NEGMF January 2014

Page 1

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Beef Week

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International Dairy Week

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Fire Awareness

Family is dairy’s future Union boss’s ignorant comments offend dairy industry president

LEADING THE WAY: Violet Town Merino sheep breeder Simon Riddle has been chosen to participate in the Australian Wool Innovation’s and Australian Association of Stud Merino Breeders’ 2014 Breeding Leadership course. Simon’s aim is to make farming sustainable so his children, Matilda, 4 and Charlie, 7 are able to take over the family farm in the future. See page 13 for full story

S O L A R

Allister Neely or Steve Cole

BY JODIE FLEMING

jfleming@ nenews.com.au

that’s why ADF continues to advocate for Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) that provide meaningful commercial opportunities with key market partners, including China, Japan and Korea,” Mr Campbell said. “This is the real priority for our industry, not who owns our farms or how big they are, as we seek to capitalise on the opportunities that the rise of Asia presents us.” The recent free trade deal that the Federal Government has made with Korea is a step forward on the path towards further trade liberalisation in Asia according to the ADF. “Korea is a significant dairy market for Australia and currently ranks tenth by value with $88 million worth of exports in 2012/2013,” Mr Campbell said. “The commercial reality of this is that Australian dairy liberalisation will be five to seven years behind key trade rivals, the US and EU. Continued page 26

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AUSTRALIAN Dairy Farmers (ADF) has accused Australian Workers Union national secretary Paul Howes of being out of touch with modern day farming after comments he made stating that the era of “ma and pa farming” in Australia needs to end if the nation is to position itself as the food bowl of Asia. ADF president Noel Campbell described Mr Howes’ comments as a simplistic thought bubble that contributes little to the dairy industry or agriculture in general. “Let’s be clear, we’re not talking the Beverley Hillbillies – the family-owned enterprises comprise over 90 per cent of farm ownership in an industry that directly employs 43,000 Australians and generates $13 billion in exports every year,” Mr Campbell said. “The family-owned farm remains the backbone of our industry and nothing that Mr Howes thinks or says will fundamentally alter that fact,” he said. Mr Campbell said Mr Howes’ use of the description “ma and pa farming” demonstrated how out of touch he is with modern day farming. “We need action, not glib one-liners, to help unlock Asia’s trade potential and

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NEWS

Page 2, North East Farmer

January 2014

Water laws based on archaic methods VICTORIA in the early years of federation had a Prime Minister named Alfred Deakin. This man was a minister

in the Victorian Government and prior to federation his skill as a lawyer is still with us today as it is his water law that forms the basis

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of water law in Australia, United States and United Kingdom. He declared the states would administer and man-

age water that may fall on your land, but if it moves across land then it is to be managed by the respective state.

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In the beginning of the twentieth century, with limited development of pumping systems and horse drawn scoops for channel construction, these laws served Australia well. When technology arrived for dam and tunnel construction (Snowy Mountain Scheme) machines then tested the balance and availability of the resource, both private and state owned. On the other side we see farmers in the 1920s, only one hundred years ago, relying on rainfall history locally and a degree of scepticism by weather forecasters and the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). Today we have satellites and computer analysis of weather patterns for 120 years. The Norway weather system analysis is worthy of a look. Farmers are basing their programs on radar and BOM information to spray insecticide, fungicide and urea applications on weather prediction, a reliable and worthy practice. This brings me to 2013, and for today I will only talk ofVictorian water rules.

By BRUCE DIFFEY Waterwheel Traders In the 1970’s and up to 1989 when the new Victorian water act was passed a farmer had only to call State Rivers and Water Supply (now Goulburn Murray Water) to apply to build a dam. There were several steps prior to construction of a dam that were considered - rainfall, size of catchment and history of runoff. The farmer was then given an irrigation licence for the area that the dam would support. Importantly the licence was slightly less than 50 per cent of the dam capacity. The guidelines for irrigation stated that two years of supply should be available. Today we have the Murray Darling BasinAuthority (MDBA) act to administer water. We have seen the buyback and the application of spill as well as carry over the further withdrawal of water to ďŹ ll the channel in

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Advertising:

Bill Michalowski Phone (03) 5723 0134 Fax (03) 5722 9778 bmichalowski@nenews.com.au

Editorial:

Jodie Fleming Phone (03) 5723 0129 Fax (03) 5722 9778 jfleming@nenews.com.au

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NOTE: All advertising and editorial content in this issue is the copyright of North East Newspapers Pty. Ltd., and cannot be used without the company’s permission. The group editor, Jeff Zeuschner, accepts responsibility for election comment. Printed and published by Brian Hartley Higgins for North East Newspapers Pty. Ltd. (ACN 006 238 277) at the registered office, 37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta, Victoria 3677. Š 2003 PP34662600022 The North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer takes all care in compiling specifications, prices and details but cannot accept responsibility for any errors. All prices are correct at time of printing and are subject to change without notice. No material, artwork or photos may be reproduced without the written permission of the publishers. Letters to the editor may be shortened because of space considerations. Every effort is made to preserve the context of letters.

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the event of drought. The question should be asked, ‘How much protection should you give to assure delivery?’ If you are using reserve to ďŹ ll channels and allowing 460 gigalitres for river delivery loss to deliver water to South Australia, then I suggest that time is running out and irrigation water may a very short season. I have personally discussed with Goulburn Murray Water (GMW) the rules and the worst case scenario reserves that are applied. They admit that the MBDA losses programed from the drought years are not showing the losses used by the river delivery system. What are politicians trying to create - an iron clad delivery system that is penalising irrigators when the storages are full? The number of items to be considered prior to announcing low security water for the Goulburn or the Murray catchments is ridiculous, to the point that the majority of voters who do not understand entitlement and allocation have, by lobbying federal members effectively, hobbled a good delivery system to the detriment of farm returns and restriction of production. Time has come to value land on the reliability of water and move dairy into higher rainfall country. Horticulture would be wise to be placed on rivers and direct pumping. The delivery share of water in the Goulburn is pushing the limit to be able to sustain proďŹ table farming. Technology advances make planning decisions for GMW now and the conservative rules should be reviewed. The season has been difďŹ cult with relative high costs of temporary water and frost damage has been signiďŹ cant. I wish all well for a happy New Year and reect on days when water law was predictable on what was in storage.

NEWS

January 2014

Farm insurance and you

Costly chemical rules dumped THE Federal Government has released draft amendments to block the costly mandatory re-registration process for agricultural and veterinary chemicals. Under legislation implemented by the former Labor government, chemical companies would have been forced

to re-register their products with Australia’s chemical regulator every seven to 15 years. Both the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) and NSW Farmers have welcomed the draft amendments with VFF president Peter Tuohey saying that if Labor’s legislation was allowed

No-till tax rebate under threat A TAX offset that was designed to encourage farmers to buy new equipment is about to catch farmers off guard as the Federal Government threatens to cut off the rebate 12 months early. The conservation tillage equipment tax offset was initially available for three ďŹ nancial years, giving producers three growing seasons to upgrade their machinery with what was effectively a

15 per cent discount. The tax offset was designed to encourage farmers to buy new no-till equipment that sowed seed with less soil disturbance and with fewer passes around the paddock. The tax break was due to expire on July 1, 2015, but according to a consultation paper released recently, the Federal Government plans to end the rebate on July 1 this year as part of its plans to repeal the carbon tax.

to stand, the industry risked chemical companies not “bothering� to spend the money needed to re-register specialist chemicals or those supplied to niche markets. “It means we go back to a far more sensible process whereby a chemical’s registration is only reviewed in

response to peer-reviewed research that identiďŹ es health or environmental concerns,â€? Mr Tuohey said. “Labor’s legislation threatened to wipe hundreds of valuable chemicals off the shelf and leave Australian agriculture at a huge competitive disadvantage to other countries,â€? he said.

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A DAMAGE-causing incident on farm has the potential to prevent you and your employees from working, but you are able to insure against such unfortunate circumstances. Business interruption insurance can help you pay staff, address outstanding debts and cover the increased costs of working while repairs take place. John Houghton of Elders Insurance Wangaratta said that while business property insurance will cover you for the loos and replacement of damaged assets, business interruption insurance is designed to cover you for loss of profit while your farm or company is unable to operate at full capacity. “The period of time your business is out of action for will depend, of course, on the severity of the damage,� Mr Houghton said. “It may only be a few days, but it could potentially be months. “This is where business interruption insurance will come in handy. “This type of insurance can also help you deal with the impact a damage-causing event will have on supplier and customer relationships, such as the breaking of contracts or the loss of customers to your competitors,� he said. Mr Houghton said that Elders business interruption insurance contains a few additional features. For example, it can help you cover the costs of utilities such as electricity, gas and water services. “Elders Insurance will also cover your business for the re-writing of records, and may even be able to cover for fines and penalties that your business may incur as a result of being unable to complete orders or provide services,� he said. For more information contact John Houghton at Elders Insurance Wangaratta on (03) 57221 1400.

North East Farmer, Page 3

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Page 4, North East Farmer

January 2014

Local produce highlighted in latest food guide Cert IV in Agriculture – Diploma of Agriculture starting in March 2014 For further details on the course please contact Leigh Kildey on 0457 543 622 Key features of the training: 1. A strong practical focus linked to real farm outcomes 2. Increases employability skills of students 3. Flexible delivery model 4. Use of industry specialists recognised as experts in the field of Agriculture 5. Minimal disruption to work commitments 6. Cost effective training 7. Provides strong articulation pathways into University 8. Quality Training resources 9. Strong focus on sustainable farming 10. Blended delivery model Learning and assessment activities relating to the dual qualification training are based around real agriculture practices and as such, will allow students to apply these skills back into the workplace. For further information about this innovative dual qualification opportunity you are invited to call Leigh Kildey 0457 543 622 or contact him by email: lkildey@gotafe.vic.edu.au. t/12d12234/02-14

EAT, drink, laugh, love as though today is the first and last day of the rest of your life. Such is the philosophy of Jonette George, the mainstay behind the boutique family business, Smudge Publishing who publishes the increasingly popular Produce to Platter series of books. Having recently released Victoria’s High Country version of the food and wine lovers’guide, Smudge Publishing’s first book focused on the Mornington Peninsula and was so successful that it led to the birth of a series of books, celebrating local regions throughout Australia. The books celebrate local produce – how to grow it, produce it, source it and then how the local chefs are using it in signature recipes that can be made at home. The locations covered in this latest release include Beechworth and Glenrowan, Upper Goulburn, Alpine Valley, King Valley and the Rutherglen region. The beautifully photographed, glossy book includes recipes from the area’s favorite local chefs from Brown Brothers, Flowerdale Estate, Gigi’s of Beechworth, Red Stag Restaurant, Pickled Sisters Café, King River Café, Hook & Spoon and many more. The book includes a forward written by Rohan Anderson, author of Whole Larder Love who gives his interesting philosophy about supporting local produce, your local region and supporting a sustainable food chain.

PERFECT PRODUCE: Discover new taste sensations that have been foraged from wineries, restaurants, farm gates and more in this armchair journey through Victoria’s High Country.

It includes a history of each featured area including photos and information on Banjo Paterson and Ned Kelly. The book is set out in different sections, starting with wine and moving into local produce which includes a focus on each producer and their produce including beef, fish, lamb, pork, poultry, bread and pasta, dairy, fruit and vegetables, hone, nuts, olives, oils and seeds and provedores. Twenty-two of the featured businesses have provided mouthwatering recipes for readers to try at home. Ms George herself writes the in-

troduction highlighting the region’s growers that are raising cattle and fat lambs and the strength of Brown Brothers and its survival through the phylloxera epidemic of the 1800s. “Today, the High Country folk are a tough lot – having endured rugged terrain, drought, fires and snow,” she writes. “Yet they keep the romance alive with the same dreams of those early pioneers, and have built farms, vineyards, produce stores, cafes, restaurants and accommodation, so that we, too, can enjoy a taste of the high life.” For more information visit www. smudgepub.com.au.

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INSIDE THE FENCE

Page 6, North East Farmer

0DUNHWLQJ JUDLQV EULQJV LQ WKH 1HZ <HDU MURRAY GILBY, with wife Denise and son Colin, farm a 700 hectare cropping property at Kotupna, 30 kilometres east of Echuca. The farming enterprise includes cropping canola, barley and wheat, along with an agricultural contracting business, supplying customers with all their cropping needs. sides of the Wakiti lagoon and will service about 30 homes and farms. The main pipes are being laid at a very fast rate and by midDecember the contractors, Rivpoly, will have completed the north side. There is still work to be

completed in connecting road underbores, installing metres and flow valves to each of the end users and finalisation of the pump installation on the Goulburn River, but it is exciting to see that there is now an end to this project in sight. The Kotupna community held their Christmas get together and it was great to welcome some new faces to the night. We took our twin grandsons and they were very excited to meet Santa and also to be able to eat whatever they wanted from the laden tables. Cheezels and twisties were the flavor of the night until the fruit and sweets arrived. A very enjoyable evening for all who attended. We hope that all have enjoyed family time during the festive season and that 2014 brings everything you would wish for yourselves. Happy New Year.

