North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer by Provincial Press Group

NORTH EAST AND GOULBURN MURRAY

Part of the Farmer Group Rural Newspapers Covering Victoria Published since 1986

APRIL, 2018

CLONING BRAHMANS FOR QUALITY

www.farmernews.com.au

TALLANGATTA EXPO PAGE 7

SEEDS, FERTILISERS AND PASTURE

PAGES 12-13

PAGES 18-20

Berry delicious

Couple’s challenging journey to become a chemical free berry farm

HARVEST: Nina and Andrew Meiers have planted more than 15,000 strawberries at their Barjarg farm, and they plan to plant another 15,000, hoping to become reliable producers of organic blueberries and raspberries.

IN 2016, Nina and Andrew Meiers planted 3500 blueberries, 15,000 strawberries and 600 raspberry canes at their new farm in Barjarg - their hearts set on establishing an organic farm. It has not been an easy road – frosts decimated the blueberries in 2017, in December their greenhouse roof was ripped apart by wind and half the raspberry crop was lost, and then there was trouble with finding a commercial market. But despite the setbacks, the hard work and the heartache, going into the berry business has been the best decision the Meiers ever made. Bimbimbi Berry Delicious was the culmination of extensive market research and a lifelong dream. “We knew we wanted to live in the country, but were very specific about what we wanted,” Nina explained. Finding 30 acres just outside of Mansfield, with vast views across Lake Nillahcootie, the pair staked it all on their adventurous project. Long term, the vision is to be a productive, chemical free berry farm with a focus on blueberries. Short term, the Meiers are keyed in on getting strawberries out of the ground and onto the table.

“Simply put, you’re much more hands-on with the whole growing process, monitoring plant health, when you are chemical free,” Andrew said. “We decided early on we would do everything without chemicals, and no soil fumigation “Finding organic fertiliser isn’t easy either, but now that we have found the right supplier we have developed a very comprehensive plan for all types of crops we might grow.” The payoff is a Bimbimbi Farm strawberry tastes like a traditional strawberry should – rich, juicy and with a lingering sweetness. Handpicked every morning, Nina has found selling through her Facebook page surprisingly successful, and found the official farmers markets run through the Victorian Farmers Markets Association to be the best place to sell produce. “I can’t believe how many people want to buy them, and are willing to pay that little bit extra for organic fruit,” she said. “Because they’re eating fruit that is less than 24 hours from picking to consuming, the tastes like it should.” Strawberries have three flushes of fruit – spring, autumn and at Christmas.

BY RHYLL McCORMACK rmccormack@ nemedia.com.au

15,000 feels like a lot of plants when you are out there at 6am picking. NINA MEIERS, BARJARG’S FIRST ORGANIC BERRY FARMER “After planting, it takes about 12 weeks and you then have something to sell,” Andrew explained. “Blueberries will be our key business, but they can take up to three years to produce – so putting in strawberries is a good short term investment strategy.” One of the challenges that became immediately apparent to the Meiers was the decision to go chemical free. All berries need a certain kind of soil type – Nina points out wryly that strawberries and blueberries need almost the opposite in soil nutrition, just to make it harder – but to keep an organic approach to farming sends prices rocketing.

Continued page 4

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April 2018

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HEREFORD vendors pocketed an extra $50 a head for their steers above other British breeds in a stellar 78th annual Mountain Calf Sales, held last month across Victoria’s far flung mountain country. Held at Benambra, Ensay and Omeo on March 13-14, the Mountain Calf Sales yarded a total of 8504 cattle to average $703. Autumn drop whiteface steer prices peaked at Omeo at $1390. Going into the sales, dry seasonal conditions and a softening cattle market had created nerves for vendors. The majority of calves had been weaned early and either supplemented or run on river flats. Vendors agreed last year was an historic high unlikely to be repeated, and rounded their expectations down generally by $200$300, or similar to 2016 prices.

Covering North East Victoria, Southern New South Wales and Goulburn Murray Valleys 37 Rowan Street,Wangaratta Victoria, 3677

Phone (03) 5723 0100 Email: nefarmer@nemedia.com.au Website: farmernews.com.au Advertising: Michael Kidman Manager Phone (03) 5731 3306 Mobile 0409 841 954 mkidman@nemedia.com.au Senior Journalist

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sale yarded 3808 cattle for an overall average of $877, a $957 steer average and $766 for the heifers. Autumn drop Angus steers topped at $1160 while whiteface vendors were well in front with a 2018 top price of $1390. The vast majority of backgrounders had set their budgets on a dollars per head basis with the orders centring around lighter steers at $800-$900 and better quality types for lot feeding at $950-$1050. As Morgan Davies, Elders Bairnsdale, said, “throw the calculator away on the lighter cattle as it will scare you”. The Mountain Calf Sales are one of the few sales where large runs of European Union accredited whiteface cattle can be sourced.

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FARMERS across Victoria’s south west are now faced with a devastating climb back to production. More than 10 properties were completely destroyed in bushfires that burned late last month out of Warrnambool, some 40,000 hectares razed. With dairy cows either killed, maimed or left un-milked for more than 72 hours, farmers are now looking for support from the Government as they face an uncertain future. Victorian Farmers Federation presi-

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ary weaner sales. The whiteface offering hit its peak when 1143 Hereford and Hereford cross steers and heifers were sold at Ensay on March 14 for an overall average of $962. The sale averaged $1014 for steers and $763 for heifers. This outpaced the steer average at the Omeo Angus sale on March 13 by $56 and the overall sale average by a stellar $85. The overall average for the Elders Benambra Weaner Sale was $910, with steers averaging $975 and heifers $767. A total of 1143 mixed sex whiteface cattle were yarded at Ensay to average $962, with steers averaging $1014 and heifers $763. The final leg at Omeo yarded 2077 head to average $926 with steers at $984. In comparison, Omeo’s Angus

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But, a shortage of cattle combined with the low Australian dollar and widespread rain in northern Australia resulted in a moderate windfall for the Victorian High Country producers at the two-day event. Repeat steer finishers did not hold back when it came to bidding on the heavy end. Typical of those was one Victorian fattener, who outlaid $1400 for Barry and Topsy Newcomen’s autumn drop steers in 2016, and sold them last June over-the-hooks to average $2508 at 776kg liveweight. He was quick to reinvest, buying the opening pens at the Ensay sale for $1360 and $1260 to grass finish over winter. Producers offered 509 more calves this year across the sales circuit, despite some vendors electing to sell earlier at the Janu-

POTTED TREES

Published by Hartley Higgins for North East Media Pty Ltd, 37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta 3677. Responsibility for election comment is accepted by Editor Jeff Zeuschner. Copyright: All advertising and editorial content of this issue is the copyright of North East Media Pty Ltd and cannot be used without the company’s permission.

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CATTLEMAN: Ron Connley, Omeo, sold his Hereford weaners to a top of $1020. All photos and information courtesy HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA

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NEWS

April 2018

North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer, Page 3

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Goat no longer rising

BEST IN SHOW: This progeny of Millah Murrah Kingdom K35 fetched the highest price of $12,000 at the Witherswood Angus bull sale at Taminick last Tuesday. PHOTOS: Rod North

Witherswood Angus sells 62 bulls with a top of $12,000

below year-ago levels since November and is expected to ease over the next few months. Australian goatmeat exports for February were 23 per cent lower year-on-year, on the back of lower supply, totalling 2431 tonnes shipped weight (swt). Shipments to the US, Australia’s largest goatmeat export market, accounted for 70 per cent of the February total, at 1710 tonnes swt – down 32 per cent on 2017 levels. February shipments to Taiwan, the second largest market for Australian goatmeat, increased by 41 per cent year-on-year to 334 tonnes swt. Volumes to Canada and Trinidad and Tobago declined 31 per cent and 17 per cent, respectively.

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“We were delighted with the results on the day,” Mr Woodruff said. “After all the hard work of building a leading Angus Stud in the past 20 years it is a very worthwhile experience to see some terrific prices paid for our genetics. “We were especially pleased with the amount of local buyers in today’s auction, as we are always pleased to see our cattle go to our local clients, who have always supported us strongly. “All the cattle sold will have a good home and they will show up at local sales in the next few years. “They will further enhance the quality of the North East beef herd which is one of the benefits of investing in good bulls and females.

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“Our top bull for the day went locally to Calview Pastoral in Laceby, and another local buyer Ross Carrington purchased nine bulls. “The weather was perfect and we had an excellent turnout to create a great atmosphere and provide plenty of competitive bidding for our sought after bulls.” Witherswood Angus is part of a consortium that is the owner of Millah Murrah Kingdom K35, purchased for an Australian Angus record of $150,000 in September 2015. The stud consortium also purchased Millah Murrah Klooney K42 for $80,000, the fifth highest ever recorded for an Australian Angus bull. For more information visit http://www.witherswoodangus.com.au/.

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THE rise in the quality of the North East beef herd looks set to continue after last Tuesday’s Witherswood Angus stud sale. A 200 strong crowd, including many local buyers, turned out for the sale at the Taminick property, which is home to Australia’s most expensive Angus bull. Some impressive results were recorded including a top price of $12,000. Bidding was brisk and fast from some of the leading Angus breeders from locally and around the country keen to seize on the opportunity to purchase a bull with superior genetics and benefit from the ‘Witherswood Method’ and their over 20 years’ experience in the game. Some of the local buyers included Seven Creeks Estate, Euroa, purchasing nine lots, and a new buyer for Witherswood, Hopkins River Beef, Dunkeld, who purchased four lots with others from Greta, Myrtleford and Wangaratta. Top sale for the day was lot 25 which proved it was a “chip off the old block” of its sire, Millah Murrah Kingdom K35. The average price was a creditable $5274, as 62 of 68 bulls were sold. John Woodruff of Witherswood Angus couldn’t have been happier with the sale.

