, attracting more than 25,000 visitors each year. Around 7,000 broadacre farmers attend the event each year and over half of all visitors stated their reason for attending was a strong interest in

Hort Connections brings together the horticulture industry. Image: Prime Creative Media

agricultural products and services. The Field Days has also won several tourism awards at a state and national level.

When: August 27–28, 2025

More info: www.dowerinfielddays.com.au

AgriShow Small Farms & Field Day Expo – Moss Vale, NSW

More than a line-up of products for sale, the AgriShow Small Farms & Field Day Expo is a space for people involved in all aspects of farming to get together in a community atmosphere. The event features education and demonstrations of farming machinery, tools, equipment and supplies from tractors and other vehicles to equipment and technology, so that visitors can get more from the event.

When: August 29-30, 2025

More info: agrishow.com.au

Royal Adelaide ShowWayville, SA

Established in 1839, the Royal Adelaide Show is now South Australia’s largest ticketed event. Attracting on average around 500,000 people, the Royal Adelaide Show hosts more than 450 exhibitor stands and offers businesses a once-a-year opportunity to expand into new markets, boost revenue and significantly increase brand awareness.

When: August 30-September 7, 2025

More info: www.theshow.com.au

Newdegate Machinery Field Days – Newdegate, WA

On the first Wednesday and Thursday

of September each year, the town of Newdegate hosts one of Western Australia’s premier agricultural events, the Newdegate Machinery Field Days. Machinery, technology and research, animals and livestock, outdoor and camping exhibits, art and photography, fashion, show bags, food and wine, local produce, live entertainment, and much, much more make this two-day event one not to missed, promoting and celebrating agriculture.

When: September 3-4, 2025

More info: www. newdegatemachineryfielddays.com

South Gippsland Dairy Expo –Korumburra, Vic

The South Gippsland Dairy Expo provides an opportunity for members of the dairying fraternity to be able to showcase the latest in dairy innovation and technology to local farmers. This event that is organised and run by volunteers, each year enthusiastic parents and volunteers from the Poowong Kindergarten organise the catering for all attendees. This year’s event can be viewed online, so visit the website and enjoy from the comfort of your own home. When: 2025 dates TBC (held on September 4-5, 2024)

More info: www.dairyexpo.org.au

Berry Small Farm Field Days – Berry, NSW

Held at one of the most attractive showgrounds in NSW, the Berry Small Farm Field Days is one of the cutest field

days on the Australian calendar. With equipment and machinery displays, demonstrations and farm animals galore, the Berry Small Farm Field Days is an event for everyone!

When: 2025 dates TBC (held on September 6-7, 2024)

More info: www.berryrotary.org.au/ small-farm-field-day

Agrotrend - Bundaberg, Qld

Agrotrend provides two days of farming and lifestyle-focused activities for the whole family to enjoy, whether you are keen to check out and invest in the latest farming technologies or after a great afternoon out with the family. Events include an alpaca competition, agility dog display, poultry show, vehicle displays and the Rum City Vintage Machinery Display.

When: September 12-13, 2025

More info: www.agrotrend.com.au

Riverland Field Days –Barmera, SA

Held over a two-day period, the Riverland Field Days are a staple in the region. With over 350 exhibitors and approximately 30 caterers, there is something for the whole family. The field days include the latest in agricultural machinery, equipment and services, demonstrations, information sessions, activities, entertainment, tastings, trade exhibits and much more.

When: September 12-13, 2025

More info: www.riverlandfielddays. com.au

Crowds will again flock to AgQuip in August. Image: Prime Creative Media

EVENTS

Henty Machinery Field Days – Henty, NSW

Located in the heart of southern NSW, Henty attracts the best of the best when it comes to farm machinery, agribusiness and rural living. More than 60,000 people flock to Henty Machinery Field Days each year and for good reason –book this one in your calendar.

When: September 23-25, 2025

More info: hmfd.com.au

Melbourne Royal Show –Melbourne, Vic

The Melbourne Royal Show is Victoria’s largest showcase of agriculture and is conducted annually by The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV). Visitors to the Melbourne Royal Show will be entertained all day with a huge range of all-inclusive, interactive and fun activities and attractions.

When: September 25–October 5, 2025

More info: royalshow.com.au

Perth Royal Show – Perth, WA

The Perth Royal Show is an annual agricultural show held in Perth, Western Australia at the Claremont Showground. It features informational exhibits, agricultural competitions and display animals, a fairground and rides, and showbags.

When: September 27-October 4, 2025

More info: perthroyalshow.com.au

Yorke Peninsula Field Days –Paskeville, SA

The three day biennial event has a major focus on agriculture and the future with extensive displays of the latest agriculture machinery and equipment, technology, information and services on a 30 hectare static display site area. With 700 exhibitors, guest speakers and family entertainment, the event provides a wide variety of quality display and demonstrations designed to be of interest and appeal to both rural and urban families.

When: September 30-October 2, 2025

More info: ypfielddays.com.au

Elmore Field Days – Elmore, Vic

From humble beginnings in 1964, Elmore Field Days has gained recognition as one of Australia’s premier agricultural Field Days. Elmore Field Days is focused on providing an unbiased service to agriculture and community with flow on economic benefit to regional areas.