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WITH the early end to harvest, we are now looking at marketing the grain we have stored. Due to the accident with the trailer at the end of the canola harvest, we stored most of the wheat and barley in grain bags. With no truck and trailer to run, we decided to hire just one man and I went onto a header or ran the chaser bin and this gave us the ability to get through the crops quickly. We now have the trailer back following repairs and axle replacement, so we are now shifting our grain into the feed industry along with freighting other products – mostly to dairy farmers - in between. After several years of waiting, negotiating, waiting and more negotiating, the stock and domestic pipeline through the Kotupna area is under way. The pipeline mostly follows both

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Wool market rises, but VWLOO Ă€ XFWXDWLQJ DECEMBER was another strange month weatherwise. Up to the 16th of the month we had one fall of rain when 48 millimetres (mm) was recorded, otherwise we had some cold days and some very hot, but with cool nights. The rainfall pattern through the spring was quite unusual. Long periods without rain, then when it did come, isolated storms provided some heavy rain, but it was not general. Some people got 10 to 15mm and others 50 to 60mm. The grass dried off very quickly and ďŹ re restrictions came on in the North East on December 2, with very little notice. One would wonder if the introduction was accelerated because of the conditions at the end of November. People need to be given information early so they can do ďŹ re prevention work. This particularly applies to absentee owners, and there are a lot of them. Inside the fence lambs were drenched and weaned and some rams to be shorn were gathered together. The wool market still uctuates, but has risen a bit lately. That can’t be said for some sheep sales. The report for a recent sheep sale at Yelta in the second week in December said “Wether lambs and ewe lambs sold very well, wether lambs made $ 51 to $70 a head, but young ewe prices slipped, making $54 to $82 - a drop of $62 on last month’s sale.â€? Farming is a pretty tough business when this sort of variation exists. It’s quite difďŹ cult to prepare budgets with any sort of conďŹ dence. On December 3 a wild dog forum was

BRIAN FRASER lives on the 2500ha family farm in Tallangatta Valley, managed by his son Mac and other family members, growing wool, fat lambs, beef cattle and crops.

held at Omeo and the minister launched the State Government Action Plan for Managing Wild Dogs in Victoria (notice not control). Management plans have been prepared since the year dot and frequently from then, but they never seem to work - nothing happens. A similar forum not long ago was held in Tallangatta. All sorts of statements were made but nothing of any consequence came out of them. It would help if some of those in the planning department were to go out with the dogmen to see what actually goes on at the coal face, sadly now it is a case of once again “the tail wagging the dog�. Unfortunately with wild dog control, theory does not have much of a place as it is all practical application and a dogman has to have special skills outside the norm. They are dealing with nature and a very intelligent and smart animal - it’s not the stuff you read about in books. An unreasonable union and occupational health and safety is also a recipe for failure. We are now into 2014, have won the Ashes and let us hope that this year is the start of something new and the governments gets on with decisions that are good for the country and its future, instead of being bogged down with trivialities.

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INSIDE THE FENCE

January 2014

North East Farmer, Page 7

Devil is in the detail on dairy bid NEIL PANKHURST, together with his wife, Tamar, farm 200 hectares at Tongala milking a herd of predominantly jersey cows. Neil is an active member of the community and is a director of Goulburn-Murray Water, Tongala’s Community Bank and a councillor on the shire of Campaspe.

enough to extend irrigation intervals by a couple of days. It has been quite warm since and the forecast ahead is for very warm weather. Given the relatively mild summer we have had so far, it was only a matter of time before the heat hit. I have attended a couple of meetings hosted by Murray Goulburn since I last wrote. The first was the AGM and the second discussed the proposed capital raising. The AGM was well attended and given the current situation with Warrnambool Cheese & Butter (WCB) interest was high. It was reinforced by both the chairman and managing director that the two issues are quite separate. The board has been reviewing options and

methods for raising additional capital to allow for investment in plant and equipment to make manufacturing facilities more competitive for a number of months. The companies’ banks have given assurances that they are happy to fund the purchase of WCB independent of what happens with the capital raising. Based on discussions following the information sessions with suppliers I think there is more comfort with the board’s proposed direction, however, the devil will be in the detail, which we hope to receive soon. The proposal certainly retains control of the company with those suppliers who continue to supply milk and I think it will provide greater transparency of the payment system. It’s almost two years since Heinz closed its

tomato processing facility in Girgarre and it is interesting to see how the different parties have progressed since. The GV Food Co-Op that grew from many of the employees affected by the closure has announced a potential third product to its range following the success of its pasta sauce and pear cider. While the group originally had a vision for

manufacturing in its own right it has formed great partnerships with others to better utilise their capacity. The Girgarre community who received some land and water from the departing manufacturer have just launched their vision for botanic gardens on the land. Based on past experience, when this little community decides to do

something it happens, so I look forward to this grand scheme coming to fruition in the years ahead. The third segment of this story is the tomato industry that was facing such an uncertain future at the time. I had the pleasure of sitting down to lunch at a recent function with the chief executive officer of Kagome Australia, John Brady.

The company’s tomato processing facilities are in Echuca. His enthusiasm for the future is infectious and his company has a range of exciting projects being developed in the area. I hope everyone has had an opportunity to have an enjoyable and relaxing time over the Christmas period and that the new year brings all that you may wish for.

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OVER the past month farm life has focused on joining, carting hay and irrigating. Joining has progressed well and I should have final figures on submission rates by the time I write my next article. We will also be close to drying off the autumn calving portion of the herd. We have used predominantly Jersey semen on the cows with some Aussie red as a third cross over the Jersey Friesian cross cows. John has been busy carting hay and has the majority of it done. Brad who put the crops in with us on shares still has his portion to cart home. The young heifers seem to have enjoyed grazing the paddocks once the hay had been carted. They are growing well and have had bulls pastured with them. I decided to hold 20 over to join in the autumn. John and Lyn raised 65 heifers last year so we will have plenty of young stock coming through to put pressure on the herd. We received 28 millimetres of rain on the pastures, which was nice, however, it was only really

NEWS

Page 8, North East Farmer

January 2014

T/12D12290/02-14

Diploma in General Studies: your step in the right direction THE Diploma in General Studies is a recently launched University of Melbourne course that can lead to a university degree, a better job or a way to ease back into the workforce. Best of all, it’s offered locally. The course provides students with the opportunity to study science, commerce, environments or agriculture and is designed as a structured stepping stone to a meaningful outcome – whether for employment, career progression, or further study in a University of Melbourne degree (or TAFE program). Shaun Martin from Yea had an employer that suggested he undertake some study as a positive move in his career and recommended the Diploma in General Studies. He works for Murrindindi Fertilizers in Merton and hadn’t undertaken any study since he completed his VCE in 2007. He is now working and studying part-time on a Diploma in General Studies scholarship. “Having a qualification in

agriculture is more important than other industries, because so many working in the industry are unqualified,” Shaun said. “A qualification gives you a leg-up. “Clients see you as having more credibility,” he said. The course has enhanced Shaun’s career prospects in agribusiness. When he completes his Diploma in General Studies, he will gain automatic entry into a Bachelor of Agriculture, with subject credits awarded for most of his first year. He says the best part is having a supportive environment at work and a hugely supportive environment with his studies. “My lecturer in chemistry is brilliant,” Shaun said. “In year 8 my teacher told me never to do science in VCE because I was no good at it. “I haven’t done any science since year 8 because of that, and yet now I have just passed my first semester of chemistry at the University of Melbourne. “I feel a real sense of

DIPLOMA AT DOOKIE: Shaun Martin said a qualification gives you a ‘leg up’ in your chosen industry. achievement within myself,” he said. Shaun’s advice to anyone considering the course is to “just do it”. “It’s such a supportive environment and fantastic to tie in with your work,” he added. “It gives you a leg-up.”

The Dookie campus has undergone many exciting changes in recent years, and this course further enlivens the campus. Research into best agricultural practices are of paramount importance at the campus and in October 2013 the University began

construction of a new $2.5 million state-of-the-art Robotic Dairy, which will be fully operational in March 2014. For more information about the Diploma in General Studies call 13 MELB (13 6352) or visit www. dookie.unimelb.edu.au/ generalstudies.

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VFF 2014 PREDICTIONS

Page 10, North East Farmer

January 2014

Dairy profits on the rise THE upcoming year looks to be a period of recovery for many in the Victorian dairy industry. A solid spring has given much needed relief from the seasonally challenging first half of last year. The extended grazing

period from the late rains will assist in keeping feeding costs lower this year. While hay and silage harvest hasn’t been at its highest because of the cold and wet spring, the overall improved conditions have provided a

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lower cost of production over the spring and early summer period. Fodder stores have increased significantly, improving availability and easing feed prices. With this advantage, farm profits should be on the rise this year. A high opening price of $5.00/kgMS has been a much needed improvement from the 2012 average opening price of $4.30kg/MS. This price implies a potential full-year average price about $5.50/kgMS, up from $4.90/kgMS in 2012/2013. Regular price rise announcements over recent months have increased farmers’ confidence that the recovery from last

20 011 1 BOBC C AT T 324 1.5 TONNE EX XCAVA ATO OR & TRA AILER R

By KERRY CALLOW United Dairyfarmers of Victoria president year’s challenges continues. The Australian dollar has dropped, which is good for Australian dairy on the international market and price returns. The high Australian dollar was a significant reason for last year’s lower

than average prices. Demand for dairy products on the international market has remained at a steady increase, with the focus of growth continuing in China, South-East Asia and parts of the Middle East. The recently signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Korea is set to boost Victorian dairy exports and eventually put up to $30 million in tariff payments back into farmers’ pockets. The three player bidding war for ownership of the Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory confirms a confidence in the future of the Australian dairy industry as a key player on the international market.

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National debates will continue for livestock sector THE year 2014 should be an interesting one on many fronts. This will vary from career development opportunities on offer, to some big national debates in the livestock industry which will continue. The national discussions that will continue to develop include the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) for sheep and goats, and also potential changes in animal welfare legislation relating to sheep and cattle production. Both of these issues have been hot topics this year, and are set to be discussed further by SCoPI (council comprised of the state agricultural ministers) in 2014. Last year, the VFF Livestock Group engaged with members and industry on these very issues. We are dedicated to doing this again in 2014 to ensure we understand producer concerns and sentiments. We also have more policy and information dinners in the pipeline for the New Year, and if they’re anything like our Hamilton event last year, they should be a great night out. It also provides you with the perfect opportunity to ask questions, and tell the VFF about what’s important in your region. The VFF Livestock project officers will also continue to assist livestock producers right across the state by running animal health and biosecurity workshops and forums.

By IAN FELDTMANN, VFF Livestock Group president If you have any specific animal health questions or would like a workshop run in your area, please contact us in the office and we will try to help you out. In the meantime, have a look at the online animal health resources on the VFF website. There is a lot of great information there on more than 30 common animal health topics. Finally, the VFF Livestock Group is also excited to announce that we will be again offering a fully paid three month internship for a young person from the Victorian beef industry to work on a NAPCO property in either Queensland or Northern Territory to further their career. We are also excited that Rabobank has decided to continue their sponsorship of this initiative. If you are interested in this opportunity, please feel free to contact the VFF, and keep an eye out for further details to come in 2014. We hope all readers had a very safe Christmas and prosperous New Year.

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VFF 2014 PREDICTIONS

Page 12, North East Farmer

January 2014

Grains the most valuable export commodity

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THE 2013/2014 harvest season is moving along across the state, with receival points in the north reporting the earliest finish in years, but with many farmers still working in southern parts of the state. The growing year started strongly with ideal weather conditions, but a lot of growers were hit with frost right before we started preparing harvest machinery, which unfortunately led to a lower yield than we would have liked in the North Central and Northern Mallee regions. In the first week or so of December, cold weather certainly slowed the process in the Wimmera, but yields have still been fairly strong. Let’s hope for a smooth finish to the season. Next season will be interesting to watch; that colder weather should mean less of a reliance on sub-soil moisture than in previous seasons. A strong wheat harvest in Canada may also affect demand. What was pleasing to see for us grain growers was that we took the lead as the most valuable commodity export for Australia from 2012-2013.

By BRETT HOSKING, VFF Grains Group president It’s satisfying to know our growers continue to be a valuable contributor to this effort. Off-farm, the VFF Grains Group has had an extremely busy year, and 2014 is shaping up to be bigger and better. We still need massive improvement and investment in regional rail and infrastructure; however, this is only one piece of the competition jigsaw puzzle. In 2013, many growers were affected by grain trade insolvencies, which led to a loss of money and faith in the industry. Our annual Roadshow in September answered plenty of questions for concerned growers, and we heard the need for further insurance and risk

management tools. We announced recently Trade Credit Risk Insurance is now available for VFF members through OAMPS Insurance Brokers. This is one option growers can consider if they want insurance against payment default or insolvency when selling their grain. We will continue to work with growers this year to look at other alternatives for increasing security in the industry. On a social front, we are keen to engage more with younger growers and have been working with the Young Agribusiness Professionals (YAPs) group to get some joint social events on the calendar, so stay tuned. Planning is under way for our annual Grains Conference in March and I encourage everyone to come along to hear from some great guest speakers, and to have a say on the future of your industry. It’s a great opportunity to catch up with friends, neighbors and other grain producers from around the state too. I look forward to another big year for the grains industry in 2014.

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NEWS

January 2014

North East Farmer, Page 13

Violet Town sheep breeder chosen for leadership program IT takes a certain type of bloke to uproot his life and take on his father-in-law’s successful merino stud with his wife and their two children. Simon Riddle is the laid back, easy going and hardworking guy who was more than happy to help run Toland Merino stud in Violet Town and started farming it with his wife Anna and father-in-law Phil Toland almost two years ago and he hasn’t looked back. The 35 year old from South Australia was pursuing another career, but it wasn’t doing what was really “in his blood�. Simon’s father’s family are all farmers on the west coast of Australia and it is something that Simon always wanted to pursue. “I’d done a bit of poking around with sheep, but I wasn’t really a full-time farmer until six or seven years ago,� Simon said. “I used to do some contract mustering for Landmark. “Anna and I were managing about a half a million acres the other side of South Australia which had about 12,500 merinos. “Anna has a Bachelor of Ag Science, so she is a farmer in her own right and it’s in her blood too.