AFTER almost four years on a steady upwards trajectory, over-the-hook (OTH) goat indicators found a new level in October last year. Since then, they have remained relatively stable, averaging 468¢/kg carcase weight (cwt) late last month. This price correction was a result of the increasing Australian dollar, which averaged almost US80¢ in September 2017, as well as the increasing availability of other small stock, and the temporary and permanent closures of some processing plants. Eastern states goat slaughter was just over 152,000 head in February, and while this is 18 per cent below year-ago levels, it is in line with the five year average. Slaughter has trended

NEWS

Page 4, North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer

April 2018

Berry delicious over at Barjarg From page 1

“We’re focussing on the spring and autumn crops, leaving the Christmas season for the bulk of the market – we take advantage of growing with all the North Victorian sunshine, right up until May,” Nina said. “In season, some days I might have 50 kilos of strawberries, and other days I might have 200 kilos - but eventually we’ll be picking over 1000 kilos a week at peak production. “It’s short, sharp and busy at peak times.” This year will also see Bimbimbi receive their official In Organic Conversion number from OFC (The Organic Food Chain). “We have customers lined up to buy already - there is definitely a demand for clean produce,” Nina said. There have been bridges to overcome with making the strawberries commercially viable in a supermarket setting – chemical free comes at a cost. There has also been hurdles with finding a price point that reflects not only the hard work but also goes some way

BIG THINGS: Nina and Andrew Meiers have high hopes for the future of Bimbimbi Berry Delicious.

to covering the cost of weather events. “When we had rain in November, we lost about 9000 punnets of strawberries – it was devastating,” Nina said. “When the greenhouse roof blew off in December, we lost our summer raspberries. “We had to pay people to come and pick the fruit to

throw it out; but we ended up with sensational fruit in the next flush, so fortunately there was a good side to the loss.” Victoria produces a third of all strawberries grown in the country. What the Meiers have over the competition is their soon to be organic certification.

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“We planted another 8000 strawberries last season, and have another 7000 being planted in May - so we will enter the organic market with 30,000 plants,” Nina said. “Still very small in the big strawberry market, but for organic fruit, it’s enough to get us recognised as a reliable source.

“Fifteen thousands feels like a lot of plants when you are out there at 6am picking – at 30,000, it will be beyond just the two of us, so we’ll be looking for local help as our business grows.” What is refreshing about both Nina and Andrew is their down to earth and honest approach to farming.

Happy to admit they are “learning on their feet,” the pair also joke with each other - Andrew labels Nina an optimist when she talks about massive berry yields, and Nina labels him pessimistic when talking about the threat of frost and damaging hail. “I wouldn’t necessarily recommend taking on a project like this as a way to strengthen your marriage,” Nina laughed. “You have to be patient, because everyone has different ideas. “We grew amazing watermelon and cantaloupe last season, another idea, but we decided that we’re only producing berries from now on. “We want to be known as the best of the best.” Nina is also about to launch her first podcast series, called The Farm Food Health Podcast. The focus will be on the relationship between farming, food and its impact on health. If you would like more information on Bimbimbi Farm go to the webpage at www. bimbimbi.com.au, or visit the Facebook page of the same name or email berry@bimbimbi.com.au.

NEWS IN BRIEF THE Tallangatta South community will celebrate improved reception after their new mobile phone tower was officially launched on Saturday, March 24. NATIONALS MP Steph Ryan (MLA, Euroa) has come under fire after she failed to issue her support for the West Gate Tunnel project - potentially putting 400 Benalla jobs in jeopardy. BENALLA’S Alana Johnson has been inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women. Ms Johnson, a pioneer of the Rural Women’s Movement in Australia, is a fifth generation farmer, and in 2010 was awarded the Victorian Rural Woman of the Year, and named in the inaugural 100 Women of Influence in Australian Agribusiness in 2014. THE Euroa branch of the National Australia Bank is set to close in June. NAB has said the closure is due to an increase in online banking. MORE than $10,000 worth Of cattle yards were

stolen from a property off the Midland Highway, out of Benalla. The theft took place on either Sunday or Monday, March 18/19, and consisted of galvanised steel panels, a loading ramp and a G Force gate. Anyone with information should contact Benalla CIU on 5760 0241. MEAT and Livestock Australia (MLA) has launched a fresh round of beef marketing activities under its domestic beef marketing platform ‘Australian Beef the Greatest’, focusing on promoting the convenience and versatility of Australian beef – particularly as a midweek meal option. FORK to Farm: a headline event on day one of Beef Australia 2018 will reveal the opportunities for beef producers to drive their business profit in the years ahead. A NEW postgraduate scholarship has been launched in honour of former AgriFutures Chicken Meat Advisory

Panel chair and Australian Chicken Meat Federation president, Gary Sansom, to uncover future chicken meat industry leaders and provide funding and support to make their mark on the industry. Mr Sansom passed away in March 2017. Worth $35,000, the prestigious Gary Sansom Postgraduate Scholarship will seek to identify high quality students, foster a career pathway in the chicken meat industry and support industry relevant research. The new scholarship is funded by the AgriFutures™ Chicken Meat Program and supported by industry. Postgraduate students and industry professionals with an interest in, and commitment to, the chicken meat industry are encouraged to apply. Application form and terms and conditions are available on the AgriFutures Australia website: http:// www.agrifutures.com. au/people-leadership/ scholarships/gary-sansomscholarship/.

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NEWS

April 2018

North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer, Page 5

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Horticultural and Viticultural Machinery Manufacturers PROSECCO JOY: The State Government has forked out $50,000 through a Food

Source Victoria grant to the Wines of the King Valley to help cement the region as Australia’s official home of the Prosecco name and brand. Clelebarting the news last month were (from left) Labor MP Jaclyn Symes, vigneron Dean Cleave-Smith, Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford, and Ross Brown of Brown Brothers. PHOTO: Anita McPherson

Scholarship honours John, aiding agriculture student RIVERINE Plains Inc hosted an Agribusiness Dinner at Corowa last month which was attended by 165 people. The dinner was held in celebration of the families, communities and businesses involved in agriculture across the region, as well as being the official launch of the John Hanrahan Scholarship. Riverine Plains Inc treasurer and scholarship fund trustee, Barry Membrey, said the scholarship is named in honour of John Hanrahan, a successful and experienced farmer and respected community member from Coreen, who passed away unexpectedly in 2014. “John was a great friend and supporter of Riverine Plains Inc and he had a real enthusiasm for the types of ongoing research that Riverine Plains Inc is involved with,” Barry said. “Through a generous donation made by the Hanrahan

family, Riverine Plains Inc has been able to establish a scholarship in John’s name to honour his passion for farming, his thirst for knowledge and his sense of community.” The scholarship, awarded annually, will recognise and encourage agricultural excellence in the Riverine Plains region through the support of a local second year student in their agriculture/agribusiness bachelor or diploma degree studies. Applications for the John Hanrahan Scholarship will open on July 1 and close on August 31, with details available in the coming months from www.riverineplains.org.au. “We are aiming to raise additional funds so the scholarship can continue in perpetuity, and invite members, sponsors and friends of Riverine Plains Inc, and the wider community, to consider making a donation to the scholarship fund so that this vision

can be realised,” Barry said. The evening also featured Alexandra Gartmann, managing director and CEO of Rural Bank, who spoke about her own leadership journey as well as Rural Bank’s scholarship program, which has been supporting students since 1992. The evening also included an impressive food and wine display, which showcased the diverse and wonderful range of agricultural produce originating from North East Victoria and southern NSW. Produce featured in the display was donated by a number of local businesses, before being sold in hampers and raising over $3500 for the scholarship fund. Donations to the John Hanrahan Scholarship Fund are tax deductible. For information on how to make a donation to the scholarship fund contact the Riverine Plains Inc office on (03) 5744 1713.

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Page 6, North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer

April 2018

Maternal value of White Suffolks

WHITE Suffolk genetics have performed well in a maternal evaluation trial being conducted in North East Victoria, ranking the highest for sucker turn off, carcass value, lambs marked on the first lambing and weaning weight. The trial is being run by Dr Jason Trompf, JT Agri-Source, on his familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 450ha, Northgate Park, at Greta. A base flock of 1000 composite ewes were joined to five sire groups in January 2015, with each sire group selected on key performance traits using breeding values maternal White Suffolks, maternal composite, terminal, NZ composite, a meat Merino and a maternal-terminal composite. The wether lambs were slaughtered at four months of age in October 2015. White Suffolk sired lambs had an average live weight of 52.5kg, carcass weight of 26.2kg, dressing percentage of 50, lean meat yield 56.7, fat score of 3.4 and a carcass value of $136.50. Dr Trompf said the carcass value was almost $10 higher than the average of the other sire groups. All ewes born from the trial in 2015 were retained and mated to lamb in August 2016 at 14 months of age. The White Suffolk sired ewe lambs at joining ranked the highest on scanning and marking rates, and the weaning weight of their lambs. They recorded a marking at first lambing of 108 per cent and weaning weight of first lambs of 29.6kg. During 2017, the trial ewes were measured for both

INDEPENDENT: Dr Jason Trompf is driving an independent maternal evaluation trial in North East Victoria, looking at the maternal value of White Suffolks.

fleece value and meat production. Although the White Suffolk-cross ewes ranked lowest for wool value, they were ranked second for total meat and wool production $200.24. Their average weight at the second joining (19 months) was 68kg at condition score 3.4 and they had a lamb marking of 123 per cent. Dr Trompf outlined the maternal trial results to date at the Australian White Suf-

folk Association conference at Creswick, Vic, back in February. Under his own production system, Dr Trompf has been a long-term user of the White Suffolk as a maternal breed but selection is based on a specific focus. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When focused on a balance of performance traits, the White Suffolk can be both a great terminal and maternal breed, however, this requires targeted selection for an animal with appropri-

ate growth for its production environment, balanced with finishing ability, high number of lambs weaned, worm resistance and lower mature weights,â&#x20AC;? Dr Trompf said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With the right selection emphasis on key traits, White Suffolk-Merino cross ewes no longer have to be the poor manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first-cross ewe. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bred well, fed well and target managed, they can compete well with any first-cross ewe; especially when you consider the stocking rates that a

tough, high carcass merit ewe, with rapid lamb turn-off, can be run under.â&#x20AC;? Dr Trompf aims to drive kilograms of lamb weaned per hectare on Northgate Park. Last year, his flock scanned at 150.4 per cent, or 3233 foetuses, from 2145 June-lambing adult ewes, and marked 2895 lambs. This represented a marking percentage of 135, and stocking rate of eight ewes per hectare. Records are maintained on

ewe scanning, lamb survival and ewe fleece values, while lamb performance and carcass feedback are collected. Ewes are confined to containment areas in April-May before lambing to strategically manage pastures. Single bearing ewes are managed to lamb at 2.7-3 condition score and are allocated lower legume content pastures for lambing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are trying to breed the easiest doing ewe we can possibly find, that can carryover spring feed on her back, minimise supplementary feed requirements in autumn and be highly productive at the same time,â&#x20AC;? Dr Trompf said. In July/August, he measures the five key banks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the cash bank, supplementary feed on-hand, condition score, pasture available and soil moisture levels. He also examines the southern oscillation index in winter for indications of a dry spring. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With sheep plus cattle, our stocking rates are well over 20 dse/ha with an average rainfall of 650mm so we need animals that are target bred and proactively managed,â&#x20AC;? Dr Trompf said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We keep an eye on muscle and fat, worm egg counts, lamb survival and growth rates, plus the adaptability of our ewes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This year we intend to use sensor technology to link lamb to dam at birth, track maternal behaviour on the birth site, measure relative feed intake, and also assess ewe body composition to inform appraisal of total productivity and profitability.â&#x20AC;?

