Snowy Monaro Farmer - May 2023

Part of the Farmer Group of Rural Newspapers – Incorporating Your Farm

FLORANCE LEADS STRONG MONARO SHOWING

Florance McGufficke has taken home the NSW Young Woman of the Year award at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, a remarkable achievement that recognises her continued work to support local young women and the Monaro community.

The Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Young Woman competition aims to find a young woman to act as an ambassador for rural NSW with her role involving many official and informal duties both at the Sydney Royal Easter Show and during her travels across NSW and interstate.

Florance was named a finalist at the Zone 3 finals in Yass after taking home the Cooma Show Young Woman of the Year award in March. She said she was grateful for the opportunity, having long aspired to the values of the competition.

“It was a fabulous experience and I’m very grateful for what was certainly a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Florance said.

“It’s a wonderful competition to be part of and was great to share it with the other finalists and to see the growth in all the girls.

“This is something I’ve always aspired to do and I’m so grateful to the NSW Royal Agricultural Society, the Cooma Show Society, my family and friends and everyone who has supported and mentored me along the way.”

The Cooma Pastoral and Agricultural Association

(Show Society) was thrilled by Florance’s achievement, particularly the Young Woman Co-ordinator Leanne Mackay.

“It’s wonderful, we’re so proud. Florance has put a lot of effort into this and it’s really shone through,” Leanne said.

“She’s a great representative of the Monaro region and we look forward to seeing her continued success into the future.”

Growing up on the family property at Greendale Merinos, Florance was proud to represent the Monaro. The region enjoyed great success with local producers bringing home a number of broad ribbons and trophies.

The Conrayn Merino Stud won the Supreme Merino competition.

Florance’s sister Miranda also saw success at the

Show, being named Reserve Champion Junior Merino Fleece Judge. Florance said she is looking forward to seeing the competition continue to inspire and support young rural women and she hopes to continue to be an advocate for local youth and to help forge paths ways and encourage them to follow their dreams and achieve their goals.

MONARO LEADS THE WAY: Florance McGufficke of Cooma is the Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Young Woman. Florance joined sister Ivy, mum Miranda and dad Alan after receiving her honour.

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Impressive draft of local cattle

A large crowd assembled for the second combined agents Monaro weaner sale of 2023 with more favourable conditions.

Held last month, the sale was conducted by Elders, Nutrien Ag abd Boller & Co where 3853 cattle were yarded with a breakup of 2642 steers and 1207 heifers. The vendor and agents combined to put one of best draft of calves seen. There were 82 eager bidders registered to compete on this exceptional draft of local cattle. Buyers came from far and wide, with

most of the cattle ending up in the Riverina, western NSW, Central West NSW and South and East Gippsland.

With a favourable condition on the Monaro over the last 12 months, weight and quality of weaners was exceptional with plenty of spring calves weighing over 300kgs. The early spring drop steers topped at $1570, with most of the top draft of steers making from $1300 to $1450 making between $4.20 to 4.80kg. This sale there was a smaller run of yearling

steers from approximately 14-18 months of age with the top pen making $2000 with most of the run making from $1500 to $1760.

The top end of the Heifers continued the trend with strong demand from the locals securing some very good qualities females with the top pen making $1390, with the majority making $900 to $1200.

Elders, Nutrien Ag and Boller & Co thanked all vendors for their support and congratulated them on a wonderful line up of cattle.

Quick shear event honours Mitchell

Awards galore for Monaro

Following on from the inaugural event’s huge success last year, the Annual Mitchell Power Memorial Quick Shear is set to be held in Bombala on June 17.

The loss of the young Bombala shearer rocked the community at the end of 2021, and the event will be held in aid of mental health and suicide prevention.

Last year the Quick Shear was held on Mitch’s 23rd birthday, and there was a huge outpouring of support for the event.

“Mitch was one of the best. As well as being a great mate, son, partner and brother, he was a very talented shearer,” event organisers say.

“He travelled all around Australia and New Zealand pursuing his love of shearing. “We are pleased to be organising the quick shear again in memory of Mitch and what he spent every day doing.

“We would like to use this event to focus on mental health in the shearing industry and to encourage young men just like Mitch to speak up if they aren’t doing too well.”