BY JODIE FLEMING

jfleming@ nenews.com.au

“I really wanted to go to the Territory next, but Anna rang home and her Dad wanted her to come home and start learning the ropes, so here we are,� he said. Toland Merino covers 2000 farming acres with 4500 sheep. Two thousand of those are breeding ewes and the rest are young sheep and lambs. Simon has recently been chosen as a participant in the 2014 Breeding Leadership course which is a national initiative of the Australian Wool Innovation and the Australian Association of Stud Merino Breeders. The five day professional development course explores themes of marketing, leading and managing people, corporate governance, time management and strategic planning and includes some time on farm. The 22 participants that have been chosen from all over Australia will travel to Clare in South Australia to attend the program. Two years ago Simon

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE: Simon Riddle is hoping to pick up different ideas from the Breeding Leadership course and work them back into his family’s Merino stud.

applied for the program but was unsuccessful, however, he threw his hat in the ring again, and was in fact nominated by the Victorian Stud Merino Sheep Breeders Association and this time he was successful in obtaining a place. Two people are nominated from each state with applicants having to meet speciďŹ c requirements and answer questions relating to their experience in the industry, their role and where they think the industry is headed. Simon hopes the program will help him get to know more about himself

Encouraging farm employee engagement REGIONAL ACCOUNTANTS: RSM Bird Cameron Albury senior accountant Maxine Vale can provide valuable insight into keeping employees happy.

‡ 3ULGH LQ ZRUNLQJ IRU WKH business “Employee engagement should be a stronger focus in business,� Ms Vale said. “It should not be a monthly survey; instead it should be a goal that managers and owners work towards every day.� There are five key areas that managers and owners can focus on daily to encourage employee engagement: ‡ WUHDW DOO HPSOR\HHV ZLWK UHVSHFW ‡ JLYH FUHGLW ZKHQ LW LV GXH ‡ FRPPXQLFDWH FOHDUO\ consistently and often ‡ RIIHU EHQHILWV ‡ SURYLGH DQ RSWLPDO ZRUNSODFH environment for them to thrive. “Employees should feel comfortable to express their ideas regardless of their position or role within the organisation,� Ms Vale said. For more information contact Maxine Vale on (02) 6041 3700.

it comes to talking to groups I’m not real ash, so I’m hoping that from this course I can work out ways about doing that sort of thing. “Anna and I did a young farmers’ forum a couple of years ago which was really good, but there wasn’t a lot of follow up with it. “Hopefully this will help work out how we can keep that follow up going,â€? he said. One of Simon’s other aims is to try and keep younger people in the industry. “To keep younger people interested you need to

keep it going forward and make it a bit easier, which technology is doing and it’s a matter of embracing that technology,� he said. “If you want to get young people in you need to have the sort of technology that they can play with. “The days of motorbikes and tractors being the thing are probably starting to go out of fashion a bit.� Simon said he loves the farming lifestyle particularly the time he gets to spend being able to work with his wife and their two children, Charlie, 7 and Matilda, 4.

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EMPLOYEE engagement is more vital than ever before to a farm business’ success and competitive advantage. According to RSM Bird Cameron Albury senior accountant Maxine Vale, employees who are engaged significantly outperform those who are not engaged and are less likely to make mistakes. “Employees are no longer spending their careers working at one company or place until their retirement,� Ms Vale said. “In today’s business environment employees often have many jobs in their working life. “Employees also have greater flexibility on where, when and how they are working, so businesses need to keep their workers motivated and engaged. “It is also more cost efficient for businesses to retain valuable employees, rather than having to pay the prices associated with recruiting new workers,� she said. There are many factors that can impact an employee’s engagement, however, there are three key drivers including: ‡ 5HODWLRQVKLS ZLWK WKH immediate supervisor ‡ %HOLHI LQ VHQLRU OHDGHUVKLS

and how he operates, as well as learn from other participants the different facets of the industry. “We see a lot of the stud side of things obviously and I have had a bit of experience with commercial farming, so it will be great to just pick up different ideas and how we can work it back into this farm to make life easier,� Simon said. “It will also be good to get a bit of a network happening as well. “I’m not a very good talker. “I just prefer to go out and do things, so when

“It’s long hours, but I love it. “The kids can come out with me on weekends and they love moving sheep and they get to work with the both of us,� he said. “I mean you have your days where everything seems to go wrong and you feel like going back to bed and rolling out the other side, but I enjoy the challenges and I love working with sheep. “And I love running with the dogs. “I think that’s part of the fun working with the sheep.� Simon said he is now always looking to the future and how to make it sustainable, which he believes can be tough. “One of the challenges about farming is that at times everything needs to get done at once. “So it’s managing to try and get everything done on time and of course you are always relying on the weather. “But trying to make it sustainable is the most important thing. “We have two young kids that hopefully continue it on as well, so it’s a matter of doing things smarter and making it sustainable and working with prices,� he said.

NEWS

Page 14, North East Farmer

January 2014

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BEEF WEEK

January 2014

North East Farmer, Page 15

Angus leading the way at Beef Week 2014 ABOUT 263 beef cattle studs representing 33 breeds will be involved in Australia’s biggest on-farm open day event that begins on Tuesday, January 28 and runs to Wednesday, February 5. The 2014 Stock & Land Beef Week has extended to nine days, attracting more entries and increasing more opportunities for visitors to inspect cattle on more properties. As in the past, Herefords and Angus studs make up more than

Phillips who has been managing the event for the past 21 of its 23 year history said the 2014 event has 30 or more studs, many who were part of the original 50 that started in 1992. “The eastern Riverina day that ran from the Murray River north to Canberra has been split into two days, with 30 studs in the northern half and 29 in the southern half,” Mr Phillips said. “If we hadn’t made that change, 59 studs would have

half the studs involved, with 79 Whitefaced studs and 59 Angus studs opening their gates. The Angus entry is the largest since 2008. Other breeds with strong representation include Limousin with 19 studs, Charolais with 15 and Murray Grey with 12. Debutante breeds include Ausline and Speckline, both Lowline influenced and White Galloways will be on display for the first time. Beef Week director Geoff

been open on the one day which would have been detrimental for both exhibitors and visitors. “We also have a foundation sponsor Merial still involved, while a brand new sponsor Rivalea Stockfeeds has joined the support group for 2014,” he said. Starting on Tuesday, January 28, in the north east Riverina, a cavalcade of beef cattle enthusiasts will follow the Beef Week trail, concluding on

Wednesday, February 5 when 38 studs will open their gates in south west Victoria, the biggest day in Beef Week. Mr Phillips said Beef Week is a great opportunity for seedstock and commercial producers to compare breeds and studs within breeds before making buying decisions. “Beef Week allows both big and small operations to display their stock,” Mr Phillips said. “Many sell privately on the day and for many studs it is

their major marketing day of the year, while others display the bulls catalogued for upcoming on-property sales.” One of the event’s additional attractions is the RASV Beef Week Heifer Challenge, with properties displaying a pen of 10 of their best registered 2012 born heifers. There is $4500 up for grabs in cash prize money for the winners. For more information visit www.beefweek.com.au.

Beef report states future is looking bright

FINANCIAL RETURNS: Welcome Swallow Angus stud breeders are providing excellent financial returns for clients.

Unique offering of female genetics Welcome Swallow female genetics consisting of many important donor genetics. All have been PTIC to calve from April 2014 to AI sires KC Haas GPS, AAAR Ten X 7008, Connealy Earnen, Werner Westward, LCC New Standard and BPF Special Focus 504. Welcome Swallow strives to breed structurally sound cattle using the very best genetics to deliver highly fertile, easy doing cattle with great temperament, calving ease, growth spread and carcase characteristics. “They’re versatile, they’ve been through the rigorous program, and we always aim to deliver a good product,” Ms Martin said. Welcome Swallow has developed

THE first release of the Welcome Swallow Angus stud breeding program will be up for sale in March. The sale will display the autumn herd consisting of 60 HBR, APR and Recipient Females PTIC. Welcome Swallow co-principals Jim and Suzy Martin said the part dispersal will be held on Monday, March 17, 2014 at 11am to enable the move to spring calving. “We’re moving to totally spring calving,” Ms Martin said. “We tried autumn calving but we found it was more work and we’d rather concentrate on it in one pocket of time and do it intensely.” The sale represents a first and unique offering of among the best of

its ‘one stop shop’ for Angus breeders over the past five years and has purpose bred Charolais herd to cross with Angus to help Angus beef producers manage risk and build flexibility into their production systems. All Charolais bred at Welcome Swallow have rock solid calving ease combined with fantastic growth plus good fat cover. “Having more than 3000 progeny now sold through the cattle markets we know this has delivered participating clients a boost to their KG of Beef/HA and excellent financial returns as well as enhanced seasonal and market risk,” Ms Martin said. For more information visit www. welcomeswallowangus.com.au.

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200

second-largest bovine exporter in 2012, the growth in the Indian buffalo meat shipments continued throughout 2013, increasing four per cent in the first six months of 2013,” he said. “Of particular importance is India’s continued push of buffalo exports into markets such as Vietnam and Thailand presumably through grey channel for re-export to China.” Additionally though, more optimistic signals are forecast in the live cattle trade, the report says, with increased demand from Indonesia welcomed, assuming supply can be sourced. Mr Costello said after a very difficult two years, Australia’s beef sector will be hoping for increased returns in 2014, as supply tightens domestically and global beef demand remains strong. “Looking ahead to 2014, the ongoing drought conditions in Australia are likely to further hinder any growth in livestock numbers,” he said. “Between January and September, total Australian cattle slaughter has been sustained throughout 2013, increasing 14 per cent or 842,000 head year-onyear, to 6.8 million head with the majority of the additional processing volumes attributed to cow and heifer slaughter.” Mr Costello said since January 2010, significant herd rebuilding has taken place, but the seasonal pressures of 2013 have forced producers to offload breeding stock with total herd expectations around 28 million head.

Thurs 30 Jan

NEW BULL SALE DATE BW

AUSTRALIA’S beef industry faces brighter prospects in 2014 with strong international demand, combined with tight local supply, according to a new report released by agribusiness banking specialist, Rabobank. The report, Beef in 2014: Demand bright, local supply tight, says the decline in beef production, particularly in lean beef, in the United States – Australia’s second largest beef export market – means Australian product will be in demand. The US will experience a significant decline in beef production in 2014, the Rabobank report says. “The urgency to rebuild the US herd is becoming ever more pressing due to the ongoing liquidation occurring over the past three or so years,” Rabobank report co-author and animal proteins analyst, Matt Costello, said. “If weather permits, US producers will need to grow cattle numbers which are now at 60-year lows. “With tight US supply forecast for 2014, this will help drive strong demand for Australian product.” However, the Rabobank report cautions, in other less traditional markets – where cost is the primary determinant – growing competition from India should be expected, with increased local Indian supply available for export. Increasing exports of Indian buffalo meat in 2014 will target South East Asian markets, according to the report. “After becoming the world’s

BEEF WEEK

Page 16, North East Farmer

January 2014

Get in early to purchase Robin Hood D.194 progeny THE first progeny of Heatherington Park Poll Herefords’ stud sire, Allendale Robin Hood D.194, will be up for sale during Beef Week on Sunday, February 2, 2014. “Get in early,” is the advice of stud owner Phil Gay to secure some of Poll Herefords’ best genetics with Breedplan EBVs that are outstanding, combining low birth weight, high growth and milk and

excellent carcase traits for muscle and marbling. Heatherington Park Poll Herefords began operation in 1991, originally located in northern Victoria and consisted of a commercial herd with a few registered stud cows. Moving to Kingston in 2002, Mr Gay began concentrating on the stud operations selling bulls to local and regional breeders.

“Currently our stud comprises 55 to 60 autumn calving cows,” Mr Gay said. “As well as running stud bulls, cows and calves, we also carry 10-12 replacement heifers and 8 -10 young bulls. Foundation females were purchased from Studbrook, Wolbull, Margfred Park and Polaris, with further females from Kenya, Omeo,

Glenpoll breeds cattle that satisfy the discerning cattle breeder. Females are selected on milking ability, fertility, temperament, structural soundness and the ability to produce highly productive progeny. Glenpoll believes it is achieving this and welcomes you to our Beef Week open day. Males and females for sale. Glenpoll learns from the past, works in the present, and builds for the future.

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Further information contact - Ferruccio Tonini (03) 5766 2417 / 0427 662 417 E: glenpoll@internode.on.net

THERE is never a dull moment at Bob and Jan Andrews’ Old Kentucky Angus and Blonde D’Aquitaine stud, and as they head into Day 3 of Beef Week there is a little mystery being created by Bob himself. “We are going to do something special this year, I won’t say much as it will be great to create a little mystery around it, but I will

First Sons of ALLENDALE ROBIN HOOD

D.194

H.Robin Hood H.29

are for sale during Beef Week

H.Robin Hood H.43

AVAILABLE FOR SALE BEEF WEEK - SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2

Robin Hood D.194 was purchased at the Dubbo National 2010, in partnership with Ke-Warra stud. He has outstanding Breedplan EBV’s, and his excellent rising twoyear old, grass-fed, sons show all the qualities of their sire. A son sold Dubbo 2012 for $10,000. D.194 is out of the great U.5 cow, dam of all Robin Hood bulls, and his sire is by Allendale National W.168 (Sire of the year $85,000) out of Allendale Musketeer’s (Sire of the year $58,000) full sister. Two sons of Valma Oakley D.38, purchased Wodonga, and selected females, are also for sale. All visitors are most welcome.