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April 2018

North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer, Page 7

Cloning Brahmans for quality er â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and they set out to prove just how right they were. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We wanted the bloodlines that were better than good, and that was a very expensive endeavour,â&#x20AC;? George said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were going up to the top studs and telling them we wanted to buy their best one or two cows - not the 100 good quality animals they may have had - but the best.â&#x20AC;? A Bathurst Cobra, a GT 500 Shelby, a Baby Thunderbird - all classic cars George had collected over his lifetime; and all cars he sold to help finance GTM Brahmans. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had to have an open cheque book,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You know what they say, in for a penny, in for a pound. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But when you are a family, a parent, you do what you can to fulfil your familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dreams.â&#x20AC;? Among the GTM Brahman purchases was the only daughter of the South African cow R10 Red Queen. Described as the most important cow in Africa in the last 120 years, Red Queen won the Gold Cup in South Africa - beating all breeds, bulls and cows. Chris has all grown up now, and works as a chartered accountant in Woodend. George has remained at home on the farm; Brahmans have become more than a breeding business â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they have become part of the family. With almost two decades breeding under his belt, George is now as quick as any Northern Territory cattleman to reel off facts as to why Brahmans are superior. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Crossing to a Brahman results in a 20 per cent size increase in the resulting calf â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and they have a food conversion rate of one pound of food for one of weight â&#x20AC;&#x201C; British breeds are two to one,â&#x20AC;? George said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At 12 months of age, an Angus calf is around 330 kilos â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we have sold cross breeds at 450 at the same age, just on grass out of the paddock.â&#x20AC;? GTM Brahmans have a lot planned for the next two years. Breeding expansion, an AI program using new bloodlines and cloning are all on the agenda. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are working with one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading scientists, talking about our best options,â&#x20AC;? George said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you get to a certain level, you need to find genetics to go that next step forward - thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot of animals out there, but they arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessarily what we want.â&#x20AC;? Some 16 embryos need to be implanted to have a viably cloned calf.

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BREEDING THE BEST: George and Tracey Mercieca (Tracey pictured here with granddaughter Anastasia) run GTM Brahmans, and is known for producing some of the best breed examples in Australia. The GTM team are currently working on cloning their best breeding heifers, and hope to have calves on the ground within the next two years.

Cloning is the best way for me to guarantee the quality animal I want. - GEORGE MERCIECA, GTM BRAHMANS At a cost of around $5000 per unit just for the procedure, the costs are considerable. But the result, George said, is worth it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you breed a full sibling, you still donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what you are going to get,â&#x20AC;? George said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cloning is a quality guarantee.â&#x20AC;? The plan is to put the resulting heifers to South African bulls, further improving the breed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a matter of how, this is a matter of when,â&#x20AC;? George said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are very excited to be doing this, to be at the forefront of advancing the Brahman breed.â&#x20AC;? If you would like to contact GTM Brahmans, or would like to stay up to date with their progress, visit their Facebook page of the same name.

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43 10 month old steers bred from first cross South Devon â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Angus sires mated to 50-50 South Devon â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Angus cows weight full 391 kgs- curfewed 371, price per kg net of costs value $1202 per head. Buyer Cape Grim renowned quality grass fed beef Smithton Tasmania to grow on. WHY? The South Devon- Angus combination retain marbling of Angus, increase eye muscle, weight gain, yield increase feed conversion retain fertility and maternal traits and improve docility. We can provide South Devon bulls to use on Angus herds. There could be as much as 20% increase in profit for no increase in costs.

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BY the end of 2019, George Mercieca hopes to have cloned his two best breeding Brahmans. Rather than replicating the bloodline, George wants to know exactly what he will get; with cloning, all the guesswork has been taken out. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of people can be a bit funny when you start talking about cloning, but this is the best way for me to guarantee the quality animal I want,â&#x20AC;? George said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are not a lot of really high-end animals around, and I want the best - with cloning, we know exactly what will be hitting the ground.â&#x20AC;? George runs GTM Brahmans, a stud based out of Kyneton. Although the herd size is small, keeping numbers to less than 50 has allowed GTM to focus on quality rather than quantity. It is a long way from the man who liquidated his classic car collection to get into cattle breeding - and all at the insistence of his young son. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chris, my son, started talking about this when he was five years of age - he knew he wanted to breed cattle even then,â&#x20AC;? George said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I did a deal with him - I told him if he achieved good school marks, and headed in the right direction, then we would buy a property and get a few Brahmans. â&#x20AC;&#x153;From that day on, Chris sent emails all over the world to breeders.â&#x20AC;? One breeder from South Africa was so impressed by Chrisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pluck that he agreed to send him semen from his top bull - for free. Several years later, with Chris maintaining his interest and his school grades the Mercieca family bought a farm. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He literally changed the course of our lives,â&#x20AC;? George said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Before that, we had nothing to do with Brahmans. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But how do you say no when your son has worked so hard?â&#x20AC;? After purchasing a property, George and Chris packed their bags and headed out across Australia. From the outset, George knew to make a mark on the industry they would need the best. First introduced to Australia in 1933, Brahmans are most well known for their prowess in harsh northern climates. The Merciecas knew, however, that they were just as adaptable to Victorian weath-

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NEWS

Page 8, North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer

April 2018

z 168 bulls offered 168 sold z Average price of $8726 z Sale high $32,000

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z Volume buyer: TRT from King Island, 15 bulls SALE TOP: Te Mania Malin M170 topped the recent stud sale when he was sold for $32,000 to by Betty Roche, from Arden Angus Adelong. She is pictured with Tom Gubbins (left), Gerard Ryan and Hamish McFarlane.

Te Mania high performers sell to a high $32,000 A TOTAL sale clearance of all 168 bulls offered at the recent Te Mania sale has seen the stud cap-off the bull season on a high. The exceptionally even line-up of bulls attracted a large crowd of 174 bidders registered on property and on AuctionsPlus. The top priced bull, Lot 49, Te Mania Malin M170, was purchased by Elizabeth Roche of Arden Angus, Adelong, NSW for $32,000.

This striking son of Te Mania Jerilderie J10 impressed with good frame, body length and balance - with growth figures in the top one per cent of the breed for 200D (+104), 600D (+139) and IMF per cent of +3.9. In total, six bulls sold for more than $18,000, and each were in the top one per cent of the Angus breed for the four selection indexes which target returns of

profitability for commercial beef producers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is exactly what our progeny testing is all about â&#x20AC;&#x201C; testing and identifying future sires with balanced EBVs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to produce high growth, high meat quality and structurally sound cattle,â&#x20AC;? Te Mania spokesman, Tom Gubbins, said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;An extra $1 index value contributes an extra $1 per calf for that particular market.â&#x20AC;?

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MAKE sure youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re getting the most up-to-date information on variety performance and crop disease resistance ratings by grabbing a copy of the latest annual Victorian Winter Crop Summary. Coming to mailboxes and now online, the 2018 Victorian Winter Crop Summary provides the latest grain yield and quality data from the National Variety Trials (NVT) program, disease resistance ratings as well as agronomic characteristics of current varieties in the one location. Agriculture Victoria grains industry officer Johanna Couchman said for growers each season the question remained the same â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Am I growing the best variety for my situation?â&#x20AC;? As new varieties are

released, the latest National Variety Trials data becomes available and disease resistance ratings are updated. Ms Couchman said the Winter Crop Summary provides the opportunity to compare varieties across a number of characteristics. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Growers can use it as a guide for discussions with consultants, advisors and marketing agents,â&#x20AC;? she said. Ms Couchman said new to the Winter Crop Summary this year is one oat, one field pea, two lupin varieties, and a number of new wheat and canola varieties. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always important that growers check the disease resistance ratings in the Winter Crop Summary for any changes, so they can make the

best decision for their situation and proactively manage diseases throughout the season,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;NVT long-term predicted yield data means growers can compare variety performance across several years, and see which varieties have yield stability across different seasonal conditions.â&#x20AC;? Hard copies of the Victorian Winter Crop Summary have been mailed out to all GRDC GroundCover subscribers, and the document is also available online at www.grdc.com.au// NVT-Victorian-Winter-CropSummary. Growers can also investigate the National Variety Trialsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; longterm yield data via the Long Term Yield Reports App and NVT website.

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NEWS

April 2018

North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer, Page 9

The Fast Break - Dale’s weather program By DALE GREY, Seasonal Risk Agronomist Agriculture Victoria AS the short lived summer La Niña slowly dies, there are very few signs of note for the coming months. The undersea ocean in the western Pacific is warmer at depth - a result of reversed trade winds in the first week of February. We have seen this two

other times in the last five years, and it doesn’t guarantee an El Niño at all. We would need to see a lot more trade wind reversals in the western Pacific to get that to happen. Historically, about 50 per cent of the time La Niñas have backed up with another one in the next year, so this can’t be ruled out either. Models are mostly sitting on the fence for oceanic and rainfall predictions in the next one to six months, which is common in this lower

predictability time of the year. Model skill varies from poor to medium at this time. There is, however, a greater consensus towards average to warmer temperatures. I suggest making planting decisions at this stage on things other than forecasts, in other words, business as usual, and concentrate on stored soil moisture for crop choice decisions. Subscribe to Dale’s weather program, The Fast Break, at www.agriculture.vic.gov. au/agriculture/weatherandclimate/newsletters.

