Snowy Monaro Farmer - March 2023

QUALITY MONARO CATTLE ON SHOW

Cooma Combined Agents held their first weaner cattle sale last Wednesday with plenty of quality Monaro bred cattle on display.

Agents yarded 3950 head in wet conditions yet this didn’t deter the buying fraternity, with over 80 registered bidders from NSW, Victoria, and South Australia, along with strong support from locals.

The prices lifted across all categories compared to recent

markets partly due to the widespread rain seen and also the quality of cattle.

The heavy autumn steers reached close to $1700 coming back around $3.70-$3.90/kgs. Early Spring drop steers topped at $1540 with several pens making over $1450.

The main run of steers made $1300-$1450, making close to $4.50/ kg. As the weight came back the c/kg rose, with several pens of

lighter weight calves making up to $5.00/kg.

There was a noticeable difference between the straight black cattle and others with buyers paying a premium for good quality, Angus cattle.

Heifers followed the same trends as the steers with the heavy end making up to $1470 and the c/kg rising as the weights went down.

The majority of the heifers made

between $1050-$1200. There was very good local support on the heifer job with plenty of buyers still trying to take advantage of the remaining long grass.

Nutrien, Elders and Boller & Co thanked all vendors for their continued support and presentation of the cattle. They also thank all buyers and look forward to the next Cooma Combined Agents weaner sale on April 19.

Making his mark - Chippy celebrates 50 years

The year was 1973 and a young man, William Graeme (Chippy) Boller walked into Pitt Son & Montague Stock & Station Agents to begin his career that has spanned 50 years.

Pitt Son & Montague Principal, Frank Montague, not only taught Chippy the business of being a Stock & Station Agent, he also remained a friend and mentor throughout his life.

Sleep-ins and nice smelling clothes were soon replaced by cold, early mornings drafting lambs and sheep or travelling around the Monaro visiting local farming families.

Chippy has seen all the good and the heart ache that comes with the stock industry. He has seen the “droughts and flooding rains”, the high prices and the putting down of stock due to no feed. The stock and station industry has seen many changes over the years and Chippy has drawn on resilience to adapt to changes and embrace new ways, even with ever evolving technology!

The Cooma Associated Agents was formed in 1960 and Chippy has been a strong supporter of livestock sales in Cooma for the past 50 years.

Pitt Sons were taken over by Elders in 1982 along with A.M.L & F and the three Cooma agencies became one, trading as Elders Pastoral.

With Elders Graeme worked as a stockman, and later in 1988 he joined John Mooney & Co.to continue his career.

In 1990 Graeme commenced his own private agency, trading as Boller & Company.

Starting from scratch the

business developed into a dynamic, well-established Stock & Station, Real-estate business offering clients a full range of services on the Monaro, including livestock sales, real estate sales and property management over the past 33 years.

Graeme a local, has an intimate knowledge of the district’s needs, he keeps a keen eye on the rural scene and offers a great deal of experience and expertise to all

those he deals with.

He is also an active member of the Cooma Associated Agents. Being a true community

minded businessman, he has given opportunities to many local employees throughout his working life.

Are you prepared for planning season?

Imogen McGrath, Agronomist - Nutrien Ag Solutions

Profitable farming is all about timing. Whether that be time of sowing, time of lambing or calving, or the time between rainfall events.

The “luck” that we hear about every so often is a perfect example of a management decision made and implemented at the correct time. But when we sit back and think about our farming systems and how they operate, it’s not surprising that some of us find timing a difficult concept to grasp.

In a nutshell, everything comes down to planning. Without planning, the timing of crucial management practices can crumble.

Consider the last two or three years on your property. Were you caught with too much feed and too few mouths? Were your paddocks bare at a time when you usually would have been grazing winter cereals? Did you have to postpone sowing a permanent pasture because of a missed thistle or grass spray, putting your paddock back another year?

Whatever the struggles you faced, or indeed the successes you saw, we need to remind ourselves that farming is cyclical, and that even the best laid plans can sometimes go awry. That being said, having even the most basic of plans in place will give you a leg up over an enterprise that didn’t plan at all. Don’t know where to start?

We have a number of tools in our arsenal to help maximise

organisation of paddocks, operations and inputs.

Mapping: ensuring your farm map is accurate can help maximise spraying and sowing efficiencies, and help identify calibration issues. For example, if you know the hectare size of your paddock is 10, but you sowed enough seed for 13 ha, then you can begin to understand that there may be an inconsistency.