FOR SALE

v/12d12144/49-13

PHILIP R. GAY, Ph/Fax 03 5345 6167; Mobile 0412 565 292

www.heatheringtonpark.com.au 3832 Creswick-Newstead Road, Kingston 3364 (8.5 kms from Creswick)

recently weaned calves,” Mr Gay said. “This provides an opportunity to gain an insight into our breeding program and to discuss matters of mutual interest.” Heatherington Park Poll Hereford Stud is a member of Group Breedplan and is MN1. For more information visit www. heatheringtonpark.com.au.

Mystery surrounds Old Kentucky Stud

Beef Week - Day Three - Thursday, January 30th

Location: 321 Glenrowan-Moyhu Rd, 6k NE of Glenrowan PO, 3.5km from Hume Fwy/Glenrowan ‘on-off ramp’ (northern end of Glenrowan).

BRT, Wiranya, Debarry, Studbrook and Burando dispersals. Stud sire Robin Hood D.194 was purchased in 2010 at Dubbo and has since had progeny sold for $30,000. Semen is also available for sale. “During Beef Week we will feature our sale bulls along with a sample of our breeding females, yearling bulls and heifers and

H. Robin Hood H.18

say that I have come across some very hard to find semen from some very special bulls,” Bob said. Open day at the Londrigan property is on Thursday, January 30, 2014, starting at 9am and going through to 6pm and on display will be 16 Angus bulls, four Londrigan blacks (50 per cent Angus, 50 per cent Blonde) 15 Blonde D’Aquitaine bulls, four of which are yearlings from highly sought after overseas sires, four Angus heifers and four Blonde heifers. The open day during Beef Week will be followed by the stud’s onfarm sale on Wednesday, March 5. Viewing of the animals starts at 10am and lunch will be provided at 11.30am to 12.30pm, with the sale beginning at 1pm. Those unable to make it to the Beef Week open day are invited to make an appointment as Bob is “only too happy” to show prospective buyers what he has on offer. “This year we have picked four of each Angus and Blonde heifers to sell which will already be trained to lead, be clipped and in show

BLONDE BEAUTY: Blonde D’Aquitaine stud bull AGA KHAN will be on display during Beef Week.

condition,” Bob said. “They will also be pregnancy tested in calf. “You will be able to take them straight from our property and show them. “We also have some cracking bulls coming in,” he said. The Andrews’ business has moved beyond stud breeding over the past year into online beef sales. The steers and heifers that go into the online sales from Londrigan Beef are all crossbreds sired by Blonde D’Aquitaine bulls

from 200 to 300 commercial British breed cows run on the Andrews’ property. The meat can also be purchased at Your Everyday Gourmet Butchers in Wangaratta. “We are happy to see anyone at any time and spend an hour or so with them showing them where the cattle have come from and how they have been reared,” Bob said. For more information visit www.oldkentucky. com.au or for meat sales visit www.buymeat.net.au.

BEEF WEEK OPEN DAY Jim Bruce 0419 600 355 Stephen Street 0428 579 338 Ben Minogue 0428 198 393 Trevor Parker 0428 578 074

ANGUS Full Genetic Package On Display Sale Bulls and Females

ON PROPERTY BULL SALE

TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014 Manager: Ian Peake 5765 2222 0419 111 936 John and Joan Woodruff 0412 002 509 Hoysted Road, Taminick via Glenrowan

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

Beef Week Open Day Thursday January 30, 2014 Day 3 t/12d11561/01-13

Visit us during Beef Week to see our sale stock including Blondes and Angus - bulls and heifers. Stud and commercial cattle will be on display. Blonde and Angus bulls for sale on the day Aga Khan’s - Progeny on display at Beef Week

All visitors welcome from 9.00am to 6.00pm

Raff Empire H385 - On display at Beef Week

BEEF WEEK

January 2014

Riga Angus keeps producing variety

North East Farmer, Page 17

Prime Angus takes versatile approach with the best of genetics

PROFITABLE ANGUS: Owners of the Riga Angus Stud ensure that everything possible is done to produce a quality assured product.

be on display continue to show the direction of our bulls – thick and meaty. “For the first time, we have taken steps to provide DNA tested parent verification of pedigree for our ‘J’ drop bulls, ensuring increased credibility for animals described as pedigree free of genetic conditions. “Everything possible is done to produce a quality assured product including Pfizer star certified for key vaccinations, tested for and identified for known genetic conditions, maximum measured data input into breedplan, independently structurally scored and assessed and fertility guaranteed,” she said. Riga Angus bulls will be sold by private treaty, with 20 month old bulls currently for sale. Light refreshments will be available during the open day. For more information visit www.rigaangus.com.au.

Open for Beefweek Thurs Jan 30th Sires Include; Tuwharetoa Regent Te Mania Emperor Te Mania Africa Lawsons Nadal Booroomooka Inspired CXB J17 EMPEROR SON @ 8 Mths

Peter & Annick Butterfield

Mob: 0428 306 729

8th Annual on Property YEARLING BULL SALE 11.30am, Friday February 28th 1174 BENALLA/WARRENBAYNE ROAD, WARRENBAYNE

Ph (03) 5763 2341

ALL FREE X 4 GENETIC DEFECTS Bulls to top 1% Long Fed Index Huge growth with Calving ease T/12D12135/02-14

namely cow size, fat cover and feed efficiency,” Mrs Finger said. “These females are exposed to consistent selection pressure and management of parameters that determine calving ease, namely birthweight, structure, nutrition including pastures and fitness that enable repeatable results. “A noteworthy success of this strategy is last year’s entire ‘G’ drop of heifers, including the challenge winners calving 100 per cent unassisted with 100 per cent live calves,” she said. Also on display during Day 6 of Beef Week on Sunday, February 2, 2014 is the stud’s display of ‘H’ drop heifers for the heifer challenge and 20 commercial ‘J’ drop weaner heifers and ‘H’ bulls, with both up for sale. “Our ‘H’ bulls that will be on display and are for sale reflect the emphasis on muscle, growth and carcase,” Mrs Finger said. “The ‘J’ weaner bulls that will

suited to the domestic market. “Adaptability in the current environment is everything,” Mrs Butterfield said. “Breeding an animal which is versatile and which the market wants when you want to sell, places the producer in a much stronger position,” she said. Participating in this year’s Beef Week on Thursday, January 30, the Butterfields’ welcome previous buyers and newcomers to view its sale bulls, dams and lines of steers and heifers. Prime Angus’ yearling on-property bull sale will be on Friday, January 28, with about 35 HBR bulls to be offered up for sale by Helmsman auction. “All bulls will be sold free of the four known genetic defects and we will be on hand during Beef Week to answer any questions,” Mrs Butterfield said. For more information visit www. primeangusstud.com.au.

t/12d12202/02-14

OVER the last 40 years the belief that profitability lies in the performance and efficiency of the cow herd has remained integral to the owners of the Riga Angus Stud. The family owned business run on ‘Nillahcootie Park’ situated 10 kilometres north west of Mansfield on the Midland Highway is operated by Vera and Ian Finger and their two children, Kate and Tim. The stud was established in 1972 and continues to produce bulls that suit a variety of markets from grass fed to export B3 feedlot. Mrs Finger said that on display during this year’s Beef Week will be a selection of the stud’s functional and efficient females that demonstrate fertility year in and year out despite the season. “This has been achieved through consistent selection pressure on the traits that drive fertility,

TO survive in the beef industry, the principals of Prime Angus Stud believe it is important to minimise costs and get the most from every dollar spent on farm. Peter and Annik Butterfield feel their bull selling method can do just that by selling 12 to 13 month old bulls that allow low opening bids giving buyers the opportunity to access top genetics at sensational prices. Now in its 13th year, Prime Angus has a cow herd based on a blend of the very best US and Australian genetics. Fertility, calving ease, temperament, high growth and excellence in carcase traits are the Butterfields’ main breeding objectives. Although Peter and Annik Butterfield breed for the long fed Japanese market, sires are selected with a higher fat cover than is traditionally used for this market. The calves are therefore equally

Value + Quality Opening Bids $1750 CXB J15 REGENT SON @ 8 Mths

Web: www.primeangusstud.com.au

Email: annick@skymesh.com.au

'RENARD BLONDES' - Est 1989 131 Irvin Road, Cobram & 'Sandford' Corowa

400+ Herd

Open to visitors at Cobram Beef Week Day 7 Monday, February 3rd Excellent Bulls for Sale Carcase award winning breed Ease of Calving – Great Temperament Refreshments Available

Contact : Ian Fox – 0419 721 881 : 03 5871 2382

300+ STUD HERD t/12d12248/02-14

Email: foxesblondes@bigpond.com

BEEF WEEK

Page 18, North East Farmer

January 2014

Rosstulla’s 50th year Boonderoo South of cold country cattle

______________www.nenews.com.au weareonline

Devon Stud

On show for Beef Week, Sun. Feb.2, 2014 at Boonderoo South Devon Stud, 67 McNiffs Rd, Redesdale 3444.

BULLS FOR SALE Carrying proven bloodlines for taste, tenderness and temperament.

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Email: hilary@boonderoo.com.au. Tel: (03)5425 3200, Mob: 0418 361 630

OPEN DAY THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

osstulla R HOLDINGS Bulls & Females A selection of the herd on display MN1 and Breedplan.

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF BREEDING REX, TRISH AND NARELLE FORREST ‘Rosstulla’ Forrest Lane, BEECHWORTH Vic 3747 PHONE:

035728 1146

Rex’s Mobile: 0407 281 146 www.rosstulla.com

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The Forrest Family invite you to join us to see the results of our breeding program

COUNTRY CATTLE: Rex and Trish Forrest will continue to build on the size and thickness of their cattle.

“To celebrate our 50th birthday we have specially selected 10 joined females which we would ordinarily retain within the herd and these will only be available for sale for the week of the field day,” he said. Rosstulla has only missed three Beef Weeks since its inception, having been part of the North East Poll Herefords group before Beef Week began. The stud will have about 15 bulls, 10 heifers, and “a few females and calves” on display

beginning at 9am going through to 6pm on Thursday, January 30, 2014 at its property at Forrest Lane, Beechworth. “We would really like to see everyone come along and celebrate our 50 years with us, share a cuppa and come and say hello,” Rex said. Rosstulla has MN1 accredited status under the National Johnes Progam and is now part of Breed Plan. For more information visit www.rosstulla.com.

Tender and tasty at Boonderoo Stud

for Sale

“COLD COUNTRY CATTLE WITH MILK AND MUSCLE”

ACCORDING to the owners of Rosstulla Holdings, the word ‘Rosstulla’ is the well-known stud prefix for a Poll Hereford stud, which is lucky seeing that is a large part of its business alongside its sheep and wool operations. Rosstulla Holdings, situated on the edge of Beechworth, is a farming enterprise owned and operated by Rex and Trish Forrest, together with their daughter Narelle. The land has been owned by the family since 1918, with Rex having worked on it since leaving school, with the Poll Hereford Stud having been established in the early 1960s by Rex’s parents, Balfour Greig Forrest and Leonie Mary Forrest. The cattle, described as cold country cattle with milk and muscle are run on light granite country alongside sheep. Rex boasts good doing ability and excellent milking ability as the key assets of his stud, while continuing to build on the size and thickness of his cattle. “We run 100 stud cows and use AI from New Zealand sires and a few special Australian sires,” Rex said. “We join about 30 heifers per year.

BOONDEROO South Devon Cattle Stud is positioned to take advantage of the best of many worlds – breed, climate, geography and soils. South Devon Cattle are recognised for their tender, tasty meat coming off carcasses that this year won the stud the Borthwick Trophy at the Royal Melbourne Agriculture Show. According to stud owners Hilary and Mark Jankelson, having been a dual purpose animal in the distant past South Devon calves benefit from the calibre and quantity of milk produced by their mother cows and from conversion rate to quality condition as they grass feed. This characteristic dominates in a cross breeding program. “Being situated on the volcanic uplands between the Campaspe and Coliban Rivers, south of Lake Eppalock, Boonderoo soils retain

moisture contributing to a longer growing season for the pastures,” Mrs Jankelson said. “From late winter to early summer, cows with spring calves at foot and cows with the previous autumn drop calves are grazed in intensive cells created across paddocks using temporary electric fencing. On areas of a quarter of an acre, our animals are moved every two to three days having eaten down the lush grasses and trampled the weeds. In rotating every thirty-two to thirty-six days through each cell the cattle are always eating ‘teenage’ fodder while the weeds are being suppressed. As soon as the pasture growth slows we revert to more broadacre grazing, augmented by forage harvesting from our walnut orchard inter-rows,” she said.

The bloodlines of the herd have been diversified with the introduction of genetics from interstate and overseas. In Australia there are 55 registered stud breeders and 55 registered commercial breeders, all supported by the South Devon Cattle Society of Australia Inc. With quality semen now being available from across the world the opportunities for these cattle are ever broadening. “Known for their quiet temperaments, ease of handling and suitability to both large and small acreages, South Devon Cattle are ideal for this environment,” Mrs Jankelson said. Boonderoo South Devon Stud has their cattle on show at its Redesdale property during Beef Week on Sunday, February 2, 2014. For more information phone Hilary Jankelson on 0418 361 630.