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and uniqueness of North East Victoria. The program will offer participants the opportunity to meet a broad range of regional, state and national leaders. As a pro-active investor in projects, the Gardiner Foundation is committed to developing the local and regional leaders who will shape strong and vibrant rural communities. This partnership with AVCLP provides a unique opportunity for up to two passionate individuals from the dairy and allied industries. 2017 Gardiner Dairy Scholarship recipient, Alice Colclough, is co-owner of the

Mitta Park Partnership Dairy Farm and an emerging leader in the Tallangatta South community. When asked what Alice’s favourite quality of the program is, she replied with “its sophisticated research and delivery”. “It is professional, well researched, consistently reviewed for improvement and above all is an inclusive, safe and an active place to learn,” she said. “Every day with the AVCLP is a day well spent.” Contact Karlie Langdon for more information at leaders@avclp.org.au, phone 0437 827 548 or visit: www. avclp.org.au.

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Page 10, North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer

April 2018

Fire brigades use Aussie Pumps

AUSSIE SEA SKIPPER: Aussie Pumpsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Craig Bridgement shows off the new corrosion resistant Aussie Sea Skipper â&#x20AC;&#x201C; headed to Dumbalk Fire Brigade.

VOLUNTEER firefighters have to maintain gear in top readiness throughout the year. Portable fire pumps can often be left unused for long periods and are susceptible to internal corrosion, particularly in areas with brackish water or high salinity. Dumbalk Fire Brigade needed help; they were chasing a way to fill their pumps quickly so that they could be out on the job, fighting fires, when it counted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Janet Auchtenonie â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from the fire brigade â&#x20AC;&#x201C; came to us at Aussie for some advice,â&#x20AC;? Aussie Pumps spokesman, Craig Bridgement, said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dumbalk were looking for a fast fill tanker pump that would cope with being left primed for long periods without use. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To minimise maintenance and improve readiness, she chose a 4â&#x20AC;? Aussie Sea Skipper as their fast fill tanker pump.â&#x20AC;? The high capacity portable diesel

drive fire pump is designed specifically for salt water applications. Recently released by Australian Pump Industries, the pump features corrosion resistant components combined with excellent performance characteristics. It is fitted with a bronze impeller and volute, the body components are manufactured of marine grade aluminium and are coated inside and out with an epoxy style corrosion resistant paint. The drain plug incorporates a sacrificial anode. Stainless steel fasteners complete the package with a hot dip galvanised frame, optionally stainless steel, for maximum longevity. The pumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s large, closed impeller delivers a maximum head of 50m (71 psi) and flows of up to 1250 lpm. This performance makes the pump ideal for village protection duties as well as fast filling tankers. The unit is powered by a 10hp

electric start Yanmar diesel engine with recoil backup. The engine delivers loads of power, but enables the pump to weigh in at just a little over 100 kilos. Dumbalk Fire Brigade is mounting the pump on a small trailer to facilitate deployment to suitable dams in a fire emergency. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aussie Sea Skipper is self-priming so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a simple matter to drop the suction hose into a dam and to start the pre-primed pump,â&#x20AC;? Mr Bridgement said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The high capacity and pressure makes it an ideal fire pump, while the big flow enables it to double as a fast fill tanker pump.â&#x20AC;? The product is already used by the Australian Navy for firefighting and salvage work. Further information on the Aussie Sea Skipper range is available from Australian Pump Industries or authorised distributors throughout Australia.

Is feed the difference in an Australian dairy? BY DR MARTIN AULDIST Senior Research Scientist, Agriculture Victoria, Ellinbank It is a big change of scenery for Nima, as farmers in his native Bhutan have an average of three or four cows on holdings of only one or two acres - and that includes steers and bulls. Nima hopes the knowledge and skills that he picks up during his time in Gippsland will be ben-

eficial for both his own career, and Bhutanese farmers he works with. One of the experiments Nima will work on is an experiment designed to investigate feed additives with the potential to help relieve heat stress in cows. This experiment started in February using 24 cows, and is monitoring the physiological responses and milk production of cows during a heat challenge when fed a feed additive and a fat supplement, both alone and in combination. If supplements can be identified that reduce the effects of heat

stress, they could be incorporated into specialised â&#x20AC;&#x153;summer dietsâ&#x20AC;? that are then fed during hot weather, to alleviate the decline in milk production which commonly occurs when cows get too hot. At the time of writing, the cows were almost half way through their treatments, so I should have initial results to share soon. Further experiments will look at different forages and grain supplements that may have lower heats of fermentation and therefore reduce the heat load on cows during extreme heat events.

Nima will also work on an experiment commencing in April measuring the depletion in pasture availability and quality that occurs in the time between the first and last cows reaching the paddock after milking. Case studies have shown that this can be over 2.5 hours in large herds, by which time 40 per cent of the pasture could be gone. The experiment will progressively release cows back into the paddock at a stocking rate that mimics commercial farms. Detailed measurements will be

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GENUINE Cummins 4BT3.9-C100 2700kg Capacity 6900kg Operating Weight Joystick Pilot Control SDLG Pumps & Valves Joystick Activated Transmission Shuttle Full Hydraulic Quick-Hitch A/C & Heated ROPS,FOPS, TOPS Cab AM/FM Stereo with USB Reverse Camera with LEDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1.4m3 GP Bucket FREE 4 in 1 bucket FREE fork attachment FREE Spare Wheel & Tyre Fitted with Remote Hydraulic 3rd valve - FULL FLOW

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Joystick Activated Transmission Shuttle 2000kg Capacity 5200kg Operating Weight Joystick Pilot Control 86HP Turbo Diesel )XOO +\GUDXOLF 4XLFN +LWFKb $ & +HDWHG 5236 6DIHW\ &DE b AM/FM Stereo System with USB 5HYHUVH &DPHUDb 1.0m3 GP Bucket FREE 4 in 1 bucket FREE fork attachment FREE Spare Wheel & Tyre )LWWHG ZLWK 5HPRWH +\GUDXOLF UG YDOYH b

Digital Scales also available. 3 YEARS PARTS & LABOUR WARRANTY AUSTRALIAWIDE.

3 YEARS PARTS & LABOUR WARRANTY AUSTRALIAWIDE. 2 YEARS CUMMINS ENGINE WARRANTY PROVIDED BY CUMMINS AUSTRALIA

BETTER QUALITY, BETTER VALUE, BETTER SUPPORT

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AGRICULTURE Victoria researchers at Ellinbank have this month welcomed a visiting dairy extension specialist from Bhutan, Nima Norbu, who was the lucky recipient of a prestigious fellowship from the Crawford Foundation. He will spend two months working alongside Ellinbank scientists to further his understanding of dairy research and extension processes and the Australian dairy industry, before spending a month at La Trobe University.

NEWS

April 2018

North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer, Page 11

Aussie Pumps | April 2018

AUSSIE SOWING

SPECIALS

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Dealer enquiries welcome ALBURY .............. Marks Sprayer Barn ................................... (02) 6025 8862 BENALLA............ Delatite Pumps & Irrigation ........................ (02) 5762 8120 BENDIGO ........... Rodwells .................................................... (03) 5442 5211 BERRIGAN ......... Murray Valley Rural Services ..................... (03) 5885 1155 ECHUCA ............. Stihl Shop Echuca ..................................... (03) 5480 9566 MYRTLEFORD ... Ovens Valley Chainsaws ............................ (03) 5752 1270

NUMURKAH ....... Peter Hill Honda ......................................... (03) 5862 3000 ROCHESTER...... Rochester Motorcycles .............................. (03) 5484 1745 SEYMOUR .......... Stihl Shop Seymour ................................... (03) 5799 1215 YARRAWONGA .. Murray Valley Rural Services ..................... (03) 5743 1900 WANGARATTA ... Wangaratta Saw & Lawn ............................ (03) 5721 3310 WODONGA ......... Elite Solutions ............................................ (02) 6024 5513

Page 12, North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer

Roger C Brown are the rock bucket experts ROGER C Brown, tractor and machinery sales, have been a staple in the Corryong community since 1930. This year, they will proudly display a full range of products at the Tallangatta Farm and Water Expo – including the unbreakable SHoule heavy duty rock buckets and rakes. SHoule rock and material buckets are, put simple, the best on the market. With unmatched tip design and high quality steel structure, they ensure you have the most robust tool needed to accomplish your work. New tips are made of forged steel - with vertical and side loads that are more than twice as strong as the industry standard, and are also 75 per cent more resistant to wear. Their specially designed profile offers a stopper that allows for more volume capacity, by keeping rocks from tumbling back, and the rock buckets are available for all types of tractors - from 5’. They also have a rock bucket that will suit a range of tractors; with the domestic sized buckets to fit a 30 horsepower tractor, all the way up to buckets to go on a 200 horsepower model. On top of general use around the home, industrial site or on the farm, each rock bucket can be fitted with an additional SHoule grapple – providing another layer of versatility, and making them ideal for lifting fallen trees off fences, rubble around the farm or general use. A SHoule sales representative will be joining the team from Roger C Brown at the Tallangatta Expo, and, along with the boys from Corryong, will be able to best demonstrate how a rock bucket can change the way you farm. There will also be a full range of tractor products and machinery from Roger C Brown.

TALLANGATTA EXPO

April 2018

Free entry, to all things farming

DRONES TO FEATURE AT TALLANGATTA EXPO ADDING another layer of excitement to this year’s Tallangatta Farming Expo will be a special drone display. One display will focus on reconnaissance or observational drones, ideal for checking stock and fence lines, while the second display will look at other ways drone can be utilised on farm – such as for spraying and soil moisture readings.

FREE: The Tallangatta Farming Expo is being held on April 19, and this year is free for all who wish to attend.