The second Mitchell Power Memorial Quick Shear will be held at Bombala’s Imperial Hotel, with shearing to begin at 8.30am sharp.

Categories will include Novice, Intermediate, Senior and Opens, and there will be a team novelty event that is sure to prove a very popular part of the day.

Over $20,000 in cash prizes is up for grabs, and in addition to last year’s proceedings there will also be a Dash4Cash, some kids activities and some great live music.

Food and beverages will be available through the Imperial Hotel, and there will be merchandise and raffle tickets available for purchase to add to the total going towards mental health and suicide prevention.

“All offers of support for the event is greatly appreciated, and we thank the community for its kindness and generosity,” organisers say.

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The Monaro’s merino studs, exhibitors, and rural ambassadors have showcased what a strong agricultural region we have with a swag of accolades coming from the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Florance McGufficke (story on page 1 of the Snowy Monaro Farmer) was awarded the NSW Young Woman of 2023, capping off a remarkable 12 months. Miranda also took home an award when she was declared the Reserve Champion of the State Merino Fleece competition.

Conrayn Merino Stud was awarded Supreme Merino and Supreme Junior Exhibit. The Berridale based stud also took out the Stonehaven Cup for the five best Merino sheep.

Further success came for the Monaro with the Adina Merino Stud claiming the Grand Champion Fine/Medium Merino Ewe.

Greenland Merino Stud won the Grand Champion Fine Wool Poll Ram, adding to their success at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Ingleside Shire Horse Stud came away from the show with a host of ribbons. The stuydnwas awarded Supreme Champion Shire, Best Shire Gelding, plus a number of first, second ajnd third prizes.

Locals have long known the lovely flowers Leone Venables produces. Leone returned two champion results, six first places, 10 seconds and three third placings.

Clip Tags

Local shearers like Mick Brownlie will be joined by many from away to support the event on June 17. (Photo courtesy of Kirby Rae Photography).

Conrayn Merino Stud was awarded Supreme Merino at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

South East Rural working hard

The hard-working team at South East Rural Supplies has been recognised for their efforts with a national award.

The Cooma based rural supplier took home the top award at the National Australian Independent Rural Retailers and Tuckers National Member Conference in Adelaide, being named the 2022 Peter Law National AIRR Member of the Year, out of 350 candidates.

“The rural industry can be tough with conditions forever changing, we need to be as adaptable as ever to service our customers and the broader community,”

AIRR Chief Operating Officer Peter Lourey said.

“It shows how special this achievement is for South East Rural Supplies, especially considering the competition in this category and the success of independents around them. They are now setting the bar high for their peers, demonstrating ideas on how they can respond that tells the real story.

“Congratulations to South East Rural Supplies for an unbelievable year in 2021. They play a vital role in their community and it gives us great pleasure to acknowledge those that are doing such a fine job.”

Store owners David and Sue Bottom attended the conference to accept the award and the store general manager James Waugh said the team was honoured to receive it.

“It means a lot to the team here to receive the award as the judging of it is very professional and seriously carried out,” Waugh said.

“We’ve won six NSW awards before now and so it’s really special to receive the national award and receive the

recognition for being a locally owned business that supports local and employs locally. So of course, we couldn’t have done it without our wonderful customers and staff.”

This year’s conference announced three years’ worth of award winning

Oldest ewe comp in nation

The Berridale Agricultural Bureau’s Merino Ewe Competition, the oldest Merino ewe competition in Australia, is being held this week.

The competition is a social two-day event held across the Snowy Monaro region on Friday May 5 and Saturday May 6.

The first Berridale Agricultural committee was formed in 1926 and the competition has run annually ever since except for a few years during World War II and in 2020 due to COVID. The committee are looking forward to being able to host this highly coveted competition once again for 2023.

It is a great event to learn more about merino sheep, visit farms, and get together with other farmers and like-minded people. Everyone is welcome, with morning tea and lunch provided on both days and a presentation dinner held on Saturday night, May 6.

For more information, visit the Berridale Agricultural Bureau Facebook page.

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EWE COMP: A strong showing is expected for the Berridale Merino Ewe Competition.