ALPINE ANGUS 11TH ANNUAL BULL & FEMALE SALE Thursday 27 Mar 2014 1pm

14

PER FO RM

Jim Bruce: 0419 600 355 Brett Shea: 0428 691 489 Dan Ivone: 0427 480 548 Stephen Paull: 0409 578 283

20

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60 BULLS 10 FEMALES Specially Selected PTIC HBR 6WRFN /DQG %HHI :HHN Field day 30th Jan 2014 2SHQ 'D\ 2SHQ 'D\ 7th Mar 2014 After Myrtleford Calf Sales

t/12d12203/02-14

BEEF WEEK

January 2014

North East Farmer, Page 19

Mistletoe Limousin’s coming of age BEEF Week for Mistletoe Limousin will be a celebration of the stud’s breeding achievements over the past 21 years. Located in the heart of North East Victoria, 30 kilometres south of Wangaratta, Mistletoe Limousin was established in 1993 with stud principal Denis O’Connor very proud of the herd he has produced via thorough research and selection of genetics. “Concentrating on ease of birth, 200 and 400 day growth and docility has made our herd excellent, with our sires’ progeny

having been consistent sale toppers at the Wangaratta Livestock Selling Exchange,” Mr O’Connor said. Ionesco, Dauphin, Ozeus, and French pure polled SVL Polled Exclusive and Jim Dandie are some of the AI sires used to enhance the desired traits of the Mistletoe herd. “The introduction of polled genetics meets the demand of the markets to produce quality polled sires for the commercial cattle producer,” Mr O’Connor said. “The extra muscle of the

Limousin increases the profit margin for the commercial cattle producer when compared to using the traditional British sires. “Besides using an extensive AI program, we have used bulls to cover cows that did not conceive to the AI program by sourcing stud sires from the successful Chateau Limousin Stud,” he said. Open day for the stud coincides with the stud’s 21st birthday on Thursday, January 30, 2014. Heifers going to the Na-

tional Limousin Show and Sale at Wodonga will be on display, alongside bulls for sale, cow families and the stud sire will be on show. “Every year Mistletoe Limousin enters in Beef Week to give cattle producers the opportunity to view the herd at home,” Mr O’Connor said. “Visitors are welcome any time but be sure to give us a call to ensure that we will be available on the particular day.” For more information visit www.mistletoelimousin.com.

BREEDING SUCCESS: Witherswood bulls are known for their thickness, length, muscle and bone.

JOHN and Joan Woodruff at Taminick in the Warby Range are well known for the Angus cattle they are breeding. Careful use of selected sires in the breeding program is producing a quality finished article. Witherswood Angus bulls are known for their thickness, length, muscle and bone, and their ability to breed quality replacement heifers for the stud’s clients. Stud principal John Woodruff said that as seed stock producers, their role is providing excellent genetics to producers to assist them to breed cattle that can optimise returns through growth and carcase quality. “We know only too well, that the heifers retained from a breeding

program are the basis for future success,” Mr Woodruff said. “By listening to clients, watching market demand and observing what happens in the paddock, the Witherswood program identifies the traits and bloodlines to produce the best results for you,” he said. Mr Woodruff said that the selection and breeding system they have developed acts as a filter, not only identifying the best but also eliminating poor performers. “It is not by chance that most of the sires used at Witherswood have become multiple trait leaders within the Angus breed, and it is rewarding to see clients’ steers and heifers selling to strong competition at Wodonga,

Thursday, January 30, 2014

OPEN DAY from 8am

All visitors welcome

PROGENY OF MISTLETOE BULLS ARE REGULAR TOPPERS AT THE WANGARATTA SALES EXCHANGE Denis O’Connor, Stud Principal Phone (03) 5766 6365 Mistletoe Limousins Mobile: 0428 279 431 1215 Dinnings Lane Email: doctortwo@bigpond.com Greta South, VIC 3675

www.mistletoelimousin.com

ranganpark@gmail.com

T/12D12162/02-14

ON PROPERTY SALE - 14TH MARCH 2014

Euroa and Wangaratta,” Mr Woodruff said. “This year we have taken the opportunity to purchase some outstanding female breeders to add to our herd.” A selection of bulls, cows and calves will be on display at the stud’s open day on Thursday, January 30, 2014 as part of Beef Week 2014. “We also take this opportunity to introduce our new stud manager, Ian Peake,” Mr Woodruff said. “Ian has had many years in the cattle industry and will be available to listen to and discuss breeding ideas with clients and visitors,” he said. For more information visit www.witherswoodangus.com.au.

BEEF WEEK 2014 t/12d12286/02-14

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DESIRED TRAITS: Heifers, bulls, cow families and the stud sire will all be on display at Mistletoe during Beef Week.

Page 20, North East Farmer

BEEF WEEK

January 2014

Six Star 2012 embryo drop for sale at Riverina THE principals of Riverina Speckle Parks were two of the six founders of the Speckle Park breed in Australia. Mark Baker and Mike Todd started Riverina Speckle in 2012 with an initial herd of about 40 females. Principal Mark Baker has been president of Speckle Park International, which is the breed registry for Australia, New Zealand and the United States since its inception in 2008. Mr Todd and Mr Baker run the herd along the same commercial lines as its existing successful Poll Hereford herd, Kanimbla Poll Herefords, which has been in existence for almost 25 years. Mr Baker said the emphasis for its Speckle Parks breed will be to produce bulls that will produce cross bred calves for the premium meat market – nothing more and nothing less. “To build our pure herd, Riverina will continue to use its embryo program and we plan to have around 100 breeders,” Mr Baker said. “We have already commenced a Speckle Park cross bred program with our Poll Herefords and we will build on this. “We are already seeing this as an enviable breeding program,” he said. The Speckle Park breed is building from a small base, with the first calves born in Australia in 2008. Since then more than 2000

THE ANNUAL SPECKLE PARK BEEF WEEK

SPECTACULAR SPECKLE PARKS: Riverina breeders will produce cross bred calves for the premium meat market.

embryos have been imported into Australia and there are now more than 90 members in Australia and New Zealand. “The breed is now shown regularly at most major shows right across Australia,” Mr Baker said. “In 2012, a Speckle Park heifer won the interbreed competition at the Royal Melbourne Show. “The breed has also performed well at carcase shows. “It has had outstanding carcase wins at Ekka, Canberra, Bega and most recently at the Beef Bonanza

at Scone,” he said. The breed is supported by branded beef products, the largest of which is Minnamurra Supreme Speckle Park, which is keen to source cross bred Speckle Park weaners. Riverina Speckle Parks is located on Mirrabooka Road just off the Hume Highway, north of Holbrook in NSW and will be part of Beef Week, opening for visitors on Wednesday, January 29, 2014. Many Speckle Parks will be on display and available for purchase

at “very reasonable prices” starting at $3000 by private treaty. “This is the second time Riverina has had such an offering during Beef Week and we plan to continue this into the future,” Mr Baker said. “This sale will be special because we are also offering the entire Six Star 2012 embryo drop for sale, which are from leading Canadian genetics,” he said. For more information visit www.riverinaspeckleparks. com.au.

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Embryos Semen Ask for a brochure: Mike Todd 0428 355 234 James McWilliam 0438 268 406 info@riverinaspeckleparks.com www.riverinaspeckleparks.com t/05d06820/02-14

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BEEF WEEK

January 2014

Kenmere-sired cattle yield more for pocket AN extra 30-40kg liveweight yield in their vealer calves has meant more money in the pocket for Goulburn Valley beef producers Fred and Joyce Muller. The couple, from Nagambie in North East Victoria, can now turn off seven to eight-month-old vealers at 400kg after introducing Charolais to their British bred cow herd. “The calves are not supplementary fed – they are sold straight off their mothers,’’ Mr Muller said. The Mullers are regularly among the top prices at the

Shepparton prime cattle market, achieving up to $918 for eightmonth-old steers. Their Charolais-cross heifers are sought after by domestic processors, with feedback indicating dressing percentages of 62. The couple bought their first Charolais bull at the Wodonga All Breeds bull sale in 2009. The bull, the sale’s top price lot, was from the Kenmere stud of Matt and Ann-Marie Collins, of Holbrook, NSW. The Mullers had trialled British bred, European and bos Indicus

bulls over their Shorthorn-Hereford cross cows but settled on Charolais after using a borrowed bull over 20 cows. “We liked the Charolais cross calves and the good temperament of the bull – it was so easy to walk in the yards,’’ Mr Muller said. “The calves were 30-40kg heavier than the British breds.’’ Those calves averaged 355kg and sold for 234c/kg or $834. Kenmere Beef Week offering can be seen at ‘Moorak’ in Rankin Lane , Holbrook, on January 29, 2014.

BEEF WEEK BEECHWORTH Day 3 - Thursday, January 30th 2014 Robinson Rd, Beechworth The Robinson Family invite you to inspect a range of Cattle including Bulls for Sale at our Autumn Bull Sale. March 20th 2014 at Beechworth. Enquiries welcome.

Alan & Jan Robinson

Beechworth

Phone / Fax: (02) 6032 4124 Mobile: 0429 324 124 Email: jarobee@bigpond.com v/12d12167/49-13

North East Farmer, Page 21

Le Martres Limousins offer quality cattle FOR the past 15 years, the Martin family have been using objective measurement under the guidance of the National Ecosystems Group (NEG) as a breeding and selection tool for their Limousin stud. Leon Martin, principal of the Le Martres Limousin stud, located at Table Top in NSW, together with stud manager Ron Leary have successfully been able to produce beef cattle with dressing percentage of up to 68 per cent, based on a curfewed LWT. Proudly breeding French and Australian pure bred Limousin cattle with “exceptional quality carcases, various coat colors and horned or polled”, the stud’s cattle are bred to perform in Australian conditions. According to Mr Martin, all cattle are selected for natural temperament, performance and muscling off grass. “We have been carcase scanning our cattle since 1998 and gene testing our cattle since 2010,” Mr Martin said. “Le Martres Limousin’s outstanding carcase results do all the talking. “This year at Beef Week we have an exciting new draft of big butt bulls on

BLACK BEAUTY: The owners of Le Martres Limousins have successfully been able to produce beef cattle with dressing percentage of up to 68 per cent, based on a curfewed LWT.

display for our upcoming bull sale,” he said. Mr Martin said that by using the NEG selection program it utilises objective measurement including weighing, live scanning and indexing technology to identify meat yield and quality and variable fat content of livestock. This provides a Carcase Merit Index enabling the ranking of individual stock and identification of superior stock. Le Martres has specifically selected Lim-

ousin cattle that have outstanding longevity as this is a very important trait for maximising on-farm resource efficiency and optimising profitability. “Our cows also continue to breed up to 10, 15 and 20 years, and, in the case of bulls up to 10 years,” Mr Martin said. Le Martres Limousins will be open on day two of Beef Week on Wednesday, January 29, 2014. For more information contact Leon Martin on 0428 577 138.

INVI TATI ON

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For more information go to www.kenmerecharolais.com.au or phone 0412 608 043 MOORAK, Rankin Lane, Holbrook t/12d12170/02-14

Leon Martin (02) 6043 1328 0428 577 138 leonmartin@lemartreslimousins.com

Location: ‘Rosemont Farm’ Table Top, NSW www.lemartreslimousins.com

BEEF WEEK

Page 22, North East Farmer

Blonde d’Aquitaines for private treaty

______________www.nenews.com.au weareonline

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DUE to a down sizing of their farm in moving Wahring/Nagambie from Broadford, Rudi and Loree Spiteri will be offering for sale by private treaty during Beef Week, a large selection of their Blonde d’Aquitaine stud cattle. Their sale days will be Sunday, February 2 and Monday, February 3 and it will be the largest offering of Rahnik stock, for over 18 years. According to Rudi Spiteri, the offering will include 100 per cent grass fed stock that are heavy muscled, early maturing polled and horned commercial bulls, a homozygous polled bull, unjoined females, cows with calves or in calf and a small number of imported embryos. The latter are from the famous Druk herd in England along with homozygous polled semen from Rahnik G Polled Express PP. Mr Spiteri said, “So if you are chasing anything Blonde, the chances are we will have it on the day.” The Spiteris run around 60 registered Blonde breeders under strict commercial conditions. “Our females must perform on paddock feed and have the ability to thrive in dry times,” Mr Spiteri said.

Beef & Dairy Cattle

t/12d11936-v2/36-13

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0411 482 747 www.ultrastock.com.au

January 2014

CLARINDA CHAROLAIS EASY - CALVING EASY - TO MANAGE EASY - MONEY

BLONDE MATRIARCH: Pictured at 13 years old Renard Queen is still the queen of the Rahnik herd at 17 years old. In 1998 and 2002 she took out supreme all breeds champion at the Royal Melbourne Show.

Fertility is a high priority while early maturity with heavy muscle and softness is sought after. “At Rahnik, we believe that female selection is equally important to our sire selection, to produce the powerful bulls and females that today’s market requires,” he said. Mr Spiteri said all stock purchased on February 2 and 3, may remain on the farm at no extra charge for up to six months, with delivery arranged at the buyer’s request. Then free delivery up to 300km from Nagambie will be available. During the sale days, all prices

will be declared and clearly displayed on sale stock although a 15 per cent discount will be available to all repeat buyers Also, the usual 10 per cent commission will be offered to all agents introducing new clients. For those wishing to start a Blonde d’Aquitaine stud, Rahnik will be offering a Blonde stud package of eight stud registered heifers and one stud bull as well as one year’s free membership of the Blonde breed society. “We will offer easy sale terms with generous conditions,” Mr Spiteri said.