THE Tallangatta Farming Expo – to be held on April 19, will be free to enter for all visitors. Organised by the Rotary Club of Tallangatta, the event is now in its 25th year and is looking to increase visitor numbers through the gates in order to give exhibitors value for money for their site fees. The expo will showcase all things farming - but will have an emphasis on sustainable farming including small holding farming as well as sustainable living. Exhibits featuring renewable energy and innovative building materials have all been invited, and these will complement the traditional farm exhibits such as machinery, animal genetics, animal fertility, fodder, fencing, soil fertility and many more. In keeping with the sustainable theme, school age children will be given the opportunity to compete for prize money by creating something useful from something that was destined for the scrap heap. The competition will be known as the Treasure from the Tip, and there will be $250 worth of prize money in the primary age group and the secondary age group. This year’s farming expo will also have a more interactive feel with exhibitors given opportunities to run Tiny Talks Under the Towering Trees, on topics important to them and their clients. On top of this, Mitta Valley Landcare will run a feature on biological controls of weeds and vermin which will be open to all visitors. Full details and contacts are available at www.tallangattaexpo. com.au or by email at tallangattaexpo@gmail.com.

See US at the TALLANGATTA EXPO Krone Baler & Wrapper Combination

Kubota Twin disc spreaders

Kubota Tractors up to 170HP

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Kubota RTV Hydrostatic Drives Diesel & Petrol

FINANCE AVAILABLE - As Low as 0.9% on some Models

ROGER C BROWN

(02) 6076 1788

Email: rcb5@bigpond.com

CORRYONG

TALLANGATTA EXPO

April 2018

North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer, Page 13

Superaxe celebrates 25 years

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: The Superaxe, the wood splitter that put Whitlands Engineering on the map, celebrated 25 years recently. Pictured is Superaxe inventor and company CEO, David Burder.

Fun for the whole family

FR E fo N E E rV T is RY ito

IT doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter if you are a five year old John Deere enthusiast or a tractor mad teenager â&#x20AC;&#x201C; there is something for everyone at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tallangatta Expo. With more than 100 exhibitors there is something for everyone - alpaca products, baby clothing, art and crafts, financial services and much more. Once Dad has finished checking out the ag equipment, there is still plenty more to see and do. Aside from all the interesting displays, there is on-site catering, a workshop on tiny homes, NutriSoils will be there talking about their amazing worm products and there will be a raffle on the day â&#x20AC;&#x201C; plus lots more. It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter your age, sex or area of interest - you will find something you like at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tallangatta Expo.

IN 1993, David Burder was looking for a quick, powerful and efficient way to cut his own firewood. Based in the hills behind Mansfield, at Whitlands, David designed the Superaxe â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and was awarded the Inventor of the Year at Henty Field Days that same year. Since then, the Superaxe has become legendary â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and what started off as a small one man show has grown to be a company with more than 24 staff. In 2009, design changes were made to the Superaxe â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and its other mates in the Whitlands Engineering stable â&#x20AC;&#x201C; making the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s machines the first log splitters in Australia to comply with Work Cover guidelines. Since then, David has become known for his innovative work on creating powerful, safe log splitters â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and has created a number of machines for the bulk firewood industry; the first being the Rex900, a huge semi-automated processor worth around $95,000, and then the Log Saw followed shortly after. Trommels, elevators, hoppers and other accessories have all been added to the product line up to satisfy the needs of the bulk

WS3150 SUPERAXE SHOWN HERE

WHAT: Tallangatta

Farm and Water Expo WHEN: April 19 TIME: 9am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3pm WHERE: Tallangatta Showgrounds ENTRY: Free PARKING: Free

LOTS TO SEE: There is something for everyone at the upcoming Tallangatta Expo, so enjoy a day out and learn something new, all while enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery.

industry. Currently, Whitlands Engineering work out of two workshops in North East Victoria, with half the staff base having been with the company for more than 15 years. Whitlands supply machinery to New Zealand, and have just completed their first sale to the USA, which shows big potential. The company has invested in their production facility and now have capacity to build around $6 million worth of machinery each year. They are currently investing in technology to speed up manufacturing and make managing the general business easier on a day to day basis. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our commitment has always been to the highest quality manufacturing, good design, safety, ergonomics and productivity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and that has helped us maintain our industry leading position over the last two decades,â&#x20AC;? David said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We still exhibit at all major field days, support community events like the Tolmie Sports and the local footy club and speedway, contribute to charity and always keep a cold beer in the fridge for the staff after work.â&#x20AC;?

Designed and Built in NORTH EAST VICTORIA ";ŕŚŽm] m;Â&#x2030; v|-m7-u7v bm v-=;|Â&#x2039;Äˇ 7;vb]m -m7 r;u=oul-m1;Äş $Â&#x2030;o +;-u )-uu-m|Â&#x2039; FREECALL 1800 702 701 Â&#x2030;Â&#x2030;Â&#x2030;ÄşvÂ&#x2020;r;u-Â&#x160;;Äş1olÄş-Â&#x2020; SEE VIDEOS o= |_bv l-1_bm; IN ACTION ONLINE See Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Toughest Â&#x2039;7u-Â&#x2020;Ń´b1 o] "rŃ´bÂ&#x201A;;uv Demonstrated at Tallangata

Tallangatta Farming Expo Tallangatta Showgrounds April 19th

New innovations Plant & Equipment Over 100 Exhibitors 5 Lucky Gate Prizes are 5 Dairy packs

p Treasure from the Ti itta Valley competition and M l Control Landcare â&#x20AC;&#x153;Biologica inâ&#x20AC;? of weeds and verm

valued at $50 courtesy of Murray Goulburn

Something for Everyone A FUN DAY FOR ALL www.tallangattaexpo.com.au

Sponsors: Towong Shire Council, Rotary Club of Tallangatta , WAW Credit Union, Quadrant Financial Planning, North East Oil Distributors, Rotor Solutions Australia

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Site registration forms and competition entry details available by emailing tallangattafarmandwaterexpo@gmail.com or phone 0409 448 950 or 0417 294 234

NEWS

Page 14, North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer

April 2018

Kubota’s Super Dealer for the Goulburn Valley, North East Victoria and Southern Riverina EXCAVATORS

LAWN CARE

Kubota’s proven excavator range from 800 kgs to 8-tonne deliver superior reliability, durability and comfort. Kubota offer both conventional counter weight and zero-turn models for all construction applications.

KX018–4

The premium KX018–4 is engineered for superb handling and performance. Variable width undercarriage — 990 mm to 1300 mm. Protected bucket cylinder hoses and auxiliary hyraulic hoses. Auto shift between high & low to provide smoother operations when dozing and turning.

U17–3

17 hp, 3-cylinder diesel engine coupled with a 45Ltr/Min Hydraulic Pump. Zero tail swing means you’ll never worry about what is to the side or behind you while you work. Double ﬂanged track rollers and short pitched rubber tracks to minimise vibration during travel for improved operator comfort.

Mowers

Kubota mowers come either in a tractor garden format or with zero-turn range. There are petrol or diesel versions with signiﬁcant features across the whole range such as hydrostatic transmissions.

T1880, 2080 and 2380

Twin Cylinder 22 hp Petrol Engine, 48–inch cutting deck. Hydrostatic drive and hydraulic deck lift as well as shaft drive to the deck and dial height.

W SERIES

Kubota push mower. 3 Models available.

Z121S

Powerfull 21 hp premium “V Twin” petrol engine. All that power from the engine is delivered to the wheels and mower deck through a rugged, Hydro-gear commercial ZT3100 transmission. This 10-gauge steel, welded mower deck provides outstanding, professional-level cutting performance. 4 year/ 300hr warranty (Whichever occurs ﬁrst).

SSV75

U35–4

The U35–4 compact excavator brings more comfort and luxury to almost any challenge. The dozer blade comes standard with a float function. Deluxe interior and a more spacious cabin with fully flat floor and air conditioning. Also available with ROPS.

74.3HP engine. Common Rail System. Self-leveling Crack-resistant heavyduty tyres. Ground clearance of 207mm.

ZD 1221 - 60

29.1HP diesel engine. This rear discharge, 60” deck model is packed with clever features such as a hands-free hydraulic deck lift and on-thego cutting height adjustment.

DM SERIES

Kubota brushcutter Available in 2 stroke or 4 stroke

TRACTORS BX2370DV

BX2360DV on industrial or turf tyre. 23 hp diesel engine with BX2370DV power steering, 3-point linkage, 2-range hydrostatic transmission.

UTILITY VEHICLES Kubota offer an extensive range of utility vehicles with both petrol and diesel engines. All units come with ROPS and seat belts. There are a variety of options that can make your utility vehicle very versatile!

MX5100

The MX51000 tractor is very popular for the “life style” farmer and offers great versatility with a 50 hp turbo charged diesel engine. Available with either gear or hydrostatic transmission. Flat operators platform. Front-end loader (FEL) available among a number of other implements to suit this model.

RTV500

4WD utility vehicle with 16 hp, 2-cylinder petrol engine, hydrostatic transmission.

M71

150HP (4/Turbocharger w/intercooler). 24 Speed Powershift Transmission. 80 L/min Pump Capacity. 3 Mechanical Remotes.

RTVX1120 M7040SUHD

The Kubota M7040SUHD represents great value providing a 68 hp utility tractor with hydraulic shuttle (wet clutch). Flat operators platform. Front-end loader (FEL) available among a number of other implements to suit this model. Unit comes with a 3yr/3000hr warranty.

The all new Rough Terrain Vehicle with 24.8 hp, 3-cylinder diesel engine. 2-speed hydrostatic transmission and diff lock. Hydraulic power steering with hydraulic bed lift as standard. Front independent, dual A-Arm type suspension and the same in the rear.

BERTOLI’S AGRICULTURAL & INDUSTRIAL

www.bertolis.com.au

Albury NSW 520 Dallinger Road, Albury NSW 2640 Phone: 02 6025 5390

Benalla Vic 183 Bridge Street West, Benalla VIC 3672, Phone: 03 5762 3633

Shepparton Vic 198-200 Numurkah Rd, Shepparton VIC 3630 Phone 03 5821 3299

NEWS

April 2018

North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer, Page 15

Worm Hit pellets the key to success WORM Hit had humble beginnings; Chris Curran and a couple of farmer mates discussed the possibility of compressing composted green waste into a form that could be spread or sown by farmers using conventional equipment. At the time, Chris was already in the recycling business, shredding green waste and other materials for councils around Australia. What he was seeing were vast mountains of composted material building up around the country with very little uptake by farmers.