When: October 7-9, 2025

More info: www.elmorefielddays.com.au

World Dairy Expo – Madison, Wisconsin, USA

World Dairy Expo serves as a forum for dairy producers, companies, organisations and other dairy enthusiasts to come together to compete, and to exchange ideas, knowledge, technology and commerce.

When: September 30-October 3, 2025

More info: worlddairyexpo.com

Shepparton Agricultural Show – Shepparton, Vic

Running since 1899, the Shepparton Agricultural Show is a family-focused event with animal shows, arts and crafts, horticulture, competitions and more.

When: 2025 dates TBC (held on October 12-13, 2024)

More info: sheppshow.com.au

Wandin Silvan Field Days –Wandin East, Vic

Wandin Silvan Field Days’ focus is showcasing horticultural and agricultural producers and their products and services. This enables visitors to have direct contact with the local growers and producers of this region.

When: October 17-18, 2025

More info: www. wandinsilvanfielddays.com.au

Royal Geelong Show – Geelong, Vic

The Royal Geelong Show is the region’s largest four-day show and boasts being the event that brings the country to the city. The event is jam packed full of blueribbon competitions, vintage machinery displays, live entertainment, nightly arena entertainment, Harry’s Farmyard where the kids can get up close and personal with the animals, thrill seeker rides, showbags and more.

When: 2025 dates TBC (held on October 17–20, 2024)

More info: www.royalgeelongshow.org.au

Elmore Field Days is held every October in northern Victoria. Image: Prime Creative Media

Murrumbateman Field Days – Murrumbateman, NSW

The Murrumbateman Field Days is one of the region’s premier events and the flagship annual event for the Yass Valley – Murrumbateman is around 30 minutes from Canberra.

When: October 18–19, 2025

More info: mfdays.com

Australian National Field Days – Borenore, NSW

The Australian National Field Days (ANFD) is the oldest annual agricultural exhibition in the country. Established in 1952, the ANFD offer visitors a unique insight into the future of agriculture with the commitment to Advancing Australian Agriculture. More than 600 exhibitors travel to the Borenore site (15km west of Orange, NSW) from all over Australia and internationally to display their products and services during the three-day event.

When: October 23–25, 2025

More info: anfd.com.au

Bendigo Agricultural Show –Bendigo, Vic

The Bendigo Agricultural Show Society was founded in 1859 and has conducted an annual spring show every year since. Alongside trade displays and animal competitions there is a whole host of family entertainment with demonstrations, motocross and a circus to name just a few.

When: October 24-25, 2025

More info: www.bendigoshow.com.au

Brunswick Show – Brunswick, WA

The Show Committee was formed in 1931 by local farmers and residents to show their livestock, farm and home-produced wares. The Show now attracts exhibitors and judges Australia-wide and has the reputation of being one of Australia’s biggest one-day shows. It aims to provide entertainment while still maintaining its agricultural focus.

When: October 25, 2025

More info: www.brunswickshow.com.au

Agritechnica - Hanover, Germany

Agritechnica is the world’s largest trade fair for agricultural machinery and equipment, attracting 2,800 exhibitors and hundreds of thousands of visitors to the week-long event.

When: November 9-15, 2025

More info: agritechnica.com/en

Noorat Show – Noorat, Vic

Founded in 1932 to promote agricultural and industrial progress in this region the Noorat & District Ag & Pastoral Society has been conducting an annual show every year. The Noorat Show is one of the largest one-day shows between Geelong and Mt Gambier. The Show boasts an amazing variety of local and not-solocal businesses, is a showcase for regional livestock, working dogs and horseflesh and provides an array of entertainment for the whole family throughout the day.

When: November 15, 2025

More info: www.nooratshow.org.au

The most recent Agritechnica in 2023 attracted big crowds. Image: Chris McCullough

stock.adobe.com

Under the bus

WAFarmers CEO Trevor Whittington says attempts to close a school bus route in rural Western Australia is damaging the fabric of these communities

For over a century, governments across Australia have been tasked with ensuring rural communities have access to essential services – a commitment that has held the bush together for generations.

From one-room schoolhouses spaced every 10 or 15 miles to the first country school bus runs, these services made it possible for families to live and work on the land while ensuring their children had access to education.

That promise, however, now seems conditional – depending largely on how hard rural communities are prepared to fight to keep even the most basic services running.

Take the recent battle over the Yuna school bus run in Western Australia.

To the government, a single rural bus route in the small community of Yuna

might seem inconsequential.

To the families who rely on it, however, it’s a lifeline.

It allows them to remain on their farms while ensuring their kids can attend school without enduring gruelling, hours-long commutes.

Cutting such services forces families to make hard choices: move closer to town, spend hours fighting bureaucratic battles, or fend for themselves.

The Yuna community fought hard and secured a reprieve – for now.

But with the state government citing cost-cutting and ‘efficiency’, how long can such victories last?

The Public Transport Authority (PTA) claims low ridership justifies cutting rural school bus services.

If that’s the logic, where does it end?

Will the same approach apply to the 141

remote Aboriginal communities, many of which lack an economic base? Or are there different rules for the Wheatbelt compared to the remote bush?

This decision highlights an uncomfortable divide: urban Australia enjoys abundant infrastructure and investment, r ural regions are told to make do with less, and the most remote communities are left untouched.

A history of rural disregard

The battle over the Yuna bus run is just the latest chapter in a long history of rural neglect.