Alpine Angus prepares 60-bull preview t/12d12047/41-13

KEN & GEORGIE MANTON Mob 0437 585 605. Email. ken.manton@hotmail.com

POREPUNKAH’S Alpine Angus will offer 60 bulls and 10 speciallyselected females at the stud’s eleventh annual sale next autumn. Stock can be previewed at its Beef Week field day on January 30. The breeders will also host an open day on March 7 - part of the Myrtleford Festival - after the

Hay

NEW SOUTH WALES

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DAY DAY 1

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

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Ouyen

Swan Hill

Warracknabeal

Charlton

7

Holbrook

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St Arnaud

Benalla

DAY 6 DAY Ballarat

Sunday February 2

DAY 8 DAY

Melbourne

Tuesday FebruaryColac 4

Geelong

DAY DAY 2

2

3

Bega Omeo

Eildon Mt Buller

6

DAY DAY 4

4

Friday January 31 Orbost

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DAY DAY 5

Warragul

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Wednesday January 29

South-east Australia becomes SEEDSTOCK CENTRAL from Jan 28 to Feb 5 when the nation’s premier seedstock producers open their gates. Visit our website or call at any participating stud on their open day and pick up a Beef Week book.

Morwell

5

Saturday February 1

www.beefweek.com.au

RAHNIK BLONDE d’AQUITAINE STUD

If you are chasing thick heavy muscled calves, this day is for you! web site: www.rahnikblondes.com

NO INVITATION REQUIRED - So Please come along for a look and a chat

OPEN 2 DAYS - Sunday 6th No 679 & Monday 7th No 779

RAHNIK is having a Huge reduction sale!

t/05d06822/02-14

Due to our property downsize, we are reluctantly offering around 50 Bulls & Females for genuine sale. Homozygous Polled, Single Polled & Horned, embryo calves, Homozygous semen & imported embryos. STUD starter package, ‘Big Arsed’ commercial Bulls, Stud Bulls & Females both Polled & Horned. This is our Largest ever offering of Rahnik stock, ALL at affordable prices with prices declared on all animals. Offering Generous Terms & conditions including free delivery within 300 km, 15% cash rebate to all repeat buyers. 10% Agent rebate introducing new clients, free agistment with future delivery anytime up to 6 months

Rudi & Loree Spiteri. Phone 0418575561

77 Wahring Euroa Road, Wahring 10 km north of Nagambie

Email: rahnikblondes@bigpond.com

t/12d12130/02-14

Warrnambool Portland

Seymour

Ararat

8

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Corryong

Mansfield

Wednesday February 5 Hamilton

DAY 3 DAY Thursday January 30

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Monday February 3

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Since 2011 it has been managed by Chris and Elissa Oswin. Alpine Angus farms 1250 aces, owned and leased, 850 acres owned by the Delany family; 240 acres at Porepunkah at the foot of Mount Buffalo in North East Victoria and 610 acres 15 kilometres away at Rosewhite.

GLENPOLL Poll Hereford stud principal Ferrucio Tonini said Glenpoll learns from the past, works in the present and builds for the future. After running a successful vealer production for a long time, Mr Tonini decided he needed a new challenge, so in 1988 he purchased some property in Glenrowan and built it up to be the Poll Hereford stud that it is today. Running 250 head on property, Mr Tonini said that he breeds cattle that satisfy the discerning cattle breeder. “We have a hardy herd that are run on commercial lines so only the best always survive in the herd,” Mr Tonini said. “They have to be good doers. “Our females are selected on milking ability, fertility, temperament, structural soundness and ability to produce highly productive progeny,” he said. A select number of males and females will be up for sale and some exceptional male bulls will be on display during day 3 of Beef Week on Thursday, January 30, 2014. For more information contact Ferrucio Tonini on 0427 662 417.

At the cutting edge...

Mildura

DAY DAY 9

Myrtleford calf sales. Alpine Angus’s sale will be held on March 27. Alpine Angus is committed to high quality Angus cattle backed by strong performance and genetic diversity. The stud was established in 1998 by Jim and Clare Delany.

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Page 24, North East Farmer

INTERNATIONAL DAIRY WEEK

January 2014

International Dairy Week one of the largest and best in the world AUSTRALIA’S premier dairy event is set to take place on Sunday, January 19 through to Thursday, January 23, 2014 at the Tatura showgrounds. International Dairy Week (IDW) is the premier dairy event in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere and proudly rates among the top five dairy cattle shows in the world.

Established in 1990, IDW began as a Holstein show and sale and an all-breeds youth show that included international speakers invited to discuss global dairy trends. As interest grew other dairy breeds were invited into the show ring and offered for sale. Hard work and vision has built an annual event that is today indisput-

ably the largest international dairy cattle sale and show in the Southern Hemisphere. Over five days, more than 1000 head of first class Australian dairy cattle and 180 dairy breeders compete for prestigious awards. More than 100 dairy companies and businesses make up a large dairy focused trade exhibition dis-

playing the latest in products and technologies. A series of free seminars allows industry professionals to provide upto-date information on the Australian and global dairy industry. Progeny tours are held on-site at IDW and also to local dairy farms in the region. The week attracts more than 4000

exhibitors and visitors to Tatura from all Australian states and from an increasing number of established and developing dairy countries such as Holland, France, USA, Canada, Italy, Germany, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, Mexico, Argentina and Brazil. For more information visit www. internationaldairyweek.com.au.

NAB predicts optimism for dairy industry

t/12d12269/02-14

AUSTRALIAN dairy producers can look forward to an improved year in 2013-14 thanks to increased price offerings and better seasonal conditions in major dairy producing regions. NAB regional agribusiness manager central Victoria Dave Davies said this improved sentiment follows a challenging 2012-13 for dairy farmers due to ongoing dry conditions, lower prices and lack of fodder availability. “Encouragingly this season’s opening prices for liquid milk and milk solids at the farm gate have lifted by an average of 20 to 25 per cent for southern exporters,” Mr Davies said. Also providing impetus to this season’s outlook has been a notable improvement in seasonal conditions, with ample rainfalls in the southern states during autumn and winter, coupled with a timely fall in the Australian dollar. “Looking ahead, average rainfall conditions are forecast in the key dairy producing regions of Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania,” Mr Davies said. “This should ensure the availability of irrigated water supplies will not be a constraint, while an expected bumper crop for southern grains should also lower supplementary feed prices,” he said. These factors are helping drive improved sentiment, with 73 per cent of dairy farmers in August saying they were fairly-to-very positive about the industry’s future, compared to just 44 per cent in February, according to

Dairy Australia’s latest National Dairy Farmer Survey. Mr Davies said that farm gate prices for northern producers are also expected to rise with the general tide, but not to the same degree. On the production side, however, the new Australian season’s year-todate milk flows have not shown signs of a pick-up in response to strong price signals. “Milk flow in the first four months (to October) of the 2013-14 marketing year was about four per cent lower compared to 2012-13, but wide regional variations exist,” said Mr Davies. Looking at the global picture, dairy prices have remained at historically high levels despite the Oceania peak production period now under way. This has been supported by strong pent-up demand from the downturn in supplies from New Zealand, the United States and Europe earlier this year. However, higher prices are beginning to entice a positive global supply response, with New Zealand and the United States likely to generate the greatest quantity of surplus milk for processing into dairy commodities in 2013-14. “In Europe many countries are showing strong growth in output but demand from their domestic market is currently soaking up the newly available milk,” Mr Davies said. As Australia’s leading agribusiness bank, NAB remains committed to Australian agriculture and are proud supporters of International Dairy Week 2014.

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Semex/Holstein comp winners announced THE final of Australia’s biggest annual dairy competition has taken place with 4068 animals from 608 breeders having been judged across Australia between October and December 2013. The Semex/Holstein Australia On-Farm Competition, now in its 13th year, was initiated by Semex, which is the exclusive Australian distributor of livestock genetics marketed by the Semex Alliance, the world’s largest artificial breeding organisation. Entrees from the South Eastern branch made up 33 per cent of the entire competition, with Bill Thompson of Glenorleigh Holsteins having judged the state final.

The youngest winner was 18 year old Lockington breeder Kayla Bradley whose three-year old Missy Moo Ladino Cathy took out the three-year old division. “It was very exciting and I didn’t expect to win,� Miss Bradley said. “It’s been a fun ride and I’d just like to thank Semex for running such a great competition and my parents for helping me get as far as I’ve got,� she added. Gorbro Holsteins at Cohuna dominated the Champion and Reserve Champion trophies this year, with the Gordon family entries winning the two-year old class and winning Reserve Champion in both the three

and four year old class. Semex started the competition to acknowledge quality, functional dairy cows, often and the unsung heroes of Australia’s dairy industry. Jim Conroy from Semex said the on-farm competition was well accepted by the industry. “This competition has a lot of momentum and is held in high regard, very high regard, both here in Australia and overseas,� Mr Conroy said. “The breeding industry is alive and well. “There is always good money to be made in selling high-end livestock.

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Page 26, North East Farmer

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“To ensure we do not fall further behind our competitors, it is vital that the FTA is implemented as soon as possible to kickstart the liberalisation process,” he said. The FTA with South Korea is set to boost Victorian dairy exports and eventually put up to $30 million in tariff payments back into farmers’pockets. It is expected that the FTA will result in import tariffs being wound down to zero over several years, but tariff-free quotas will be put in place on specific volumes of cheese, infant formula and butter. The FTA win comes hand in hand with a $40 million research and development partnership between the State Government and Dairy Australia,

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which is set to further enhance Victoria’s status as the powerhouse of Australia’s dairy industry. Minister for agriculture and food security Peter Walsh said that under the five-year partnership, the Department of Environment and Primary Industries and Dairy Australia will each contribute $4 million per year for targeted research to increase the industry’s productivity and make it more internationally competitive. “The Victorian Coalition is targeting research into food and fibre sectors where the industry is prepared to partner in the funding or delivery of that work, to achieve the best outcome,” Mr Walsh said. “This agreement will help our Victorian scientists find new ways to improve the industry’s feeding systems, lift reproductive performance in our herds and increase soil productivity,” he said. The Victorian Government’s share of the funding will be provided as part of its Growing Food and Fibre initiative, which is providing an additional $125 million for research and development to boost

VFF president Peter Tuohey said that while not opposed to foreign investment, Australia needs to ensure adequate oversight of foreign investment to be certain it “benefits all Australians and doesn’t result in profits being shifted offshore”. “It’s a win for farmers who have been demanding greater FIRB oversight on foreign investment in farm land and agribusinesses,” Mr Tuohey said. “It is a relief to see the Federal Government deliver, in part, one of its key election commitments by agreeing to terms that will form the KoreaAustralia FTA,” he said.

on-farm productivity. Mr Howes’ comments were part of his criticism of Federal treasurer Joe Hockey’s decision to veto the $3.4 billion takeover of GrainCorp by US company Archer Daniels Midland (ADM). Mr Howes accused Mr Hockey of “kowtowing to the Nationals” who also opposed the sale alongside most rural communities and said that Australia needed to look to the US where there are large-scale conglomerates that are able to diversify across the different rural industries and have sustainable, long-term investment. “We’ve just sent a massive signal that Australia is not interested in becoming the food bowl of Asia,” Mr Howes said. “We’re not going to take advantage of the growing Asian middle class. We’re not going to transform our sectors. “We’re going to be beholden to special interests, old Agrarian socialists in one part of the community that are resistant to change, change that actually in the long term would benefit those communities. “It essentially means

the day of ma and pa farming in Australia needs to end. “We need to have a transformation. “We need large-scale diversified companies operating in this sector and too often we see smaller companies going through boom and bust cycles because they are concentrated into one sector of the economy,” he said. The Victorian Farmers’ Federation (VFF), the NSW Farmers’ and the Federal Member for Murray, Sharman Stone all welcomed the decision to prohibit the takeover and all were vocal on the reasons why the takeover should not take place. All three cited that any takeover from ADM would deliver very little new investment as it would simply give over Australia’s essential ports and other grain network infrastructure into foreign hands. While the rural sector is not opposed to investment, the general consensus is that ADM is not a good match for GrainCorp with one of the major concerns being that grower margins will further erode.

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Page 28, North East Farmer

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Australian delegates travel to Europe for chestnut congress By SIMON CRASE

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A GROUP of 15 Australian delegates travelled to Debrecen, Hungary to attend the II European Congress on Chestnut from October 9-12, 2013. The Australian delegation was made up of nine people from North EastVictoria, the remainder from Tumbarumba, Canberra, and North Dandenong. The congress combined the resources of chestnut researchers from Hungary, Romania and Slovakia. The congress was two days of lectures relating to the latest studies in the chestnut industry, ranging from a two million EU project in Greece on Chestnut Blight, to a 20,000 EU project in Switzerland relating to new Phytophthora resilient root stocks. The studies also reported on subjects such as research into DNA profiling of varieties and new successful propagation methods. There were field trips to all three countries. Australian delegate, local Stanley chestnut grower David McIntyre gave a presentation on the Eradication Response to the Incursion of Chestnut Blight inAustralia.

TRAVELLING CHESTNUTS: Australian tour group outside the Clement Faugier chestnut transforming factory, Privas, France, with Stanley’s David McIntyre (back, third left) who gave a presentation at II European Congress on Chestnut.