The cost of moving this compost was cost prohibitive unless you were very close to the source, so Chris decided to work with an organisation that used worms to break down the compost further, turning it into vermicast or worm poo; while this proved to be beneficial, it still had cost implications. With a farming background and the sole purpose of improving soils by reducing the use of chemical fertilisers and a reduction of waste to landfill, Chris and his mates investigated the pelletising of worm castings.

Early trials produced outstanding results, with obvious improvements to the root growth of all plants and crops where it is used. The trials on cereal crops proved even more exciting when farmers started seeing better yields. They were also seeing changes to the soil structure with less compaction and a more friable soil. Worm Hit turns a mixture of worm castings and a carbon food source into a pelletised form, creating one of the richest natural fertilisers on the planet.

Worm cast pellets stimulate plant growth more than any other natural product on the market and compared to artificial fertilisers and animal manures, worm cast pellets are absorbed easily, making it plant available immediately. Worm Hit pellets are safe to use on all plants, pasture and cereal crops; they wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t burn roots, or damage the soil, and are easily dispersed by conventional equipment. Currently in the process of becoming Certified Organic, Worm Hit will then have the option to be the fertiliser of

choice for organic farms. Worm Hit pellets will help farmers not only repair their soil, but also help to produce better yields which in turn, helps to make farming more sustainable. The current rate of use in comparison to chemical fertilisers is considerably reduced; a spread of 40kg â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 100kg per hectare has proven to be sufficient and so a more cost-effective alternative. A key issue for farmers is soil health; soil health deteriorates markedly as growers use more and more chemical fertilisers to try and achieve

the same yield outcomes. In contrast, Worm Hit pellets are full of a highly active natural biological mix of beneficial soil microbes, enzymes and water-soluble plant nutrients. They are packed with minerals essential for plant growth and there is over 50 per cent more humus in worm castings than one would normally find in top soil. Worm Hit is available in small and large quantities â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for all your supply requirements, contact Australian Farm and Fencing on 1300 733 644.

Cowboyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s act of kindness

DREAMS COME TRUE: Surrounded by cowboys, Ben Webster emerged from the chutes at the Merrijig Rodeo, riding Kenny the steer clear across the arena to the delight of the crowd.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;THIS bull has never been ridden â&#x20AC;&#x201C; not this year, not last year, not in his entire rodeo career,â&#x20AC;? screamed the announcer at the Merrijig Rodeo. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kenny is as wild as they come; he is meaner than your mother in law and big enough to give a child nightmares.â&#x20AC;? With at least five cowboys trying to keep the chute closed, the crowd waited expectantly for a glimpse of Kenny the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;bullâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Through the bars, his four foot horns clinked and rattled against the steel. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He will be ridden by the cowboy who is well known for his prowess in the saddle,â&#x20AC;? the announcer went on. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ben Webster has won every national buckle there is â&#x20AC;&#x201C; he sticks where other riders

BY RHYLL McCORMACK rmccormack@ nemedia.com.au

donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t; he spurs when others wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t.â&#x20AC;? At the recent Merrijig Rodeo, Ben Webster lived out his dream. Emerging from the chute, he trotted out on the not so wild Kenny. Although he does have an impressive set of horns, Kenny is not so much a wild Brahman bull as he is a hand-reared Highland steer who has never bucked in his life. At the end of a halter, he trotted across the arena; cowboys on either side supporting Ben on the ride of his life.

At 29 years of age, Ben suffers from a muscle wasting disease and is on the autism spectrum. In 2015, his brother rode in the Jess Hearn Memorial Steer Ride at Merrijig. In 2016, his sister did as well. Julie, Benâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother, was determined that 2018 would be the year Ben got a shot. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You just couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wipe the smile from Benâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face after he went out on Kenny,â&#x20AC;? Julie said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a dream come true for him. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Behind the chutes, all the cowboys came up and shook his hand and made him feel like he was a part of it.â&#x20AC;? If that wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enough, Julie was reduced to tears when the actual winner of the Jess Hearn Memorial, Leroy Wilks, came up to Ben afterwards.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;You deserve this mate,â&#x20AC;? he said, handing over the championship buckle. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It should be yours.â&#x20AC;? That was two weeks ago. Since then, Ben has worn his championship buckle each day. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the first thing he puts on every morning â&#x20AC;&#x201C; he hangs it up where he can see it at night,â&#x20AC;? Julie said. They say little acts of kindness make all the difference â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in the case of Ben and Kenny, it most certainly has. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t thank Scotty Purcell enough â&#x20AC;&#x201C; he brought Kenny in to the rodeo especially for Ben to ride,â&#x20AC;? Julie said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To all the cowboys, to Leroy, to the announcer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to everyone at the rodeo; you have no idea how happy you have made Ben and I.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;New Organic â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Worm Hitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Fertilizer now available in bulk to sow with cereals & Top Dress pasturesâ&#x20AC;?

NEWSheep Yards

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Lactation Stubble Mix for Ewes & Cows Independent Trial Results* - Lambs Grazing:- Bartey Stubble:- 87 grams/lamb/day(=74%) greater weight gain than the control group! - Wheat Stubble:- 122 grams/lamb/day(=39%) faster weight gain than the control group! Fabstock cost was only 5.3c/lamb/day. - High quality lucerne pasture + Fabstock Feedlet mix in the paddock:- 85-101 grams/lamb/day (=51-58%) more weight gain than the control group! Fabstock cost was only 3.57c/lamb/day:

Fabstockâ&#x20AC;&#x153;Super Cycleâ&#x20AC;?= Super Conception! Customer Results with â&#x20AC;&#x153;Super Cycleâ&#x20AC;?:- Merino ewes scanning 175% in lamb! - Merino maidenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scanning 152% in lamb! - Merino ewes weaning 139% lambs! - Dohne maidenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weaning 127% lambs! - Crossbred ewes weaning 150% lambs!

Phone for a Free Brochure now! *Conducted at the Temora Agricultural Innovation Centre, NSW 2666

Sow @ 40kgs/Ha = $35/Ha Cost Soil Conditioning Worm Casting Pellets. Ideal through Air Seeders & Combines With Microbes for Plant & Soil Â&#x2021; BROAD ACRE CEREALS & CANOLA Â&#x2021;

40 kgs/Ha of Worm Hit Fertilizer produced 17.36 ton/Ha of Oaten Hay = Cost of $2/ton of Hay

SO WA AC

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Worm Hit - Putting life & microbes back in your soil!â&#x20AC;?

4mm Worm Hit Fertilizer Pellets.

1300 733 644 or 0408 694 154 www.farmandfencing.com.au

j/30d02339/14-18

NEWS

Page 16, North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer

What’s on for farmers A CALENDAR covering a variety of agriculture happenings in the North East. Want your event added to the list? Email rmccormack@nemedia. com.au.

z April 28 Hot Composting workshop Yea Community Garden Everything you wanted to know about Hot Composting, but were afraid to ask. Longwood East Landcare invites you to attend a free event. Zanni Waldstein, a renowned expert in hot composting, will take us through the process of hot composting, explaining the why’s and how’s and show how easy it Is to setup, with a hands-on demonstration. You need

to bring a chair. RSVP to Gayle Shapcott by April 20. Email: gayleshapcott@hotmail.com or phone on 0412 354 426. z April & May: Agriculture Victoria, in conjunction with Netafim Australia, will be running the following half day workshops for irrigators who are looking to receive the latest information in drip irrigation management. Topics covered include:

April 2018 y Drip system specifications – understanding designs and specification sheets; y Drip system monitoring – measuring pressures and discharge; y Drip system maintenance – flushing, chlorination, acid injection; y Drip irrigation agronomy – soil management, scheduling, future planning. Dates and locations: y April 30 - Agriculture Victoria (cnr Koorlong and 11th St) 9am-1pm.

y May 1 - Robinvale Golf Club 9am-1pm. y May 3 - Wemen Hall, 9am-1pm. y May 4 - Colignan Mud Hut, 9am-1pm. Presenters are Jeremy Giddings and Peter Henry (Agronomist, Netafim Australia). Bring your irrigation design with you on the day and be prepared to spend some of the morning outdoors assessing a drip irrigation system. Register with Jeremy Giddings on telephone (03) 5051 4566 or email jeremy. giddings@ecodev.vic.gov.au.

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PROUD OF DIGITAL LIBRARY: Citizens of Mansfield have received certificates of appreciation for their hard work and dedication to the establishment of the High Country Digital Library. Pictured are (from left) Cindy McLeish (MLA, Eildon), Bob Byrne, Bev Day, Neil O’Halloran, Graeme Stoney, Norm Hookey, Paul Volkering (Mansfield Shire mayor), Karen Lewis, Anna Francis and Georgie Conan. PHOTO: Jarrah Loh

High Country Digital Library website launched AN exciting and significant High Country project was launched on Thursday, March 22 at 11am at the former Mansfield Railway Station. Some years ago, the Mountain Cattlemen’s Association of Victoria, the Mansfield Historical Society and the Merrijig Public Hall got together and applied to the State Government for a grant to build a digital library of the High Country history and update the carriages on the Mansfield railway platform. “We have produced an informative and entertaining website which the public can easily access,” chairman of the project Graeme Stoney said.

“They will discover many facts, documents and photos of the High Country never before available. “The information which has been digitised is mainly gleaned from primary sources which are very significant. “It has been supplied by High Country families and historical groups who are situated in areas including Omeo, Bairnsdale, Dargo, Heyfield, Bright and Mansfield. “I wish to especially acknowledge Anna Francis, an archivist, who has led the project to this point. “Anna’s input and advice along with technical assistance from Norm Hookey at the start meant that the pro-

ject will be an ongoing success.” The High Country Digital Library website is the culmination of four years’ work and was created at a cost of $220,000. The money was made possible by a State Government grant and significant contributions from important partners in the project. “The Mansfield Shire has been a key supporter of the project and seized on opportunities provided by the government grant to upgrade the Station Precinct,” Mr Stoney said. “The grant was designed to create local employment and upgrade local infrastructure as well as create the website.”