In WA alone, we’ve seen attempts to close Moora Residential College and the Moora Hospital.

In both cases, community outrage

Trevor Whittington is CEO of WAFarmers

School buses are crucial to reduce isolation for rural communities in Western Australia. Image: Santiago/

forced the release of millions in funding to keep these services alive.

The lesson? Governments seem willing to risk alienating rural voters, at least until election season looms.

The PTA’s inability to recognise that rural services cannot be assessed by urban standards is staggering.

Rural children deserve the same access to education as their city coun terparts. Yet, this government seems c rides exceeding 90 minutes each way, flouting its own Student Transport Assistance guidelines.

suburb? Absolutely not.

city projects.

project – not to mention the additional billion annually for running costs – is being built to secure votes in Perth’s urban fringe.

of thousands required to save a rural bus route.

The ripple effects of service cuts

Cutting school bus routes is about more than access to education – it’s about the future of rural communities.

When families are forced to leave, they take with them the fabric of these regions.

Their departure opens the door for foreign investors and mining companies eager to snap up farmland for car-

that city families take for granted. A school bus route might cost tens of thousands to operate, but its value to rural communities is immeasurable.

If we don’t act now, the cuts won’t stop at Yuna.

Families will be forced to homeschool or send their children to boarding schools – pulling kids from their homes at a time when they should be growing up in their communities.

Throughout this fight, the silence from Australia’s agricultural ministers has been deafening. Where was the advocacy for rural families when the Yuna community raised the alarm?

If the Premier had to intervene to resolve the issue, it’s a credit to him – but it raises questions about the role of cabinet ministers who are meant to represent rural interests.

It’s time for state and federal governments to stop throwing the bush under t he bus.

Rural Australia has long fought for its fair share, and it is high time its voice was heard

Whittington says cutting school bus routes damages the fabric of these communities. Image: mastersky/ stock.adobe.com

CASEIHPUMA165(VIC) 4xxxhrs.40kP/shifttrans,auto steer,IsoBusPro700Display

$148,500

2018CASEIHFARMALL115C(VIC) 880hours,FEL,4in1bckand forks

$89,500

2019ELHOSCORPIO550(VIC) goodconditionreadyforwork

$95,000

KUHNVB7160OC(VIC)

ISOControlled,oneseasonold with1500bales

$109,000

CASEIHMAXXUM135(VIC) 50kmtrans,FELsoftride-4in1 bktandforks&QRHYDcoupler

$128,000

CLAASARION530(VIC) FELbucket&hayforkQRHYD onloaderandthirdfunction

$93,500

CASEIHDC162(VIC) MowerConditioner,4mroller mowerconditioner.

$19,800

KUHNVB2190(VIC) netwrap,22000bales. $33,000

CASEIHPUMA125(VIC) 50kpowershifttrans,1225hrs, FEL

$159,900

DEUTZ-FAHRAGROTRONM600(VIC) 5925hrs,50kTransmission. Frontaxle&CabSusp.FEL

KUHNRW1810(VIC) 2020model,storedinshed, two-pointhitch,only7756bales

KRONECOMPRIMACV150XC(VIC) 30,000BALESOLDWITHNEW BELTSANDSLATS

$82,500

CLAASSCORPION7035(VIC) 6000hrs,GPBucket,Pallet& HayForks&SilageGrab

$85,000

NEWHOLLANDT6040(VIC) 2800hourswithFEL.Bucket& Forks

$93,500

JOHNDEERE6320(VIC) 6660hrs,runswell,overall great100hploadertractor.

MCHALEV660(VIC) 46000bales,2mpickup,16 knives,dropfloor

$33,000

Modest numbers

National tractor sales recorded another decline in November, the Tractor and Machinery Association says, however Western Australia was one state to report increased figures

November was another difficult month for sales of agricultural tractors as dealers continue to report reduced demand across the nation.

Just under 1,000 tractors were sold nationwide for the month, which is 20 per cent below the same time last year.

With one month of data remaining to complete 2024, there has been just 10,000 tractors delivered for the year, which is now 24 per cent below the first 11 months of 2023.

This should put full year sales either at or below 11,000 tractors, which will be the lowest level since 2019.

November also saw the release of the TMA quarterly business sentiment survey, delivered by Kynetec, with over 120 dealers from across the nation responding.

Key findings include further reductions in satisfaction with turnover, a slight increase in expectation of new tractor sales, u nchanged expectations for combine sales, decreasing expectations for balers and hay tool sales, and a reduction in inventory levels.

The glimmer of hope for tractor sales, combined with ongoing inventory reductions, provide reasons to have faith for i mproved sales in 2025.

The report is covered in more detail in this edition of Farms & Farm Machinery, while you can also read the full report on

the TMA website.

Looking at the state-by-state picture, all states were down except for Western Australia, which saw a rise of 14 per cent against the same month last year but remains 11 per cent behind for the year to date.

Queensland was behind by 13 per cent against the same month last year, to be 21 per cent behind year to date.

New South Wales was down 22 per cent during November and remains 31 per cent behind for the year, while Victoria reported a drop of 12 per cent, to be down 20 per cent compared with the same time last year.

year to date.