Mr McIntyre was asked by the chestnut industry to join the Blight Coordination Committee here in Australia in 2010 after the discovery in the upper Ovens Valley of this exotic disease, and he is also the media representative on the issue. Mr McIntyre also had this timely message to chestnut growers back in Australia. “To ensure we are successful at getting rid of Blight, I implore all growers to have a really close look at their trees and report anything that could even be remotely Chestnut Blight,” he said. “Eradication of a very

light infection at this point will require minimum inconvenience and expense and will ensure that the huge effort and money put into this program is justified. “A reminder about biosecurity again: allow nothing in your orchard unless you know for sure it is clean. “That is people, vehicles, all equipment, nursery stock and graft wood.” The group then spent a further week in the South of France in the Ardeche region where they were immersed in the culture of ‘chataigne’ (chestnuts). TheArdeche is the ‘mecca’ for all things chestnut. Transforming factories were visited that produce

puree, cooked whole nuts in glass jars and vacuum packed, marrons glace, biscuits, beer and liqueur. The history of chestnuts in Europe goes back thousands of years, and their culture is deeply ingrained, so chestnut products can be readily purchased at supermarkets, bakeries and produce stores. Something that Australian chestnut transformers would like to see replicated in Australia. Jane Casey from Australian Gourmet Chestnuts organised the trip through her many contacts in Europe. Ms Casey was able to source matching funds for some of the participants through Horticulture Australia and the Australian Government, organising the entire tour and activities. Growers are reminded there is an exciting field day and season launch planned for February 8, 2014, at Beechworth, where a special presentation will be given on biosecurity ‘protecting our groves’. Discussions will centre on local and international threats. For more information visit www.chestnutsaustralia.com.au.

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FIRE AWARENESS & PREVENTION

January 2014

Water transfer pump designed for farmers WILDFIRE GRADUATES: A group of year 12 students from Mansfield Secondary

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WITH drought conditions continuing across parts of Australia, the need for reliable, fuel-efficient water transfer pumps is essential. Australian Pump Industries (Aussie Pumps) has designed the Aussie Quick-Prime QP402 for high flow transfer, offering flows of up to 1800 litres per minute and heads of up to 28 metres. The pumps will self-prime from an 8.4 metre direct lift, which enables suction from dams, wells and creeks. According to Aussie Pumps’ Adam Scully, recent on-farm tests demonstrated the pump priming from a three metre lift in less than 30 seconds. The QP402 is designed for highflow transfer,” Mr Scully said. “Even a small amount of rain can overflow a turkey nest dam really quickly. “This big pump can transfer the water across fast, preventing overspill and wastage,” he said. Mr Scully added that during times of drought and intermittent rainfall it is important to monitor the quality of water retained. “Evaporation may increase the concentration of salts, while a flush of water may increase manure or fertiliser runoff making it unusable

DROUGHT BUSTER: Hamish Lorenz from Fiddletown, NSW uses the big Aussie QP402 to shift water from dam to dam with minimum fuel costs.

for stock watering,” he said. “It may be necessary to transfer the water for stock use directly from a tank or water tanker. “The QP402 is a high flow pump that can be used to draught water from a farm water source or tanker.” Powered by a genuine Honda petrol engine, the pump offers farmers low fuel consumption and maximum pump performance.

Options include eight horsepower up to 13 horsepower versions with recoil or electric start. The QP402 can be used for fast fill tanker applications, tanker batter spray, flood irrigation and dewatering. Other on-farm applications include dust suppression and wash and flush stock crate clean-out. For more information visit www.aussiepumps.com.au.

DEPI warns on the unusual things that start fires

FOUR

WHAT do ferreting, solar powered garden lights, duck manure and windmills all have in common? You are probably thinking farms, rural Victoria and possibly gardening, but according to the Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) all were listed as causes of bushfires in the past fire season. DEPI Horsham Wimmera District fire manager Russell Manning said while lightning, campfires, machinery and arson were the more common causes of fires there are other lesser known factors to consider and watch out for. “Last year in the Wimmera district DEPI and the Country Fire Authority put out fires started through spontaneous combustion of duck poo, from children ferreting and from birds flying into power lines,” Mr Manning said. “We also had two fires start from rideon lawnmowers, one from a car exhaust

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and one even from a windmill on a very windy day. “There were also fires started by an electric fence and by solar lights in driveways either overheating or malfunctioning, which is probably now what you would expect,” he said. Mr Manning said that as a community we can all work together to help minimise the risks by understanding all the many things that can start fires. The 2012-2013 fire season was very, busy with 4400 bush and grass fires across Victoria and 50 houses lost as 190,000 hectares of public and private land was burnt. Mr Manning said that the 2013-2014 season is also shaping up to be above average. “At a state level, the number of fires attended by DEPI was more than a third above the 30-year average and the area burnt across Victoria was about 20 per cent above the 30-year average,” he said.

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NEW SKILLS: Firefighting recruits go through their paces at a Myrtleford training camp, preparing themselves to assist permanent crews with fire suppression and prevention works.

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week when the Tarrawingee and Wangaratta communities commemorate the seventieth anniversary of a grassfire that in two hours became a deadly conflagration. The names in the stone are set in lead: Kevin Dunkley, Andrew Guthrie, Claude Hill, Theodore Lea, John Marks, Joseph (Louis) Ryan, Norman Robinson, Edward Seymour, Godfrey Spencer and Arthur Wellington. ‘Duty nobly done’, reads the legend. “Two of them were 14-year-old boys,” says Graeme. “Apart from Andrew Guthrie who managed Miss Coffey’s nearby farm, almost all of them had come out from Wangaratta to help. “Not one of them owned property here – they simply came to help we farmers and paid the ultimate price.” The fire sprang up near Bowser railway station west of Tarrawingee at about 4.30pm. The late Ken Stewart recalled in his memoirs

that the front was “held on a sheep track for a while with only beaters made with strips of canvas or leather secured to a cane handle, or bushes pulled up from near a tree”. “It eventually beat us and when it got out… onto dry grasslands the fire took off across the paddocks towards Tarrawingee,” Mr Stewart wrote. Graeme says that manpower was short – the fire occurred at the turning point of World War II and most able-bodied men from Tarrawingee and Wangaratta not in reserved occupations were overseas or enlisted – and so eight townsmen came to try help these farmers to contain the escalating blaze. Among them were a slaughterman, teacher and three telephone linesmen. Some had come to the

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fire by truck and others on bicycles. By about 6.30pm five of them were dead in the field, including the two boys, Kevin Dunkley and Claude Hill, near the intersection of Petticoat Lane and Great Alpine Road. Five later died in hospital from their burns. Seventy years on they were remembered at a service at the memorial on December 22, 2013 led by Country Fire Authority chief officer Euan Ferguson and victims’ relatives and descendants. The hour-long commemoration which was open to the public was also attended by Rural City of Wangaratta chair-administrator Ailsa Fox, CFA group officer John Barnard and local brigades. The memorial, unveiled in 1944, was raised by public subscription.

SEVENTY YEARS ON: Tarrawingee bushfire brigade chairman Graeme Norman at the firefighters’ memorial. PHOTO: Jamie Kronborg

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FARMER and bushfire brigade chairman Graeme Norman doesn’t know who affixed a small toy fire truck to a granite ledge on the Tarrawingee bushfire memorial obelisk. But there it is, parked on the grey and white and black-flecked stone – weather-beaten, its red duco scratched and scraped and in some places altogether worn away, the two small emergency beacons on its roof bleached white by the sun. In its ordinariness the toy is as powerful as the memorial itself – and there is something reassuring about signs of life on the roughly- faced granite: a spider has used the little truck to anchor its fresh web. Below it, the pedestal or ‘die’ stone – one of five blocks with which the obelisk was built – is girt with artificial flowers, a mark of almost perpetual recognition of the 10 lives lost nearby in a firestorm that savaged this small community east of Wangaratta on Wednesday, December 22, 1943. But it is the stone that will endure, as Graeme says – the flowers will be removed and new wreathes will replace them in little more than a

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NEW firefighting recruits from the Department of Environment and Primary Industries were put through their paces recently at a training camp near Myrtleford. During the week-long camp the 40 project firefighters covered topics including fire suppression, fire behavior, map reading, fireground communications and safety. DEPI Hume fire training and capability manager, Lisa North, said the annual training camps provide firefighters with a good mix of classroom and field based learning. “The week was all about learning the theory and practical skills, then testing everything in the field,” she said. “The recruits also got to meet and work alongside experienced firefighters and gain an understanding of what it’s like on the fire-line. “This is the third training camp which has been held in the Hume Region during the past month to ensure our new firefighters are ready for the summer fire season.” At the completion of the camps, the project firefighters return to their work centres to undertake additional training and accreditation, including four-wheel driving and managing dangerous trees. They then assist DEPI’s permanent crews to undertake priority works including fire suppression, planned burning, track clearing and slashing. Each year, DEPI recruits seasonal project firefighters to assist with bushfire suppression and prevention during the warmer months of the year.

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January 2014

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ONE of Australia’s oldest Merino studs has just celebrated its 150th year of sheep breeding. Mulwala was among the first registered studs in the Riverina and has survived dingoes, drought, floods, wayward shearers and crook cooks to reach the milestone, making it unique in the Australian Merino industry. Celebrations were held on the historic Riverina station, Savernake, owned by Alex and Ann Sloane and Helen Huggins, where a commemorative plaque was unveiled at the woolshed to mark the foundation of the stud by the Sloane family in 1863. A comprehensive display of historical documents and photographs were on display in the station’s 100-year-old, six stand, drop plank construction wool shed. At its peak, Savernake Station covered more than 20,000 hectares and carried up to 40,000 sheep. It was founded in 1863 when Alexander Sloane purchased 1200 joined ewes from Tubbo Station at Darlington Point. The sheep were walked from Tubbo to Savernake

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS: Keith and Alex Sloane and Helen Huggins (nee Sloane) celebrate the Mulwala Merino stud’s 150th anniversary.

– an unfenced station staffed by shepherds who were employed to guard the flock from dingo attacks. Drought in 1864 forced the Sloane family to purchase neighboring Mulwala Station, with its Murray River frontage, giving the stud its name. By 1924, Mulwala was joining 6000 ewes and the Riverina had become the heartland of Merino sheep breeding, with more than 200,000 stud ewes and 35,000 rams sold each year. In later years, Mulwala was sold to the Huggins

family with the stud name changed to Woodpark and run as a closed flock on pure Peppin blood. In 1976, the Huggins family enabled the name Mulwala to be returned to Savernake. The stud has been owned and managed by Helen Huggins (nee Sloane) since 2004, and run on Savernake Station, now listed by the NSW Heritage Council. Helen Huggins sells about 25-50 rams per year, mainly into Victoria, and hopes the next generation will continue with the Mulwala stud.

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North East Farmer, Page 33

Adventure turns into family pride FARMER TO FARMER Annick Butterfield

family of nine. Strangely, it didn’t occur to us that we were just two city people who didn’t have the seven pairs of hands that went with the seven pairs of gumboots that did all the work. So we dived headlong into the biggest adventure (or should I say misadventure)of our lives. No doubt we provided much amusement to the good people of Warrenbayne as we attempted to master the many skills required to be dairy farmers. For the first nine years we milked up to 120 cows here. For the past 13, we have been developing the Prime Angus beef and

seedstock business. Tell us about your family. Peter and I have been married for 26 years. He is a very patient and tolerant man. He is also meticulous and methodical - character traits very suited to farming. I just want things done yesterday, not so suited to farming. I could have taken up a job in town, but I made the decision early on that the things Peter and I achieved together meant more to me than those I achieved on my own. So like many of the farming women I know, I have never been the “farmer’s wife”. This has always been

Family business with over 30 years experience

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our business. Whether Peter is inseminating cows, vaccinating calves or mending fences, that’s where I’ll be. No doubt there have been many times he has wished his right hand man was a man, but somehow we have made it work. Our different skills complement each other very well, most of the time. There are downsides to having two bosses. We do argue a lot about farming matters (I’m usually right) and the house is never as clean as I would like. The garden often has an abandoned look about it, I’ve never learned to bake, and meals are usually put together in half an hour. But since no one in this household is complaining about the apparent lack of a homemaker, I try not to worry about those things too much. Our pride and joy is our 14 year-old daughter, Lily. She is wise beyond her years, helps out with feeding bulls, is always on hand on sale day, updates the website, gives technical advice for our catalogue and generally does anything that requires more than basic computer literacy. We’d be lost without her. Best advice or farming tip you have received? A very wise farmer once told us, “ If you don’t use fertiliser and lime your pastures, you’ll never succeed at farming and you may as well get a

job in town.” I guess he was right. This small parcel of land has supported us for 21 years and we don’t have a job in town. Describe your perfect day. Sometime towards the end of March when we’ve had several inches of rain, the countryside has transformed into fluorescent green and new calves are everywhere. And then we can sit on the verandah with a cool drink watching another spectacular Warrenbayne sunset. What is the best thing about being a farmer? For me it is getting to live and work in this incredibly beautiful place with the people I love most, to create something the three of us can be proud of. What is the worst thing about being a farmer? We make a living in an environment where so many things that impact our viability (rainfall, commodity prices, the value of the dollar, government policies etc.), are beyond our control. In addition, as small producers would know, trying to compete efficiently in the marketplace is also a challenge. If you could be someone else for a day, who would that be and why? I would be an independently wealthy version of myself who could spend my day sailing around the Italian Riviera.

I’d give directions from a deck chair and someone else would do the work. More importantly, for one day, I would love to have the ear of a politician who could

make a difference. I would open their eyes to the damaging, long-term consequences of failing to support our rural, in particular food production, industries.