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NEWS

North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer, Page 17

SEEDS, FERTILISERS AND PASTURE

Page 18, North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer

April 2018 LEARN: NutriSoil are helping to change the way farmers get the most out of the pasture. Pictured (from left) are Mattia Ringe (accounts/admin), Lyn Maddock (director), sitting on the tank is Darren Maddock (production manager); Justin Armstrong (warehouse operations manager); kneeling is Graham Maddock (director) with Ringo by his side, in front of the tank are Nakala Maddock (customer experience manager) and Rachelle Maddock (managing director).

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Mishap inspired Graham to change IN the 1980s, Graham Maddock was like every other farmer – he worked hard on the family farm, did what he could to grow more pasture, and went to bed each night happy. Like his father before, Graham used fertilisers in autumn and insecticides when it was needed. But 30 years ago something happened that would send Graham on a completely different path; he was doused in chemical. “A tractor spray unit, carrying a potent insecticide, burst a vital high pressure line and I was almost completely soaked,” Graham said. During the months of illness, Graham had time to think about just how lucky he had been to escape permanent injury – but more importantly, if the insecticide made him sick, what was it doing to his beef and dairy herds? “As odd as it sounds, it had just never occurred to me before then – that everything I sprayed and supered was ingested by our cattle; cattle that gave us milk and beef,” Graham said. “I had heard of the benefits of using worm castings – vermicast - as a natural fertiliser, and decided to trial it on an experimental crop of Chinese Water Chestnuts. “I haven’t looked back.” Graham’s chestnuts flourished, and he was so inspired he trialled test strips of vermicast spread over the rest of his property. “The noticeable good quality and extra growth was encouraging,” Graham said. “I continued to spread 250kg/ha of castings over the property annually, and the re-

Charles Massy to speak at open day

NUTRISOIL is hosting an open day on June 28, with world famous researcher, farmer and eco warrior, Charles Massy as keynote speaker. Charles is known as the farmer turned author who gained a Bachelor of Science (Zoology, Human Ecology) at ANU in the 1970s, before going farming for 35 years, developing the prominent Merino sheep stud ‘Severn Park’. Concern at ongoing land degradation and humanity’s sustainability challenge led

him to return to ANU in 2009 to undertake a PhD in Human Ecology. Charles was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for his service as chair and Director of a number of research organisations and statutory wool boards. He will officially launch his latest book, Call of the Reed Warbler, during the NutriSoil open day. Contact the team at NutriSoil to reserve your place at this prestigious event – and learn what you can do at home.

sults got better each year.” The limitation of vermicast was cost of transport. In the mid-90s Graham decided to invest the farm’s fertiliser deposit on setting up his own vermiculture system. “When I was designing our own recipe, I wanted it to be exactly the kind of stuff I would spread at home,” he said. “So we added a manure/ straw base, and seaweed and fish emulsion which gave a good source of trace elements and minerals. “Healthy soils don’t need the addition of many chemical inputs that modern agriculture suggests.” The next step was to set up the windrows to take the liquid extract from the worms and so NutriSoil LS (liquid spray) biological concentrate was born. “It is a fertiliser in its own right and has been the only form of fertiliser used on

our property for many years now,” Graham said. “Rather than 250kg/ha application with vermicast, only 5L/ha of NutriSoil concentrate is required.” Graham has now semiretired from the business, handing the reins to the next generation: daughter Rachelle Armstrong with her husband Justin Armstrong, son Darren Maddock and his wife Nakala Maddock, and Mattia Ringe are all as enthusiastic about the natural benefits of NutriSoil as Graham is. But, every bit as determined, the team continue to be at the forefront of natural farming systems – and in 2016 won the Australian Organics Best Certified Product of the Year (non food). In 2017 they were also awarded a silver medal for Australian Ethical Enterprises by Moral Fairground.

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April 2018

SEEDS, FERTILISERS AND PASTURE

North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer, Page 19

Technology gives canola growers a leg-up against pesky blackleg NEW technology is set to enhance decision making by Australian canola growers in their strategic efforts to reduce yield and profit losses caused by blackleg, a potentially devastating disease. A blackleg management app has just been released, providing growers with a tool that can forecast the likelihood and severity of the disease, associated yield loss and economic returns on a paddock-bypaddock basis ahead of sowing. BlacklegCM is a Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) investment and is the result of 30 years of blackleg research. It is envisaged the app will become the mainstay for blackleg knowledge in Australia. Oilseeds disease expert, Dr Steve Marcroft, who contributed significantly to development of the app, says the tool will provide growers and advisers with “an interactive interface” to explore and compare the economic outcomes of different management strategies for blackleg, which can cause up to 90 per cent yield loss where a cultivar’s blackleg resistance has been overcome. Dr Marcroft, of Marcroft Grains Pathology in Horsham, says the app is an extension of the GRDC’s Blackleg Management Guide which is updated twice a year to reflect any changes in the resistance status of individual cultivars. “Although the Management Guide provides useful information, it has some limitations in its current form. “It is difficult to consider complex interactions such as the use of cultivars with different blackleg ratings in high or low rainfall environments and the effect of fungicide use,” Dr Marcroft said. “There has been a need to de-

velop a management tool that can provide disease forecasting based on the management principles proposed by the manager of an individual paddock, and this has led to the development of BlacklegCM. “BlacklegCM assists growers to manage blackleg by integrating the information provided in the Blackleg Management Guide and producing a predicted economic outcome. “It can be modified to account for some of the major factors that relate to risk of yield loss due to blackleg in a particular paddock. “It allows the user to compare the likely relative profitability of different disease management strategies, including paddock selection, cultivar choice, seed dressing, banded fungicide and sprayed fungicide.” BlacklegCM takes account of costs, yield benefits and grain prices to give the best case, worst case and most likely estimates of economic return.

It also accounts for the major factors that influence blackleg severity. “The user has the option to change each parameter to tailor the output to their cropping circumstance,” Dr Marcroft said. “Consequently, the user can explore their options for disease control and understand the relative importance of each factor.” “Once all the parameters have been entered by the user, the real power of the app becomes apparent as it determines blackleg severity, yield loss and economic return from the parameters entered.” The app has been extensively tested by advisers and the interfaces were determined based on advisers’ recommendations. Dr Marcroft says the app, now available via the App Store and Play Store, will be updated continuously to ensure it covers all current canola cultivars and their current blackleg ratings.

“All new knowledge will also be incorporated - knowledge on upper canopy infection and different fungicide timings will be incorporated in the near future,” he said. The app can also be used during the growing season. “For instance, in 2016 many growers planned for a two tonne/ hectare crop but soon realised that yield potentials were much higher,” Dr Marcroft said. “Members of the National Canola Pathology team then warned of a very high blackleg lesion severity. “In this scenario in July, growers could have re-run the app with a three t/ha yield target, rather than a two t/ha yield target, and compared plus or minus foliar fungicide.” Comprehensive information on management of canola diseases can be viewed and downloaded via the GRDC’s Diseases of Canola and Their Management: The Back Pocket Guide.

Pulse disease guide released THE latest pulse disease management information has been released by Agriculture Victoria. Speaking at the Grains Research and Development Corporation’s Research Updates at Bendigo last month, Agriculture Victoria senior research scientist, Jason Brand, said the guide included important information for growers - such as updated disease ratings for commonly grown pulse varieties. “Disease will require proactive management in 2018 following two good seasons,” Dr Brand said. “It is important for growers to note that some chickpea and faba bean cultivars have increased their susceptibility rating to ascochyta blight due to changes in the pathogens. “This will impact disease management plans for some growers this season.” Along with updated disease ratings, the Pulse Disease guide - which is updated by Agriculture Victoria each year - provides growers with advice on how to avoid losses from disease - and what they need to consider when planning their rotations for the season ahead. Dr Brand said adoption of integrated disease management strategies will reduce the risk of disease in 2018. “These strategies incorporate sowing healthy seed, variety selection (ie choosing more resistant varieties where possible), using seed dressings, appropriate paddock selection and active crop monitoring for diseases and insect vectors to inform timely foliar fungicide and/or insecticide application.” The Agriculture Victoria Pulse Disease Guide is supported by the Victorian Government and GRDC. To download a copy visit the Agriculture Victoria website.

Page 20, North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer

SEEDS, FERTILISERS AND PASTURE

April 2018

Pasture renovation with purpose WE all know dairy farmers have to be the ultimate ‘multi-taskers’, but did you know that according to the National Centre for Dairy Education (NCDE), dairy farmers need over 170 skills to run a successful farm business? Milking cows is but one task to be mastered in the running of a profitable and sustainable farm business. Smart farmers avail themselves of current industry expertise in areas like irrigation and water management, business and financial management, making hay and silage, and importantly, selecting and sowing pastures and forage crops. Jessica Sampson, an experienced agronomist and area manager (northern Victoria) for the vertically-integrated and privately-owned Upper Murray Seeds (UMS), firmly believes in pasture renovation with purpose. “Failing to plan is planning to fail, and the old adage applies just as much to improv-

ing pasture as any other business activity,” she said. “I’ve learnt over the years how important it is to take a strategic approach to farming and all of us at UMS work with farm managers to help them grow their business through pasture renovation with purpose.” The UMS team really enjoys the opportunity to connect with farmers and explain the importance of strategically planning pasture renovation. “You can rehabilitate your farm, paddock by paddock, in a strategically planned system,” Ms Sampson said. “The expertise on offer from UMS doesn’t cost you anything, but making mistakes with pasture renovation can be very expensive. “You’ll grow more grass with an agronomist - by working together to make better choices to solve your particular challenges we can strategically overcome your feed shortages,

BEST IN BUSINESS: Jessica Sampson (front left) and UMS colleagues hearing about new variety development at Upper Murray Seeds’ R&D site.

improve soils and build your pasture base to become more productive and therefore more profitable, and of course that’s the ultimate goal of any business plan.