Gary Northover is executive director of the Tractor & Machinery Association of Australia (TMA). He can be contacted on (03) 9813 8011 or at gary@tma.asn.au

Finally, the 200hp-plus (150kW-plus) range was 40 per cent down compared to the same month last year and is now 15 per cent behind for the year to date.

South Australia had another big decline, off a whopping 64 per cent for the month, and is now down 35 per cent for the year to date.

Tasmania was off 72 per cent for the month, however sales in the Northern Territory finished 80 per cent up.

Sales in each of the reporting categories were down this month.

The small, under 40hp (under 30kW) category was down by 2 per cent to be 20 per cent behind for the year to date.

The 40hp to 100hp (30–75kW) range was down by 14 per cent and is now behind 33 per cent year to date, while the 100hp to 200hp (75–150kW) category reported a drop of 26 per cent for the month and sits 23 per cent down for the

Sales of combine harvesters are not keeping up with last year and currently sit 27 per cent behind on a year-to-date basis, which marks a significant pull back.

Baler sales were steady in the month and are eight per cent behind for the year to date, while sales of out-front mowers were up 12 per cent in the month in time for mowing season.

Save the date

The TMA is pleased to announce the 2025 annual conference is to be held in Melbourne on Thursday July 24.

The association will be returning to the Hyatt Essendon Fields, with further details to be made available in the new year.

You can also follow the TMA on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Tractor sales were lower in all size categories during November, TMA says. Image: danmir12/stock.adobe.com

Innovative robots

The world’s first horticulture focused venture capital fund will offer up to $60 million to early-age startups, with the aim of accelerating innovative products and services

Horticulture has always been a key sector in Australia’s agricultural landscape but is struggling with a host of challenges that prove a threat to the industry.

According to grower-owned research and development corporation Hort Innovation, the production of horticultural products including fruits, vegetables, nuts and turf, is currently worth $16 billion annually, making it Australia’s third largest agricultural sector.

Representing 17 per cent of total farming output, Hort Innovation CEO Brett Fifield says horticultural production is enduring unprecedented challenges, such as a lack of skilled labour and its increasing cost, along with high production costs, as well as extreme weather impacts.

“On top of those challenges, Australia’s fruit and vegetable consumption dropped by up to 8 per cent to June 2023, compared to the year before,” he says.

To help combat these problems, Hort Innovation has partnered with Australi-

an-headquartered investment firm Artesian, to launch the world’s first horticulture focused venture capital fund.

A non-levy co-investment fund of up to $60 million will be offered to high-growth and early-age startups, with the aim of accelerating innovative products and services from their infancy to ready for market.

“Hort Innovation has partnered with Artesian to build bigger, bolder investments in innovation and create a flexible investment framework to accelerate research and development,” Fifield says.

“By investing in startups, we are enabling fresh ideas, never-before-seen technologies, and new ways of thinking to make growing easier, more sustainable and cost-effective, and lift consumption.”

Artesian will manage the Hort Innovation Venture Fund, with initial investments in eligible businesses to be made over the next five years.

One of the key focus areas of the Hort

Innovation Venture Fund will be increasing productivity, which will help growers to become more adaptable, resilient and financially stable.

This may be with artificial intelligence to predict what to do and when to do it, new automation options, or the use of satellite technology to guide decision-making.

Sustainability will also be a key focus, with the fund aiming to deliver innovations that growers can implement. One example posed by Hort Innovation is enhancing monitoring capabilities to optimise water use and viable options to reduce chemical use.

With Australia’s fruit and vegetable consumption declining, another aim will be to drive demand back up and meet changing consumer preferences, to encourage healthy living.

Breeding produce that is nutrient dense, has a longer shelf life and is more aesthetically pleasing could be a solution.

I ncreasing the workforce of the horticul-

tural industry will also be integral, with the fund focusing on opportunities to upskill existing industry participants and expand local career opportunities, particularly in the science and technology areas.

The Hort Innovation Venture Fund is the first fund to be rolled out through Hort Innovation Frontiers – a program dedicated to seizing big opportunities and developing solutions to horticulture’s major challenges.

Launched in June, the dedicated co-investment program will invest up to $500 m illion over the next 10 years.

“The frontiers project is a bold step for Australian horticulture and Hort Innovation, and we’re doing it to secure the future of f ruit, vegetables, nuts, and turf, for not only the growers, but also delivering value to consumers and the rural and regional communities that we support,” Fifield says.

“Our Hort Innovation Frontiers Venture Fund teams up with the brightest minds internationally, linking them with the challenges that our industry faces to ensure t hat we have the innovation that will invest in a future for horticulture, not just today, but over the next decade and beyond.

tom/stock.adobe.com

Hort Innovation’s Frontiers program with invest up to $500 million over the next 10 years. Image: sompong_

Hort Innovation CEO Brett Fifield

“Australian horticulture plays a critical role to ensure that every Australian has great nutrition, so this venture capital fund will focus on how consumers are responding, and will ensure that we get fruit and vegetables onto the plates of Australians every single day.”

Macadamia grower and founder of Fitzroy River Plantation, Henrik Christiansen, says the new structure is valuable for growers to provide feedback on what solutions can be ramped up for commercialisation.

“The Frontiers program provides the framework and the rigour for innovation to come into our businesses,” he says.

“The great thing about Hort Innovation is that they have access to a lot of growers, so from a tech developer or innovation developers’ point of view, that’s a massive part of being able to get their technology on farm and proving it suits the environment.”