Job reporting: the next 10 or 20 years will see the shift in agriculture towards carbon/ GHG accounting and traceability of products and inputs used on farms. If you can begin to record your activities and report the products currently being used, in the same way that you would when drenching your weaners, you will find the transition an

easy one. Keeping records is as easy as sending your agronomist a text when you’ve sprayed a paddock – we can do the rest!

Satellite imagery: anyone who attended the recent drone course run by Tocal College would have a good understanding of some of the benefits of using imagery on the Monaro. Satellite images allow us to not only track the growth and consistency of a paddock during a single season, but also to look back at historical images to help identify soil type changes, old fence lines and paddock boundaries, and other environmental influences that may be stunting the performance of your paddock.

Soil testing: perhaps the most important of all! Soil testing helps us understand the basic limitations to crop and pasture

growth. The difference between granite and basalt, and paddocks which have been cropped or continuously stocked, can mean the difference between a productive pasture or a complete failure. With seed and inputs more expensive than they were 10 years ago, testing the soil is essential to make sure we give your seed the best chance of establishing and persisting. Interested in viewing the way your pastures grow from satellite data? Need help updating your chemical shed register? Or are you wanting to improve and ironout your farm map? Drop in to the branch or give me a call. When you’re finding time in the middle of winter to work through all those odd jobs, think about adding a planning session to the list of priority jobs to do.

Chippy Boller in 1973 at the start of his remarkable career.

Chippy at the Cooma Saleyards in 2023.

Renowned ecologist helps landholders

The farming communities in the Eastern Victoria/NSW border area have been treated to a visit by world-renowned agricultural ecologist, Dr Christine Jones.

Dr Jones was engaged for two events by Snowy River Interstate Landcare Committee (SRILC) through the nationally funded TopSoils Project that has been underway since 2018.

The farmer-focused events were held at Bendoc and Delegate.

“We are most grateful for the coordination with Bendoc Progress Association and Delegate Country Club volunteers,” Chair of SRILC, Robert Belcher said.

“Engaging high calibre presenters is a team effort and these events demonstrated the importance of communities working together.”

Dr Jones has extensive research credentials in plant, soil and livestock health. Her extension work with farmers includes interstate commitments and international engagements in NZ, USA, and Europe to name a few.

The TopSoils workshop and field events involved interactive discussion of research findings, and review of grazing challenges in South Eastern Australia.

Participants from as far away as Cobargo NSW and South

Gippsland Victoria were trained in the use of refractometers to monitor plant function and the nourishment of pasture plants.

The Bendoc and Delegate events were capped with field visits to grazing properties at Corrowong, Tombong, and the Bendoc districts.

“People don’t realise how productive multi-family mixes can be until they see them first hand,” Dr Jones stated.

For example, Dr Jones confirmed that the majority of microbes in the soil surrounding plant roots do originate from the plant seed, rather than from

the soil.

With a focus on diverse plant families, soil function can be improved, and pasture productivity increased beyond existing grass systems.

Dr Jones confirmed that “expenditure on animal health issues can be reduced [where livestock] have access to a diverse diet that includes forages with anthelmintic properties such as chicory and plantain”.

Snowy River Interstate Landcare Committee is working with a range of partners in the TopSoils project to help improve farm profitability and soil quality

across East Gippsland.

This project is supported by East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

Snowy River Interstate Landcare Committee is a community-based organisation that delivers natural resource and agricultural projects in the eastern NSW/Victorian border region.

Formed in 1989, it is one of the oldest Landcare organisations dedicated to rural projects and communities.

COOMA MONARO WEANER SALE

Dr Christine Jones reviewed pasture options at Tombong, NSW.

Local farmers discussing infiltration with Dr Christine Jones (second from right).

Wool harvesting one focus at Ag leaders event

Industry leaders from Australian Wool Innovations, Sheep Genetics Australia, the Approved Employers Association and Four Seasons Animal Nutrition gathered in Delegate earlier this month.

The Delegate Pastoral & Agricultural Society was delighted to host the ‘Evening with Ag Leaders’ on the Friday night before the Delegate Show, which attracted a good number of local producers.

Amongst the guests was AWI Director, Don Macdonald, who is chairman of the wool technical advisory group responsible for addressing shearing shortage issues.

Peta Bradley of Sheep Genetics Australia was also present, as was national product manager for Four Seasons, Sam Stephens, who is working on methane reduction in livestock.

The fourth guest was Michael Fryzer, immediate past chair of the Approved Employers Association, the industry group that represents employers to government on the implementation of the seasonal workers program.

Michael is currently part of preparing a proposal for the shearing industry to be negotiated with government to bring Islanders into wool harvesting in Australia.