John Houghton’s

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GIVE our readers a quick snapshot of your farm at Warrenbayne. Peter and I farm 434 acres in the Warrenbayne valley, 23km south east of Benalla. We run about 140 herd book registered Angus breeders and 30 replacement heifers. We sell up to 40 yearling bulls in an on-property Helmsman auction in February each year, as well as steers and females at varying ages depending on the season. For a long time we were a little bit on the fringe, selling 12 month old bulls. Now several high profile studs are including yearlings in their sale line ups, which is great for us. Our labor force consists of Peter, myself and our 14 year old daughter. It is a fairly intensively managed small business using rotational grazing. We are usually blessed with a long growing season, so despite its size, it is quite self-sufficient. We try not to rely on feed that we have bought in, so we make between 400 and 500 rolls of silage each spring and usually some hay. How long have you been a farmer? Seven pairs of gumboots greeted us on the verandah on a September day when we first inspected Glenwellyn, then a dairy farm, in 1992. How clever we thought we were. We had found a small farm that supported a

0407 303 691 0435 803 979 (03) 5722 1400

- By Locals - For Locals

Elders Insurance Wangaratta (03) 5722 1400

24 Rowan Street WANGARATTA 3676

NEW S ER OWNLLENS

U OF C LIZERS I FERT ROA EU

T/12D12198/49-13

More than just fertilizer Cost effective hay and grain carting locally or to Port Modern fleet of trucks, public weighbridge Professional Service Assured

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82 Roe Street, Benalla. Email: office@bbfertilizers.com Fax: 5762 4366

W AVA I L A B L E SEASONAL DISCOUNTS NO

yourFUTURE Quality built storage for Australian conditions.

T: (02) 6029 4700 | www.kotzur.com

PELLET SILO

FERTILISER SILO

FEED YOUR STOCK

FEED YOUR GROUND

t/12d12289/02-14

PROTECTING

NEWS

Page 34, North East Farmer

Country shows DQG Âż HOG days JANUARY 19-23: International Dairy Week, Tatura 28 January - 5 February: Beef Week 2014 FEBRUARY 12-14: Sungold Field Days, Allansford 14-16: Seymour Alternative Farming Expo, Seymour 19: Meat Profit Day, Hamilton 21-23: Royal Canberra Show 22-23: Rochester Agricultural Show, Rochester 28-March 1: Deniliquin Show MARCH 1: Corryong & Upper Murray Show 8: Tallangatta Agricultural Show 22: Tatura & Goulburn Valley Show 29: Wodonga Annual Show For more information on country shows visit www.vicagshows. com.au or www.countryshows. com.au.

January 2014

Funding for farm modernisation ment Simon Birmingham said the infrastructure upgrades will help irrigators increase on-farm productivity and improve onfarm efďŹ ciency. “Optimising irrigation water use and efďŹ ciency is key to strengthening the economic base and viability of local communities in the Goulburn Murray district,â€? Mr Birmingham said. “It is an important part of implementing the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and a priority of the Abbott government.

THE ďŹ rst round of funding from the $100 million Victorian Farm Modernisation Project is now available, with about 140 Goulburn Murray farmers set to replace inefďŹ cient infrastructure. The funding agreement, which has been signed between the Commonwealth and State Government, makes $30 million available for the ďŹ rst stage of the project. Parliamentary secretary to the minister for the environ-

“This project illustrates the Commonwealth Government’s commitment to implementing the Basin plan on time and in full, while balancing the needs of industry, communities and the environment. “Over the next four years almost $3 billion is forecast to be spent on rural water use and infrastructure projects like this across the Murray Darling Basin,� he said. Overall, the Victorian Farm Modernisation Project will

result in 30 gigalitres of water being transferred to the Commonwealth for environmental use. The remainder of the water savings will be held by participating farmers to increase productivity. Victorian minister for water Peter Walsh said the project demonstrated that water recovery could be achieved without undermining valuable farm businesses. “Victoria’s support of the

Murray Darling Basin Plan was contingent on the inclusion of infrastructure works and irrigation modernisation projects because we recognised that by being smarter about water use, it is possible to balance the needs of irrigation communities and the environment,� Mr Walsh said. “A strong number of expressions of interest have been received from Goulburn Murray farmers for stage one and we expect similar interest in subsequent rounds,� he said.

:KDWœV RQ LQ WKH 1RUWK (DVW DQG *RXOEXUQ 9DOOH\ UHJLRQ *THE Department of Environment and Primary Industries together with North East Catchment Management Authority, Riverine Plains Inc, GMHAgCare and Rotary are hosting a post-harvest BBQ on Tuesday, January 16, 2014 to be held at Campbell’s Winery starting at 6.30pm. Producers and their families in the Rutherglen and Yarrawonga region are invited to the informal evening which will allow producers to debrief the season and highlight the services that are available to them. For more information contact Lachlan Campbell on (02) 6043 7672. * THOSE interested in attending the Anzac 100 year anniversary at Gallipoli in Turkey on April 25, 2015 must apply via a Federal Government ballot. The ballot of 3000 double

passes will be available to all Australians who are 18 years of age and are Australian citizens or permanent residents. If selected in the ballot you must make all arrangements for your own travel and cover all costs for flights, accommodation, transport and travel insurance. The ballot opened on Friday, November 1, 2013 and will close on Friday, January 31, 2014. * MEMBERS of the Warrangong Heritage Collection Inc are staging a vintage harvest day on-farm on Sunday, February 9, 2014 at Pleasant Hills. The vintage harvest day will feature an array of restored and working harvesters, winnowers, threshers, strippers, binders, chaff cutters and tractors. The collection ranges from a horse-drawn 1907 Sunshine

harvester with a six foot comb to a CLAAS 79 and a fully restored US manufactured Cockshutt. Gates open at 8am and entry is $15 for adults, $5 for secondary school children or $40 for a family. Stalls, souvenirs, food and drink will be available. For more information contact Jan Pietsch on (02) 6929 6431. *THE Australian Grains Industry Conference is expanding offshore and will be holding its first overseas event in Singapore on Monday, March 10 2014. AGIC Singapore 2014 will be held in addition to the annual conference in Australia and will be a one-day seminar with presentations from high calibre presenters and interactive panel sessions, followed by a cocktail networking function. The Singapore program will

have a focus on wheat, feed grains and canola, providing access to the latest information on crop outlooks, quality profiles, innovations and trends. For more information and to register visit www. ausgrainsconf.com/singapore. * THE Grains Research and Development Corporation is funding a two-day Resilient Grain Leaders workshop in the southern cropping region to assist in the development of highly skilled grains industry leaders. The workshop to be held in Bendigo on Thursday, March 13 and Friday, March 14, 2014 has limited places and is one of three being held nationally. To be eligible to participate in the workshop applicants must be working and engaged in the grains industry, have a long-term vision for the grains industry and

be willing to commit to activities before, during and after the workshop. Participants will be selected via a shortlisting process based on the eligibility criteria and information submitted. Applications are now open and will close at 8.30am on Monday, December 9, 2013. For more information visit www.ruraldirections.com/rgl. *The 19th Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show will take place from Wednesday, March 26 to Sunday, March 30, 2014 at the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens in Melbourne. The five day event will feature world class landscape designs and floral exhibits and tickets can be purchased through the RACV at www. racv.com.au/travel or RACV HolidayLine on 131 329.

e are Maryvale Lim alers e d r fo g in k loo

so contact us today

Maryvale Lime is renowned for being one of the highest quality Ag Limes in Victoria. Originating from the Australian Paper Manufacturing in Maryvale, its production process allows for repeatable and predictable high quality ďŹ ne ground limestone for years to come.

TYPICAL ANALYSIS Calcium Carbonate Equivalent Calcium Magnesium Carbonate Equivalent

CaCo3

102.75%

Ca

41.1%

MgCo3

0.89%

Neutralising Value NV Calculated

103.8%

Effective Neutralising Value - ENV

98.82%

Moisture

12%

Nitrogen

ppm

448

Phosphorus

ppm

4840

Potassium

Due to its high level of calcium and superior neutralising value, this quality lime is a perfect soil conditioner that will help reduce your soil acidity and will provide your soil with the calcium that it requires.

Sulphur

By applying Maryvale Lime, availability of essential plant nutrients is increased and improvements in plant health and growth are continually achieved.

>, (9, /,9,

0.0619% ppm

Sodium

0.104 0.834%

Manganese

ppm

65

Zinc

ppm

8.69

Copper

ppm

2.22

Cobalt

ppm

0.3

Boron

ppm

4.37

Molybdenum

ppm

Magnesium

0.138 0.253%

Cadmium

ppm

Nill

Lead

ppm

Nill

Mercury

ppm

Nill

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PUBLIC NOTICES

Classifieds Phone (03) 5723 0100

WANTED TO BUY

FOR SALE

WANTED

POLY RAINWATER TANKS

Wangaratta Associated Stock Agents

Phone 0409 570 989 or (03) 5480 1234

Going cheap! 2500L slim $710, cartage 650L, $525, 2000L round $450, 3000L $575, 5000L $875, 10,000L $1520, 5000 gallon $2175. All include delivery, taps, strainer and GST. 10 year guarantee - Border Poly. Phone Mick on 0427 341 417 or Phil 0429 128 061.

TRADES AND SERVICES

TRADES AND SERVICES

Wangaratta Monthly Store Cattle Sale Friday, January 17, 2013

Good quality tractors and farm machinery. All makes and models. CASH PAID. Tractors for wrecking

(held third Friday of each month)

For further information contact your local representative

Tree trimming, shaping, mulching and removal - Forestry Mulcher Qualified Arborists Professional Service at a practical price FREE QUOTE PHONE STEVE

High proďŹ t and easy care cattle Robert, Jacci & Tony Campbell and family Caniambo, Vic (midway between Benalla and Shepparton) www.campbellfarms.com.au

Z Vineyard removal Z Re-working Z Other fruit/trellis removal

Tom 0428 443 263

Ph (03) 5721 4419 mobile 0428 574 195 1 WENHAMS LANE, WANGARATTA

www.vinesight.com.au

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Same day repairs & servicing Regular maintenance schedules

* Excavator hire * Bobcat hire * Tipper * Grader & Roller

All makes and models of motorcycles & ATVs

PHONE STEVE

S/12d11921/3013

Hassle free

We come to you!

Drainage, site preparations, post holes, trenches, driveways, forestry mulcher etc 5798 5412

Mob: 0437 662 177 (Tony)

MOBILE MOTORCYCLE MECHANIC

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Chris 0422 840 008 cjaonfarmservice@gmail.com

FLY OR LICE PROBLEM? The magic eye sheepjetter since 1989

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1800 146 892

dipping@electrodip.co.nz - www.electrodip.com

ECS

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East Coast Stockfeeds

Peter Baldi on 0459 200 666 or (02) 9525 2522 www.eastcoaststockfeeds.com.au

Haygrowers Pty Ltd

Hay For Sale

Receiving orders for * Clover * Vetch * Medic * Lucerne * Rye * Cereal Hay Direct from growers Feedlist www.haygrowers.net.au Phone Dean

0407 618 143

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CITRUS PEEL

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Ph/Fax 58289274

PAUL WILLIAMS - CHESHIRE & WILLIAMS REPAIRS P/L

5798 5412

Featuring ... Ĺ– +PETGFKDNG EJGOKECN GEQPQO[ Ĺ– #OC\KPI GCUG RGT JQWT Ĺ– 7PKSWG UGNH CFLWUVKPI UKFGU Ĺ– 'PXKTQPOGPVCNN[ CPF WUGT HTKGPFN[

LOWEST PRICES

New Holland Baler parts * Tractors * Diesel * Baler * Hay machinery mechanic. Service & repairs all makes of tractors, agricultural, industrial, earthmoving machinery Over 30 years experience, factory trained. Specialising in Ford New Holland

TREE & STUMP REMOVAL

0407 566 357

STUD DIRECTORY

MOBILE REPAIRS

WRIGHT OUT

0407 566 357

North East Farmer, Page 35

Enquiries Phone (03) 5764 1296 Mobile 0428 641 296, 0437 684 786

www.vortexws.com.au

weareonline!

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That’s not normal....Peroneus tertius rupture. TUESDAY "KING VALLEY RUN" THURSDAY "BEECHWORTH, MYRTLEFORD RUN" PRE-BOOKED VETERINARY WORK

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32 WARBY STREET, WANGARATTA

PHONE 5721 7177

NEWSLETTERS ONLINE

Would you like to receive our quarterly newsletter via email? If so, fill out the form below and drop it in to us at Warby Street (or fill out one at reception). Name: .................................................................................................... Postal Address:....................................................................................... .............................................................................................................. Email: ....................................................................................................

t/12d12235/02-14

Dr. Graeme S. Blanch B.Ag.Sc., B.V.Sc. (Hons) M.A.C.V.Sc. Dr. Andrew Bett B.Ag. Sc. (Hons) B.V.Sc. Dr. Richard Evans B.V.Sc. M.R.C.V.S. Dr. Rena Geroe B.V.Sc. Dr. Tim Craig B.V.Sc. (Hons) Dr. Sarah Cavill, B.V.Sc. (Hons)

The peroneus tertius is a tendinius muscle that is part of the reciprocal apparatus of the equine hindlimb. Together with other structures it acts to keep the hock in flexion when the stifle is flexed, and vice versa in extension. This allows the hock to flex and swing through with each stride. It is also part of the ‘stay’ apparatus which allows the horse to lock a limb in extension which is required for sleep. Rupture of this muscle is generally traumatic, and can happen when the hock is hyperextended. This can occur as a jumping injury if caught on a fence cross country, slipping and going down, or in a foal during a difficult foaling. The classic sign of peroneus tertius rupture is a horse that can have the stifle in flexion and hock in extension at the same time. This is not possible in a normal horse. Once the inflammation from the initial trauma settles down, it is not a painful condition. It does however cause a functional lameness caused by the hock not flexing as the limb swings through with each stride. In some cases scar tissue can form over 3-12 months and create a functional reciprocal apparatus once more. There is no treatment aside from rest and antiinflammatories in the initial stages. Dr Sarah Cavill

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