Singaporean technology company Polybee is already reaping the benefits of a partnership with Hort Innovation, trialling its product with Australian growers and researchers.

It has developed microdrones that could

solve the issue of traditional pollinator bees being reluctant to pollinate in glasshouse environments, thus requiring pollination by hand.

This innovative product pollinates plants using the wind from small inbuilt

Hort Innovation Venture Fund will aim to accelerate innovative products that can solve industry problems. Image: kinwun/stock. adobe.com

fans and operates 24/7, automatically returning to a dock to recharge when required. This can reduce the labour costs and lack of efficiency associated with hand pollination.

One piece of technology that has already

Rocky River Ag Services

Autonomous mango pickers have been developed through Hort Innovation and are in the process of being commercialised. Image: Hort Innovation

been implemented on-farm and is chang ing the way one growing business farms is the Carbon Robotics Laserweeder.

Victoria’s Tripod Farmers has been us ing the artificial intelligence-powered im plement on the back of one of its tractors, to identify weeds that human eyes can’t see, and eradicate them before they grow.

It has an array of 30 high powered CO2 lasers that zaps the weeds and stops them getting to the reproductive stage.

“Technology like the laser weeder here is the future of farming,” Tripod Farmers’ Simon Raj says.

“There’s always going to be a balance of technology and human intervention, and they’ve got to work together.”

For more information on the Frontiers project and the Hort Innovation Venture Fund, visit horticulture.com.au/ hort-innovation/our-work/frontiers/

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HARDICOMMANDER 10000LTR 45maluminiumboom isobus,oneowner,in excellentcondition,will beworkshopserviced. S47. TA1174680. POA

Grill for good

Nothing brings people together like a barbecue – and a cancer fundraising campaign is encouraging Australians to turn their next one into a BarbeCURE

BarbeCURE is Cure Cancer’s national fundraising campaign, encouraging the Australian community to get together and turn their next BBQ into a BarbeCURE - an Aussie barbie that raises money for cancer research.

This summer, Australians are invited to turn their next BBQ into something truly impactful.

By hosting a BarbeCURE, you can enjoy good food, great company and help raise funds for life-saving cancer research.

It’s simple: gather your family, friends and community, fire up the grill, and ask your guests to donate.

Whether it’s in your backyard, at the beach, or a local park, your BarbeCURE can be anything you want it to be.

The funds raised will support brilliant scientists working across all cancer types, funding cutting-edge research that improves treatments and outcomes for patients.

Why it matters

Cancer continues to take a devastating toll, claiming nearly 10 million lives every year globally and affecting millions more.

The only way to change this is through research.

Since its inception, Cure Cancer’s BarbeCURE campaign has raised over $1.5 million, directly supporting emerging cancer researchers who are improving cancer care.

This year, the organisation aims to raise $200,000 to fund two years of groundbreaking cancer research.

By hosting a BarbeCURE, you will be part of a movement that accelerates breakthroughs, saves lives and brings us closer to a future where cancer is no longer a threat.

One of the researchers supported by BarbeCURE is Dr Ben Wylie, whose groundbreaking work focuses on childhood sarcoma.

Based at The Kids Research Institute Australia in Perth, Wylie and his team have developed an innovative immunotherapy gel.

This gel, crafted from natural materials found in the body, targets surgical areas to activate the patient’s immune system, helping to eliminate any remaining cancer cells.

For children facing aggressive cancers like sarcoma, this research offers renewed hope for safer, more effective treatments and a brighter future.

“Most new cancer treatments are developed for adults and then adapted for childhood cancers, but children are not little adults,” Wylie says.

“Support for childhood cancer research is vital to develop better treatments for cancers like sarcoma and improve outcomes for children and their families.

“This project funded by Cure Cancer

BarbeCURE ambassadors Manu Feildel, Anna Polyviou and Gary Mehigan

will enable me to conduct cutting-edge research with the potential to create more effective treatments with fewer side effects.”

Your BarbeCURE can help fund critical research like Dr Wylie’s, creating a brighter future for cancer patients and their families.

How to host

Hosting a BarbeCURE is as easy as it is rewarding. There are four simple steps to be involved.

1. Plan your event

Decide on a date, location, and guest list. Whether it’s a casual weekend barbecue, a Christmas celebration, or a New Year’s gathering, any event can become a BarbeCURE.

2. Register and share Register your event at www.barbecure. com.au and invite your guests to join in. Use your social media to spread the word, tagging @curecancerau and using

the hashtag #barbecure.

3. Grill and fundraise

Fire up the grill, enjoy delicious food, and encourage your guests to make a donation.

Every contribution, big or small, helps fund life-saving cancer research.

4. Celebrate and reflect

Share your success with photos and updates.

Let your guests know the difference they’ve made by supporting cancer research.

Ambassadors and inspiration

BarbeCURE’s ambassadors - chefs

Manu Feildel, Gary Mehigan, and Anna Polyviou - are passionate about supporting cancer research and can’t wait to see how Australians make their BarbeCURE special. Participants can take inspiration from their creativity and enthusiasm and explore their recipes on the BarbeCURE website.

Why not try Manu’s chargrilled pork cutlet with thyme-roasted grapes and verjus sauce, Gary’s charred green vegetables with wasabi dressing and sesame, or Anna’s peach melba pavlova smash for a show-stopping dessert?