As at last year’s inaugural event, the casual atmosphere of the evening allowed the industry

representatives and local farmers to talk in a frank and relaxed manner.

A key focus was all aspects of wool harvesting, with various options discussed for addressing the serious challenges surrounding shearer availability.

At the forum it was made clear that it will be 15 to 20 years until a cost efficient effective robotic system is available.

Also, still some time off is the potential for the wool shedding maize enzyme to be an efficient wool harvesting system, with the effectiveness of the enzyme at a farm level still yet to be fully proven.

The Burbidge stand up nonskill production line system needs further evolution, while the new catch and drag system reduces the physical impact on shearers, but does not ultimately solve the problem of harvesting.

“Until all of that is resolved, in the short term it means we need more shearers,” the Delegate forum’s co-ordinator, Robert Ingram said.

“We need to work with government to open as many pathways as possible to bring shearers and labourers to be training in wool harvesting as soon as possible.”

To this end the forum was informed that a proposal supported by a major shearing

contractor, the Shearing Contractors Association of Australia, AWI and an independent consultant is being finalised to take to government to bring Islanders in to start wool harvesting in September this year. A further focus of the forum was the impact of climate change policy on production systems in Australia, especially combating the EU PEFA legislation which would rank synthetic fibres as more sustainable than wool.

AWI’s response on behalf of the industry has been its television advertisement highlighting that wool is 100% natural, 100% biodegradable, and renewable.

The advert has been described by some as bold, while others suggest it needs to be backed up with stronger messages.

“To combat the synthetics industry we need to demonstrate we have contained or reduced our carbon and methane footprints, but the life cycle of the methane in the atmosphere needs to be challenged as it probably over-estimates the impact of methane,” Mr Ingram said.

“Breeding programs in conjunction with fodder pasture management needs to be improved to reduce the counter arguments from the synthetic industry lobby about our carbon and methane footprint.”

Kunuma pleased with Autumn bull sale results

The Autumn bull sale season launched at Kunuma Angus Stud on Thursday March 23.

Kunuma sold 17 out of 31 bulls at an average of $9352 and a top price of $17,000.

Stud Principal Dean Lynch said he was pleased with how the sale had gone for the first Autumn sale, that the buyers were sourcing quality bulls and that it was good to see support.

The top selling bull was Lot 11, which sold to Craig and Jill Molineaux out of Adelong who have been coming to Kunuma sales for more than 12 years. They said Lott 11 was what they were after and that they always like coming to Kunuma, their bulls, producing well with a quiet temperament that’s easy to work with.

Mitch Lynch of Kunuma Angus Stud congratulated Craig Molineaux of Adelong for purchasing the top priced bull at $17,000.

Sam Stephens of Four Seasons Animal Nutrition discussed reducing methane in livestock as part of the ‘Evening with Ag Leaders’ held in Delegate prior to the local Show.

Monaro farmers benefited from the presentation by Sam Stephens.

AirAgri helping to bring Monaro farmers home safely

A safety tracking and alert solution developed by a Victorian agtech start-up is giving Monaro farming families peace of mind, whilst protecting loved ones and their assets.

Brothers James and Paul Diamond, of Mansfield, in northeast Victoria, operate AirAgri and have launched a mobile app which works in conjunction with a pocket-sized iOT (Internet of Things) tracking device.

The tracking device uses the “most bullet proof iOT technology and network”, the Telstra Cat M1, which gives extended coverage across Australia.

“This network gives beyond the cell tower coverage. Every 10 minutes the tracking device will ping its location back to AirAgri and the system uses a set of proprietary rules to determine if that person is in trouble or not,” AirAgri co-founder James said.

“If the person doesn’t dismiss the alarm or audible cue, an alert is sent to the registered users.

“AirAgri provides a series of automated safety notifications using proprietary rules, location, emergency and medical information, along with access to inventory and safe handling working documents like a digital filing cabinet sitting on the farmer’s phone.

“It is practical access to information that doesn’t sit in the front pocket of the Polaris or on the seat of the HiLux.”

For AirAgri chief executive officer, Paul, the app gives reassurance when working alone in remote, hilly country on the family Mansfield beef and sheep property.

“This tracking device gives me the confidence I will be going home to my wife and kids. I’m a whiteboard, notepad old fashion schoolish kind of

New online hub a one-stop-shop

Red meat and livestock producers have access to a new hub of grazing land management resources on the Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) website.

The Grazing Land Management (GLM) hub has launched, bringing together a range of grazing land management information and tools into a one-stopshop.

MLA Program Manager, Adoption, Sally Leigo, said that the hub contained the tools, resources and training opportunities to help red meat producers measure available pasture against animal demand, explore improved pasture options, or identify and manage weeds for grazing businesses across Australia.