“Our purposeful planning includes activities like analysing the legume content of pasture with your end goal in mind - for instance a 30 per cent clover content will provide atmospheric N and

drive feed quality. “Having the right amount of legume content (ie clover/ grass ratio) improves pasture quality and utilises dry matter (DM).” Ms Sampson said it was all about the right tools. “Some of the tools at our disposal include our super multi-purpose lucernes, particularly Silverosa GT (winter activity 7), which can provide high volumes of top quality feed every day to keep cows on an even plain of nutrition,” she said. “Our tough Australianbred lucerne varieties have multiple features such as inbuilt, broad-spectrum disease and pest resistance, rapid regrowth and superior heat and cold tolerance; and, they produce top quality hay. “They’re just amazing.” Savvy dairy farmers know that strategic pasture selection is an investment, and in order to get a return on that investment they should se-

lect the best performing seed on offer. Upper Murray Seeds’ flagship Atomic annual ryegrass has outperformed 10 other varieties in an independent trial concluded in September 2016, where Atomic produced 9216kg DM/ha. Atomic’s abundant biomass production reduces the cost per kg/DM, and increases the capital gross return from milk making the annual tetraploid a real winner in terms of boosting profitability. Other premium products to help grow a dairy farming business include high performing seed blends, or mixes, designed to suit a particular enterprise, but with the help of a skilled agronomist a blend can be fine tuned or customised precisely according to your needs. In dairy farming, premium pasture seed powers profit, so invest in the best you can and it will pay dividends in the long term.

Victorian grain growers warned to be prepared for mice plague GRAIN growers in Victoria are being urged to assess current mouse numbers on their properties to determine if mice are likely to pose a risk at sowing. If mouse numbers are a concern, growers should consult with their bait suppliers as soon as possible to ensure they have access to sufficient quantities of bait, with some predicting mice numbers to be in plague proportions this season after extensive crop damage in 2017 and a

carryover of base populations through summer. Mild weather and a reasonable supply of food sources, as a result of grain being left on the ground due to weather events and frost last year, have contributed to numbers being at higher than normal levels. Mouse monitoring experts engaged in GRDC research investments say potential exists for economic damage at sowing this year in parts of the state. CSIRO researcher Steve

Henry says it is imperative that growers “get out of their vehicles, walk into their paddocks and get a good feel for what is going on” in respect to current numbers and activity. “If they think they are going to need bait, they should talk to their suppliers immediately,” Mr Henry said. “If they leave it too late, supplies may not be available when they need to bait, as has occurred in previous years. “Growers should be prepared to bait in the lead up

to sowing, as well as being prepared to bait at sowing - it is important that they monitor the effectiveness of baiting after each application.” Broadscale application of zinc phosphide bait is the only method available to growers to control mice in their paddocks. Mr Henry says timely application of bait at the prescribed rate - one kilogram per hectare - is paramount for reducing the impact that mice have on crops at sowing.

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“Strategic use of bait is more effective than frequent use of bait,” Mr Henry said. “Ideally, bait should be applied eight weeks ahead of sowing, before another single application at sowing.” Mr Henry also encourages growers to implement other mouse reduction strategies; such as reducing the amount of food sources available by spraying out summer weeds and volunteer cereals, and cleaning up grain on the ground by grazing sheep on stubbles.

“Growers need to reduce alternative food sources to make baiting as effective as possible because bait aversion can be a real issue,” he said. The threshold for economic damage at sowing is 200 mice/ hectare. Mouse management strategies and advice are outlined in the GRDC GrowNotes™ Better Mouse Management Tips and Tactics fact sheet at https:// grdc.com.au/tt-better-mousemanagement.

MACHINERY

April 2018

North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer, Page 21

100 YEARS ON: John Deere tractors have been in the industry for 100 years.

John Deere turns 100

Celebrating a century of tractors

IN 1918, Deere and Company purchased the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company. Although Deere was already established in rural circles, the company purchased Waterloo with an aim to provide farmers with a full line of mechanised agricultural equipment. Before that, Deere and Company’s origins dated back to 1837, when the Illinois-based blacksmith John Deere developed a polished steel plough that was a big improvement over the iron and wooden ploughs of the day. The rest, as they say, is history. Last month, John Deere celebrated 100 years in the tractor industry. No other brand has become so

synonymous with all things agriculture – so in-grained is the trademark green and yellow that paint companies offer John Deere green as a colour option. The Waterloo Boy, the first real cutting edge machine, was at the forefront of farming in the 20th century; its use and technology led to dramatic increases in agricultural productivity. John Deere made many unsuccessful attempts at commercialising tractors – but it was the gasoline powered Waterloo Boy tractors that propelled them into becoming a household name. They continued to sell the tractors until 1923, when the John Deere Model D was introduced.

Step forward for Australia’s silage industry WITH high-quality silage being the crucial component of an effective livestock-feeding program, leading farm machinery manufacturer Kuhn’s latest addition to the Australian market promises to play a significant role. The Kuhn Profile 24.2 DL double-auger mixer wagon is brand new to Australia – and with it comes some special features designed to transform the speed and efficiency of any feed delivery system. As Kuhn product specialist Tom de Greenlaw explains, when it comes to silage production, nutrition and costs are two of the most important considerations “Nutrition, because a topquality product is going to help your animals reach their full potential, and cost, because time-efficiency is such a major issue for most farms today,” Mr de Greenlaw said. “A good mixer will help you to achieve both those goals, and that’s why this step in the process is so important to get right.” Feeding systems employ-

more even delivery. “Considering its size, this is also a relatively lowhorsepower machine, which means that farmers won’t need a huge tractor to run it. “There’s also a 2-speed gearbox, meaning that you can bump it into a higher gear, for a full cleanout of the mixer - and this mixer also has a programmable weighing system, which offers either a ‘simple’ mode for weighing quantities loaded and distributed, or a ‘programmable’ mode for more comprehensive nutrition management. “In addition, you can add extra knives onto the augers, enabling you to chop your feed more finely, if required.” The other great thing about this mixer is that it’s a fully scalable solution. Farmers can easily use hopper extensions to upgrade their capacity, if and when it’s required. For more information, and to learn more about the Kuhn difference, visit www.kuhn. com.au.

GAME CHANGER: Kuhn’s latest addition to the silage industry, the 24.2DL, promises to be a game changer.

ing a tractor and bucket, a silage cart, or even some other types of mixer wagons can be time-consuming to use, and uneven in their feed delivery capabilities. These less-than-optimal methods for feed delivery can result in issues like aerobic

spoilage, which can lead to nutrient loss, and feed wastage, resulting from patchy distribution. Kuhn’s Profile 24.2 DL mixer wagon can eliminate both issues, delivering livestock feed quickly and efficiently, minimising wastage via opti-

mal distribution. The new wagon sets a whole new standard for feed mixers, as Tom explains. “The machine is a lot wider at the base, with a lower height and an integrated chassis, making it much stronger and more robust

than some lighter machines,” he said. “In addition, its hopper is pressed, creating a more consistent mix, for better overall nutrition. “Plus, there are two scrapers on the bottom of the auger, for faster operation and

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NEWS

Page 22, North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer

April 2018

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North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer, Page 23

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NORTH EAST AND GOULBURN MURRAY

Part of the Farmer Group Rural Newspapers Covering Victoria

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G/15d14781-v2/1018

Vaginal Prolapse in cattle - Kirri Solly-Slade DVM TUESDAY "KING VALLEY RUN"

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Autumn calving is well and truly upon us and with this comes possible complications including the occurrence of vaginal or uterine prolapse. Prior to calving vaginal prolapse is a risk and is outlined in this article. After calving, uterine prolapse is a possibility and this will be outlined in next month’s article. Vaginal prolapse is when the vagina is everted and pushed outside of the vulva, in some cases the cervix is also prolapsed along with the vagina. It will appear as a mass of pink tissue extending from the vulva and can range in size from a grapefruit to the size of a basketball. Vaginal prolapse usually occurs in mature cows, within the last two months of gestation or in the weeks or days prior to calving. Several factors lead to the occurrence of vaginal prolapse in cattle. The presence of high levels of the reproductive hormones estrogen and relaxin at the end of gestation lead to the softening of the muscles and tissues throughout the body particularly within the pelvic canal. The relaxtion from these hormones combined with an increase in pressure in the abdomen either from a particularly

large gravid uterus, a calf positioned with its feet in the vaginal canal, an overly bloated forestomach or an excessive amount of fat leads to the vagina being pushed out from its normal position. It is because of these risk factors that over-conditioned, obese, mature cows are most commonly affected by vaginal prolapse. There is also a genetic component and for this reason you should cull any cows that have a vaginal prolapse and avoid using bulls that came from a line with a history of the problem. Straining due to the irritation felt at the beginning of a prolapse or when feaces is passed can cause the prolapse to worsen and for more tissue to be everted. For this reason a prolapse can progress from a small baseball sized amount of tissue that only is extruded for short periods of time to a large prolapsed which if left untreated can become swollen and impede the normal flow of both blood and urine in the region. For this reason a veterinarian should be contacted as early as possible to perform an epidural, reduce and stabilise a vaginal prolapse before major complications occur. j/12d12235-v50/06-18

Page 24, North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer

April 2018

NEW TRACTORS

TYM TS25 25hp 4wd Hydrostatic Fel 4 in TYM T503 51hp 4wd Cabin Fel Standard TYM T723 74hp 4wd Cabin Fel Std Trans, 1 Bucket $ 19,990.00 Bucket $39,990.00 4 in 1 Bucket $55,000.00

TYM T903 91hp 4wd Cabin Fel Standard LANDINI REX 85hp 4wd Cabin Orchard Bucket $ 60,456.00/ also 100hp $53,000.00 $68,700.00

SOLIS 60RX 60hp 4wd Rops 4wd,Canopy,Weights $28,600.00 / also Fel $38,500.00

USED TRACTORS

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IRTEM 4 Row Pneumatic Precision Seeder $21,643.00

DAKEN 19 04 Row 19 “S” Tyne W/Roller & Seed Box $8,322.00

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CHAMBERLAIN 25 505 H/Duty Tine Scaraﬁer $5,500.00

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