As the holidays approach, it’s the perfect time to combine good times with a meaningful cause.

By hosting a BarbeCURE, you will be creating unforgettable memories with loved ones while contributing to life-saving cancer research.

Since its launch, BarbeCURE has proven that even small gatherings can have a big impact. Raising $200,000 will support two years of pioneering research, giving hope to patients and families everywhere, so why not turn your next barbecue into a BarbeCURE?

Registrations can be made at www.barbecure.com.au

Participants are encouraged to get a group together and host a BarbeCURE.

UNIBOOMHOODEDBOOM SPRAY 2007,HoodedBoom SprayerwithcalibratedGPS system.800litretank,5hp HondaMotor,Left&right foammarker,widefloatation tyres.Comeswith tow trailer. Idealforcommercial spraying,4 cylinder.VIC. DIY1251552. 0414 363 254. $30,000

SUPERNOVATD3.0-190 Triple Disc/No-Till/DirectSeedDrill Heavydutyspecification meetsaffordability.The Supernovaseeddrills was bornfromaneedforamore versatileseederforsmaller investment.Hugevarietyof features,versatilitytooperate inwiderrangeofconditions, N/A. QLD. DIY1238844. 0422 469 893. $56,000

SUPERNOVATD2.1-190 Triple Disc/No-Till/DirectSeedDrill Heavydutyspecification meetsaffordability.The Supernovaseeddrills was bornfromaneedforamore versatileseederforsmaller investment.Hugevarietyof features,versatilitytooperate inwiderrangeofconditions, N/A. QLD. DIY1238845. 0422 469 893. $52,800

JOHNDEERE8960 Complete UnitJD8960&12FtObryan EjectorLaserScoop,with spectraphysics720laser transmitter,remotecontrol forcabandlasertower, RW8960P004240.QLD. DIY1251371. 0419 717 255. $160,000

JOHNBERENDSCYCLOMATIC 1800HIGHBODY ingood condition,somesurfacerust butalwaysstoredinthe shed.Ithadnewbeltsand bearingsfitted12monthsago andnotusedsince.Hammers areworn ononesideand freshontheother. Very sound machine,..NSW. DIY1251128. 0412 098 989. $6,000

KUBOTAXG850 2022,Kubota XG850 RTV, A5KH1PGNHNGOY1126.NSW. DIY1249354. 0405 978 609. $15,500

MYTENGINEERINGMYT TR4100 2024,New4.1m Rubber Tyre Roller,11R22.5 tyres,waterfillable, removabledrawbar,heavy dutyboxsectionframe,sand blastedand2pkpainted, MYT TR4100.QLD. DIY1250197. 0437 520 468. $8,789

BAUERMEISTERUT42/USCH 1978,BauermeisterGrinders are idealforfinegrindingofsugar,spices,grains(in pieces),gypsum,limestone.Thismachineis reconditionedandfittedwitha0.8mmscreenforultra fineproducts,comeswitha75kwmotor,103083.QLD. DIY1242039. 0407 151 545.

$29,500

BERTIMULCHEREKR180 2022,Frontandrearcompactmulchertofit tractorsfrom30to70 HP. Suitedtomulch grass,bushes,scrubandpruningupto2-3cm, 115177.VIC. DIY1239284. 0419 521 644. $7,800ONO

andhandprimingpumpThe Pluttoexhaustprimer automaticallyprimesupyour pumpwhenyousarttheengine Primingkit.S18. DPLIn27578. $490

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SELFPRIMING4PUMP 4selfpriming,beltdrive. AW54939-FM077-043-02. DPLIn27541. $654

$56,000INCLGST

JOHNDEERE5525FWATRACTOR withselflevellingfrontendloader, 4.1bucket,yearapproximately2005-2008,4wheeldrive,ROPS& Roof,91horsepowerapprox,PTO,withfrontweightframe(no weights),approx1,968hoursindicated,2newfronttyres.7073. TA1125206.

$18,000INCLGST

$78,000INCLGST

wheeldrive,withVision-Lift50FrontEndLoader,3pointlinkage, with 4pronghayfork&bucket,approximately115horsepower,2,900 hoursapproximately.7355. TA1227784.

CaseIHMaxxum115Tractor,4

CASEIHMAXXUM115TRACTOR

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KOMATSUFD45T-5FORKLIFT

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JohnDeere5525FWATractor,year approx. 2005-2008,4wheeldrive,FrontEndLoader,withbucket&forks,ROPS&roof,91 horsepowerapproximately,PTO,withfrontweightframe(noweights),approx.1,900 hoursindicated,3pointlinkage (2OF).7089.TA1133372.

JOHNDEERE5525FWATRACTOR

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GMS10KS-AU,415/240volt,3phase,self-excitedwhichallowsfor automaticswitchingfromyourmainspowersupplytobackup diesel generator,21,421hours,Kubota10KVA,fullyserviced.7367. TA1231786.

PRPowerGenset, model

PRPOWER10KVAGENSET

$26,450INCLGST

CaseInternational3230TractorwithBenWyeKBF3000FrontFork AttachmentwithForks,4wheeldrive,60horsepowerapproximately,3 pointlinkage,rollframe&roof.7351. TA1227753.