WINNERS: David and Sue Bottom celebrate their success.

Fight Against Varroa Mite

Luke Treadwell

Snowy Monaro resident and owner of Eagle Valley conservation in Michelago

Gregg McFaul is pioneering new technology in the fight against Varroa Mite (Varroa destructor).

The Bee Healthy project requires additional funding and industry partners to further the important work being done. The project involves using microelectronics and a macro lens camera to take

photos of bees entering a hive.

Around 10,000 photos are required to train a Machine Learning (ML) model which can then identify Varroa mite in-between segments on the bee’s body and alert the apiary owner.

The Bee Healthy Project is quite a unique approach when compared to the current method of containment.

“The Government is focused on the current outbreak in the Hunter

Valley and doing a great job of containing it but who is looking at the future threat?

“The current outbreak will cost industry millions of dollars but if it manages to spread we could be looking at a 70-Billiondollar cost to agriculture that relies on pollination” Gregg said.

Gregg said this is not a fix-all cure-all plan but it can absolutely be a part of the solution in what needs to be a collaborative effort.

According to Gregg we are in the age of accessible affordable technology and what would have cost enormous amounts of money in the past is now far more achievable on readily available consumer-based level.

“Whilst I would like to partner up with industry and universities who will be able to provide critical funding I’ve been fortunate that a Mac Mini is more than capable” Gregg said. The project requires

roughly a further 50 thousand dollars to prove the concept and move from a prototype to a product.

Gregg is planning a trip to New Zealand in the near future so he can safely collect data on hives with a presence of varroa. Photos of bees with Varroa present are required to train the ML model.

“I can’t do that in Australia due to the risk of spreading and transporting the mite outside of the containment zone” Gregg said.

Gregg would like to thank Dr Andrew Tridgell of the Australian National University for the help he has provided as well as the Canberra Regional Bee Keepers Association for being a wealth of knowledge and providing access to their apiary. Prospective industry partners or those who wish to help with the project can contact Gregg through his website www. thebeehealthyproject.org

RESEARCH: The hive in which bees are monitored for Varroa Mite in the Bee Healthy Project.

SCIENCE: A photograph taken of the bees to help identify any mites.

Use of indicator plants

LOCAL NEWS IN MORE WAYS THAN EVER

By Stu Burge, Agronomist

Plants are a highly useful and reliable guide into what is happening in a farmer’s paddock or the broader environment in general.

While we agricultural scientists like to think we “know it all”, more often than not mother nature is a far better and accurate predictor of the physical environment.

This relates not only to that which is happening above ground but far more importantly the “great unknown” below the soil surface.

From an agricultural perspective there are a number of plant species which are classic “indicator species” which provide some insight into various environmental, soil or farm management attributes.

The more notable include the following:

Kangaroo Grass

As people may be aware I have written a large and comprehensive report entitled The Monaro Kangaroo Grass Strategy”.

The fundamental premise of this 30 000 word thesis is that Kangaroo Grass can and should be used as a readily identifiable indicator of higher conservation native Grassland which retains significant ecological properties.

One of the main reasons

for this is because Kangaroo Grass (pictured) is highly sensitive to raised fertility (that is, through the application of fertilisers) and heavy grazing pressure. Its presence therefore indicates an ecologically significant area worthy of conservation as a consequence of minimal “disturbance” or farming inputs.

Legumes / Clover

Probably at the other end of the spectrum, the presence of clovers or legumes suggest that they have been introduced or sown.

This usually has been associated with the application of fertilisers and in particular phosphorus and or sulphur.

There are a range of such legumes species with the most noteworthy and widespread being sub clover, white clover and trefoil or burr medic.

As opposed to the Kangaroo Grass scenario, clovers are not or rarely found in higher conservation locations because the raised fertility and legumes cause the Kangaroo Grass to disappear.

Sorrel

Sorrel is often claimed to be an indicator of soil acidity or low pH soils.

Certainly it is far more common and dominant in sedimentary soils

which are characterised by being acidic with low pH and raised levels of soluble Aluminium.