“This new hub on the MLA website is a one stop shop for producers looking to learn how to do a feed budget on their property, learn how to manage weeds and weigh up options to improve pasture production,” Ms Leigo said.

bloke – I’m the hardest sell but just knowing that it could potentially save my life if something goes wrong is huge,” Paul said.

AirAgri was one of 20 emerging Ag Tech startups to benefit from a $50,000 grant under the Victorian Government’s $1 million AgTech Grants Program.

The business was supported by the Victorian Government’s $15 million AgTech Regional Innovation Network (AgRIN) to complete the “Rocket Seeder” and the Farmers2Founders preaccelerator programs helping them refine their idea and develop their business skills.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the Victorian Government and the Department of Agriculture on the launch of AirAgri and the protection of farmers across this great state,” James said.

The AgTech Seeds Rocket Seeder allowed

the brothers to learn from industry expertise, explore business frameworks and curate ideas.

“Eighty per cent of farmers don’t use any form of technology so there is a huge opportunity for the sector to become smarter and more efficient,” James said.

“Technology to us is about reducing the flow of information and getting the right information to the farmer at the right time – AirAgri becomes the sniper weapon.”

According to James, AirAgri’s value proposition was never about helping farmers to drive yields or efficiency for the sake of record keeping.

It’s based on helping the broader family, business operator or landowner become more productive, sustainable and most importantly, safe.

Within AirAgri, 100 per cent of the data is stored and sovereign in Australia and is owned by the individual, who at any time

can delete their data.

The farmer can download their digital map and export it in a global format into a competing platform or another format for later use, or in turn, AirAgri can import data from other platforms.

“The GLM hub directs producers to available online tools, factsheets, events, training courses, and eLearning modules to enable practical decision making with the latest research recommendations.”

“The hub provides a range of new information on

grazing land management from written, to visual and in-person activities to ensure a wide range of ways to learn, so there is something for everyone within this online package of resources.

“As well as online information and tools, the hub also helps producers understand how they can try out training and try out the new practices at home through one of MLA’s longerterm programs with other producers.

“It puts producers in the driver’s seat to access the information they need, in the way they want to access it.” Ms Leigo said that autumn was a perfect time to focus on grazing land management in both Northern and Southern Australia. For northern producers nearing the end of the wet season it is a great time to be getting out and preparing a feed budget for the coming dry season and for southern producers to be preparing paddocks for the winter and the subsequent summer.

“Through the hub, producers can learn at their own pace, while also learning more about in-person events such as MeatUp, BeefUp forums, GLM EDGE and BredWell FedWell workshops.

James and Paul Diamond, AirAgri founders.

Natural capital accounting comes to the Monaro

Upper Snowy Landcare Network

Ever wondered what is meant by “natural capital”? Did you know that it’s a growing part of the “environmental markets” that are set to take off across Australia? Can it be measured? What is its value?

“A biodiversity market could unlock AU$137 billion in financial flows to advance Australian biodiversity outcomes by 2050.” PwC Australia. The value of an Australian biodiversity market.

Landholders on the Monaro are especially well-placed to take advantage of the burgeoning environmental markets. To help primary producers get a head start in accessing these markets, Landcare Farming and Accounting for Nature® Ltd have teamed up with Upper Snowy Landcare Network to run a Natural Capital Accounting Field Day at “Bobundara” on May 15, 2023.

Local graziers and farmers are invited to attend this free event where they will have the opportunity to learn about environmental markets and how they might apply to their properties.

The day will include practical field exercises including measuring the environmental condition of native vegetation, conducting wildlife surveys and collecting soil data.

This will give landholders a feel for what ‘natural capital’ they have on their property, what is involved in preparing an environmental baseline report, and what opportunities they may have for generating income from their natural assets.

The group providing the content of the Field DayAccounting for Nature® Ltd - has made great strides towards providing a standardised and accredited method for environmental accounting to underpin all of Australia’s environmental markets.

To book, get your free ticket from Eventbrite (search

Hazeldean prepare strong offering

Hazeldean is preparing for its Angus bull sale in early May with another quality offering expected.

Eighty five bulls will go under the hammer on May 4 at Hazeldean’s Cooma property.

The Litchfield family of Hazeldean expect a strong sale after a favourable season.

“The Monaro has had a spectacular run of seasons as have many parts of Australia,” Jim Litchfield said.

“Our pasture-based system has responded well. We now have more country sown to high performance species so we are able to run more animals and improve growth rates.”

The Litchfields have added a farm at Adelong to their portfolio. The family said this will increase their carrying capacity to protect against the dry times.