CASEIH3230TRACTORWITHFRONTFORKATTACHMENT

JohnDeere6105RTractor,4x 4, 3pointlinkage,soundtyresFront320/85/R24Rear420/85/R34, with childseat,transmissionfaulty SELLINGFORWRECKINGASAWHOLEONLY$15,500INC.7387. TA1249246.

JOHNDEERE6105R4X4TRACTOR

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New HollandHayliner317SmallSquareBaler,hasbeenshedded,serial no: 4501,verygoodcondition wrightstractors@bigpond.com.7407. TA1251513. $6,950INCLGST

JohnDeere315CBackhoe,4 cylinderdiesel.7314. TA1217240. $22,000INCL GST

JOHNDEERE315CBACKHOE

KUBOTAM8540TRACTORWITHFRONTMOUNTEDFORK&FRONT TYNES KubotaM8540Tractor,4wheeldrive,withFrontForkAttachment& Front Tynes,4cylinderdieselturbo,extra4bankelectrichydraulics,85 horsepower approximately,airconditioning(working),approximately5,700hoursindicated, engineno:2DQ1454,serialno:87908,ROPS.7144.TA1162678. $58,450INC CASE3230TRACTORFRONTENDLOADERFORKS& BUCKET 4wheeldrive,QuickReleasefrontendloader,forks& bucket,rollframe&roof,approximately1,600hours/60 horsepower, immaculate,withbooks.7262. TA1190218. $29,000INCL GST

JCB3CXBACKHOELOADER,4CYLINDERDIESEL approx. 2,589genuinehoursindicated,rearextenderboom,3x buckets,nooilleaks.7135. TA1159450. $89,000INCL

new. 7353. TA1227757. $24,850INCL

HAY SEASONS SPECIALS

SAM PEARSON 4T BELT SPREADER

WALLABY 5T MANURE SPREADER

HAY SEASONS SPECIALS

JF ROTARY 3PL HAY RAKE

6FT NABILI 3PL MULCHER

COACHLAND

MARSHALL

TONNE BELT SPREADER

WANTED TO BUY TRACTORS FOR WRECKING

CASE

585, 595, 685, 695, 800, 830, 832, 870 2WD, 885, 895, 900, 930, 932, 956, 970, 1030, 1032, 1070, 1194, 1270, 1370, 1390, 1394, 1594, 1690, 2090, 2094, 2096, 2290, 2290, 2294, 2390, 2394, 2470, 2590, 2594, 2670, 2870, 3394, 3594, 4230, 4496, 4694, 4994, 7110, 7210, CVX 170, CX60, MAGNUM 275, MAGNUM 290, MAGNUM 305, MX80C, MX255, MX285, PUMA, STX 375 QUADTRACK, STX425, STX440 QUADTRACK, STX450, STX485, STX500

CASE IH

1896, 4690, 4890, 4894, 5120, 5130, 5140, 5150, 7120, 7130, 7140, 7150, 7220, 7230, 7240, 7250, 8910, 8920, 8930, 8940, 8950, 9130, 9150, 9170, 9180, 9250, 9260, 9280, 9350, 9370 QUADTRACK, 9380 QUADTRACK, 9390, MX90, MX130, MX135, MX150, MX230, MX240, MX200, MX220, MXM175, MX270, MXM190, STX375, STX440, STX480

CATERPILLAR

CHALLENGER SERIES – 35, 45, 55, 65, 65C, 75, 75C, 75E, 85C, 85D, 95E, 65E TRACK MACHINE, MT765D, MT765C, MT865C

FORD

3000, 3610, 4000, 4600, 4610, 5000, 5610, 5640, 6000, 6600, 6610, 6700, 6810, 7000, 7600, 7700, 7710, 7840, 8000, 8210, 8230, 8340, 8401, 8600, 8700, 9000, 9600, 9700,, TW5, TW10, TW15, TW20, TW25, TW30

INTERNATIONAL

385, 414, 434, 444, 484, 514, 554, 564, 574, 585, 624, 660, 674, 686, 696, 706, 756,766, 786, 856, 866, 885, 886, 956, 976, 986, 1056, 1066, 1086, 1256, 1466, 1468, 1486, 1566, 1568, 1586, 3288, 3388, 3588, 3688, 3788, 4166, 4186, 4366, 4386, 4568, 4586, 4786, 5088, 5288, 5488, 6388, 6588, 6788, 844S, AW6, AW7, AWD6, AWD7, B250, B275, W6, W7,

JOHN DEERE

950, 1050, 1130, 1140, 1640, 1750, 2010, 2020, 2030, 2040, 2120, 2130, 2140, 2250, 2450, 2650, 2850, 3010, 3020, 3120, 3130, 3140, 3350, 3640, 3650, 4010, 4020, 4030, 4040, 4050, 4055, 4230, 4240, 4250, 4255, 4430, 4440, 4450, 4455, 4555, 4560, 4620, 4630, 4640, 4650, 4755, 4760, 4840, 4850, 4955, 4960, 5010, 5020, 5310, 5515, 5300, 6030, 6110, 6170R, 6200, 6220, 6300, 6310, 6320, 6330, 6400, 6410, 6620, 6630 Premium, 6810, 6820, 7210, 7330, 7510, 7520, 7600, 7610, 7700, 7800, 7810, 7920, 7930, 8100, 8200, 8230, 8285R, 8300, 8310, 8320R, 8330, 8345RT, 8360RT, 8370RT, 8400, 8400 TRACK, 8410, 8430, 8440, 8450, 8520, 8520T, 8530, 8630, 8640, 8650, 8760, 8770, 8850, 8960, 8970, 9400, 9410R, 9420T, 9430T