That said, before you rush out to spread lime to raise the pH and correct the acidity I would alert you to research I conducted at Braidwood whereby the application of lime at rates up to 2.5 tonnes per hectare made the sorrel grow bigger and better than ever …?!

While Spiny RushJuncus acutus – (pictured) may appear to be it is not a grass as such but is botanically a Juncus.

These are tufted perennial clump forming plants which grow in a dome shape to about 1-1.2 metres in height with conspicuous sharp pointed leaves.

From an agricultural perspective, Spiny Rush is a classic indicator of poor drainage and is usually found therefore along drainage lines or poorly drained areas within a paddock or the landscape.

Over the past few years of heavy rainfall Spiny Rush have become especially prominent and present in the most unusual locations in the landscape providing a real clue as to drainage lines.

Pasture species selection is important in areas where Spiny Rush can be found and “never ever soe lucerne which hates “wet feet” …

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Spiny Rush

Spiny Rush can be an indicator of poor drainage.

From risk to reward for beef producers grazing winter pastures

Grass tetany (hypomagnesaemia) is one of the leading causes of mortality in adult cows in south-eastern Australia and is estimated to cost $13.7 million in lost production annually.1

Autumn and winter of 2021 and 2022 were two of the most challenging grass tetany seasons on record, with some regions in southern Australia reporting cattle losses in the thousands.

Although Monaro producers are expected to experience a drier winter compared to recent years, the AusFarm Nutrition Products (ANP) team are reminding producers to be vigilant this year when grazing lush green pasture or running cattle on soils that are low in magnesium and other essential minerals.

On the back of two challenging seasons in a row, Micheal Savli, ANP’s Technical Manager, is determined to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself in 2023. “Last year was a shocking year for grass tetany, we heard reports of some regions losing cattle in the thousands.”

“This season is shaping up to be very similar, and I’m going to do what I can to prevent the same thing from happening again,” Mr Savli said.

“With the onset of grass tetany being so sudden, and the first symptom usually being death, it is important to understand how to prevent the disease from occurring in the first place.”

The successful prevention of grass tetany can be achieved by a multifactorial approach that aims at:

1. A llowing animals access to continuous supplies of adequate levels of magnesium

2. Maximising absorption of magnesium in the gastrointestinal tract by delivering available sources of magnesium

3. Elevating the body magnesium status of animals with a magnesium supplement well before grass tetany is recognised

4. Identifying agronomic practises that can reduce absorption or interfere with normal magnesium metabolism.

Mr Savli points out that the right supplement is also a key consideration.

“It’s important to understand that not all magnesium supplements are equal, and it’s valuable to know what you’re feeding and whether it’s the best solution for you.”

Recent studies have shown that on top of reducing the risk of grass tetany, feeding the right magnesium supplement can boost feed conversion efficiency and liveweight gains in livestock grazing green feed and low magnesium pastures.

James Waugh and the team at South East Rural Supplies in Cooma can assist with a customised management program to lower the risk of grass tetany and boost production over the cooler months.

ANP’s HiMag range not only reduces the risk of grass tetany but boost’s feed efficiency, live weight gain and milk production.

StockGro-HiMag is a high magnesium, molasses based, liquid feed supplement specifically designed to assist in the control

of grass tetany while achieving rapid weight gain in cattle grazing winter pastures.

StockMins-BoviMag is a highly palatable, weatherproof, loose-lick supplement offering magnesium from various sources to optimise magnesium availability and absorption by the animal.

StockMins-BoviMag can boost growth and prevent the onset of magnesium deficiencies such as grass tetany.

For producers looking to maximise production over winter, StockGro-HiMag and StockMins-BoviMag can also be

supplied with the inclusion of Bovatec®, an ionophore lasalocid that has been shown to generate up to 14% extra growth in livestock grazing lush green pasture.2 Don’t wait until it’s too late, talk to the team at South East Rural Supplies today and turn your winter grazing risk into production reward.

1. Priority list of endemic diseases for the red meat industry - 2022 update. Meat and Livestock Australia, 2022. 2. Zoetis Data on file. ®Bovatec is a registered product of Zoetis Pty Ltd. StockGro-HiMag and StockMins-BoviMag are products of AusFarm Nutrition Products.

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