“Everyone at Hazeldean are loyal custodians of the land and enjoy what it can give when stocked moderately and looked after respectfully,” Mr Litchfield said.

cattle market back towards normal historical levels, it’s a firm reminder of how fantastic the Australian cattle market has been for the last few years.

“It has certainly been a highlight in the history of Hazeldean’s operation and we look forward to the next time 300kg Angus steers are making $7.50,” Mr Litchfield said.

“As we all know the cattle market is never a straight-line graph however the prospects for our industry have never looked brighter.

“Throughout changes in market trends, it is important to focus on what makes profit in a beef breeding business.

“The everlasting commercial focus of Hazeldean’s cattle breeding philosophy has not changed. Easy doing cattle with plenty of calving ease, carcase merit, explosive growth, super docility, and of course dependable structure is what our clients can expect from the 2021 drop of Hazeldean bull calves.

for “Cooma Natural Accounting Field Day”) or call Lauren Van Dyke on 0411 402 978.

To find out more about the content of the field day, email Landcare Farming Project Manager Ang Hammond at ang.hammond@landcareaustralia. com.au.

“As part of our pasture improvement program, we are fencing off native vegetation belts and helping mother nature along with tree and shrub planting in areas where seed banks are depleted.

“Creating a sustainable future for the next generation should be in mind for all famers in Australia and around the world.”

Mr Litchfield said with a turn in the

“Our breeding program is centred around producing cattle that are easy to manage and provide exceptional performance and profitability for our clients.

“We understand the importance of cattle that are easy to work with, grow quickly and produce superior beef – temperament is a key aspect of this and our program at Hazeldean.”

Much of the grasslands and woodlands of the Monaro are critically endangered and therefore valuable on the biodiversity market.

Behind the scenes at the 2023 Royal Canberra Show, champion animals treated to the finest

The Royal Canberra Show is a flagship event for show animals and their owners each year. From the magnificent horses to the adorable small animals, this show has something for everyone.

What people might not be aware of is the work that goes into keeping these animals comfortable and safe during their stay at the show.

This year, approximately 1200 horses, 400 cattle, 100 alpacas and 150 small animals needed accommodation for the Royal Canberra Show.

Providing high-quality bedding for these animals is important to ensure they are comfortable and rested throughout the show. Given the success of the 2022 Royal Canberra Show, the Royal National Capital Agricultural Society (RNCAS) contracted PETstock Country Brindabella to manage and supply the animal bedding again in 2023.

For Harvey Doberer, owner of PETstock Country Brindabella, the go-to product for animal bedding is wood shavings from Straw Services Australia.

These shavings are of the highest quality and softness, ensuring that the champion animals are comfortable while at the show. The petting zoo needed particular attention to make sure the animals and visitors were comfortable and

clean, which meant replacing the bedding several times over the three-day event.

Stephanie Baker, Assistant Manager at PETstock Country Brindabella, said that many of the exhibitors commented on the quality and softness of the bedding supplied.

Even horses that are typically sensitive to shavings were able to benefit from the premium product used at the Canberra Show without having any adverse reactions.

“The Straw Services team have helped us to prove ourselves as a reliable supplier that the RNCAS know they can count on, and in doing so they are supporting us in expanding our business too. We always know stock is there when we need it. No job is too big or too small,” Ms Baker said.

PETstock Country Brindabella also supplies Straw Services wood shavings to agistment services, horse trainers and equine vets in and around the Canberra region.

The smaller squares are handy for anyone that would prefer to add as they go or for those that do not require a large round, this includes household pets and small animal owners, while the round bales are convenient for breeders, trainers and farms with multiple stables and yards.

PETstock Country Brindabella plans to continue to reduce their

carbon/environmental footprint at the Royal Canberra Show and aspire to do so in other areas in store. The used shavings are typically composted, recycled and/or used as organic fertiliser at

local rural properties.

Organisers and owners work hard behind the scenes to ensure the comfort and safety of the animals competing at the Royal Canberra Show. Thanks to

suppliers like PETstock Country Brindabella and Straw Services Australia, these animals can put their best foot forward, literally, and have a positive show experience.

We cater to all types of animal industries including:

• Small animal breeders, such as rabbits and cavies

• Stable bedding for the family pony or champion thoroughbred

• Dairy calves

• All forms of barn-raised poultry

Our product is of the highest quality and meets all HACCP standards for use in the poultry and animal industry. Our product is clean and free of contaminates such as CCA, glues and resins.

For enquiries or quotes contact

Anthony: 0428 484 153 | Tim: 0401 720 418

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