NEW HOLLAND

7840, 8430, 8560, 8870, 8970, 9482, 9682, 9860, 9880, 9882, 9482, 9484, G210, G240, L85, L95, T6020, T7030, TG230, TG235, TG255, TG285, TJ375, TJ425, TJ450, TL70, TL90, TM125, TM135, TM195, TN55D, TN95F, TS100, TS100A, TS110A, TS125A, T9060

STEIGER

KP525, KP 1350, KP1325, KP1400, BEARCAT 3 & 4, COUGAR 2 & 4 CM250, PANTHER 2, PANTHER 3 ST310 & ST325, PANTHER 4 CM325, TIGER ST470,

VERSATILE

500, 700, 800, 835, 836, 855, 875, 895, 900, 935, 945, 946, 950, 956, 975, 976, 1150, 1156

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Trusted dealer

With a reputation for reducing machine downtime, LK Diesel Services has been appointed as a Victorian authorised dealer for Isuzu Power Solutions

Braeside-based LK Diesel Services has expanded its offering to Isuzu Power Solutions (IPS), after being officially appointed as one of its authorised Victorian dealers.

Now a part of the IPS dealer network, LK Diesel will cover the supply of Isuzu diesel-powered industrial engines, power units, generator sets, replacement parts and repairs.

With several other IPS dealers in Victoria, LK Diesel is the only one that is not also a dealer of Isuzu Trucks – enabling the business to have full focus on Isuzu’s industrial power solutions.

When categorising what IPS covers, LK Diesel’s Bernard Kuhlwind says it’s easier to say what they don’t – such as trucks and cars.

“Isuzu Power Solutions is all about Isuzu engines fitted into machinery, such as excavators, generators and pumps,” he says.

IPS has been trusted by Australian businesses and original equipment manufacturers since 2018, and LK Diesel is just the latest group to join the network.

Kuhlwind says LK Diesel Services is renowned for reducing its customers’ machinery downtime, a reputation that perfectly aligned with IPS.

“We’ve been trusted to deal with Epiroc’s machines at the Broken Hill mines for many years, where they have paid us to send mechanics up there and work on their engines,” he says.

“Whether that’s repairing them, or even just diagnosing faults and removing engines, they trust us to keep their machines going.”

Leading provider of airport ground services and air cargo handling Swissport has also trusted LK Diesel Services to look after its engines – putting LK Diesel in a strong position as a valued dealer.

Now that the partnership has been made official, LK Diesel Services is aiming to spread the word with its customers on IPS, making sure that their machines are powering ahead.

“For any maintenance, Isuzu Power Solutions will recommend us to customers,” Kuhlwind says.

“We hope that the people using Isuzu’s engines in their machinery will trust us too.”

LK Diesel Services won’t be working on IPS reconditioned engines just yet, but is ready to sell new engines.

“If customers can’t source an engine or aren’t happy with their current one from another brand, we can solve the problem with an appropriate Isuzu engine,” Kuhlwind says.

“We will do our best to make sure the customer has their machine up and running as soon as possible.”

For more information on Isuzu Power Solutions products, visit www.lkdiesel.com.au or call 03 9588 6900.

of local welders, fabricators, and educators contributing to the industry’s growth. Image: dear2627/stock.adobe.com

talent

Upgrades to a paint manufacturing facility and a rail bridge were recognised at Weld Australia’s 2024 Victoria and Tasmania Welding Excellence Awards

Weld Australia’s 2024 Victoria and Tasmania Welding Excellence Awards were announced in early November.

“The winners this year embody the pursuit of cutting-edge, sustainable solutions that enhance project outcomes while reducing risks, alongside initiatives that broaden and deepen the skilled workforce within the welding sector,” CEO of Weld Australia Geoff Crittenden says.

Acciona won the Victoria Project of the Year Awards for 2024 for its works package for PPG’s Plant C manufacturing facility in Clayton, Melbourne.

Acciona fabricated all piping and tubing and structural supports – including mild steel structural frames and stainless steel pressure piping and vessels at the new water-based paint manufacturing facility.

For Tasmania, the Project of the Year Award went to Crisp Bros & Haywards for its work on the Fyans Street rail bridge.

The group fabricated the centre steel section of the bridge, using specialist fabrication and transport equipment to safely and efficiently weld, rotate and transport sections of this scale.

Tasmanian original equipment manufacturer Jayben Group took out the Company of the Year Award in Fabrication for Tasmania, with the company developing its own branded products and solutions to an expanding group of customers across Australia and Asia.

Jayben specialises in power train products and light to medium industrial plant and equipment including R&D, engineering, manufacture and domestic and international distribution.

Victoria’s Hanlon Industries, Company of the Year – Fabrication award winner, is a specialist in steel fabrication, providing inhouse solutions including concept design, project management, manufacturing and construction across road, rail, airports and commercial developments.

Isuzu Power Solutions will be offered by Victorian dealer LK Diesel Services. Images: Isuzu Power Solutions

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