Jersey Australia is hosting the World Jersey Conference for the first time since 2011, with the three-week event attracting visitors from the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Jersey Islands, South Africa and Colombia. Koroit’s Paul Lenehan will host the visitors at his Koroit Murray Brook Jerseys. READ MORE PAGE 8
TOP CROP PAGE 2
TALKING TARIFFS PAGE 6 FARMERS FIND LOVE PAGE 15
THE 2024 broadacre cropping season in the Tatiara produced between average to below average results across the area.
There were some standout crops around the district, particularly WJ Langley and Sons who were the overall winners of the Tatiara Wheat Crop Competition achieving 6.2t/ha.
This result was off the back of exceptional retention of moisture since harvest in 2023 as well as ensuring the crop had the best chance of accessing this moisture throughout the season.
Time of sowing and crop establishment, as well as timely spraying and spreading were also large factors in this exceptional result.
A dry start, spring frost events and a dry finish to the 2024 season left farmers with many challenges to contend with but the results from such a challenging season really show how far farming practices have come.
Darcy King from Nutrien Ag Bordertown judged the crops and was impressed with what he saw. He spoke to growers at the awards evening about the challenges of the 2024 growing season and what challenges growers could expect to face in 2025.
One of the challenges he spoke about was herbicide residues from 2024 still having activity in the soil in 2025.
Limited in season and summer rainfall has resulted in low breakdown of these herbicides in the soil and may cause issues for growers seeding in 2025.
Minimal rainfall over the summer period also resulted in low mineralisation of soil organic carbon, leading to below average soil nitrogen reserves for 2025.
Mr King said this could be overcome by increasing in-crop nitrogen in 2025 if crop demand requires it, he also added deep soil nitrogen testing was the only way to accurately estimate soil nitrogen reserves.
Many farmers pulled back on fertiliser use and fungicide applications in 2024 due to dry seasonal conditions.
Mr King emphasised those who were able to conserve moisture by diligently spraying summer weeds, reducing soil tillage and retaining stubble cover, were rewarded with higher yields at seasons end.
Competition organisers thanked local businesses that sponsor and support the event, which has been running for many decades in the Tatiara.
Tatiara Wheat Crop Competition 2024 winners:
• Tatiara Insurance Grand Champion Trophy
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• Light
• Wheat Sample Competition: Darren Pilgrim
• RaboBank Gross Margin: Pietsch Trading and AG, Nathan Pietsch
JACK Taylor wants to follow in the footsteps of his parents – but he also wants to step out in another direction.
Jack farms with his parents Casey and Bonnie Taylor on their 600ha dairy and beef farm at Heathmere near Portland, milking a three-way cross of Jersey, Holstein and Swedish Reds.
And while Jack is keen to continue the family farming tradition, he also wants to add contracting to the mix and a DemoDAIRY Foundation scholarship is helping him to achieve his goals.
“I left school last year at the end of Year 10 and farming and contracting is my end goal,” he said.
“I really like working agricultural machinery so I thought why not make some money doing something that I like.”
Not that Jack minds day-to-day farming.
“You get to do something different every day,” he said. “I do a few milkings but mainly do tractor, young stock and paddock work.”
Jack is now studying his Certificate III in Agriculture at South West TAFE with the support
of a DemoDAIRY Foundation scholarship.
“I’ve only had two weeks so far but I’m finding it quite good and I’m enjoying it,” he said. “I think it will help with my long-term plans.”
The scholarship comes in handy with Jack having to travel nearly two hours each way every Monday to get to the TAFE campus at Glenormiston.
“The scholarship helped to pay part of the school fees which was a big help because it means I can afford fuel for the travel or to buy stuff I need for work.”
FARMERS and graziers in the Lower SouthEast and Green Triangle are looking to the skies after what has been an extremely difficult year.
With the advent of April, hopes and prayers are being directed heavenwards in the hope of a wet reply.
Looking back, it’s not difficult to see just what a challenge 2024 has been.
Across the area and over eight Bureau of Meteorology reporting stations, the average annual rainfall deficit was 26.1 per cent.
It was May when the trouble was baked in with an average deficit of 72.5 per cent below the long term average.
December was the best month over the past year with an overall average above the mean of 28.9 per cent however this was past the Spring growth period.
September was the other month with a positive overall 8.8 per cent above the average.
However, two locations (Edenhope, Vic and Bordertown, SA) were, respectively, negative at 9.5 per cent and 18.9 per cent below average for this critical growing month.
These two centres were also the only ones negative in December, highlighting the worst of the impact being in the northern parts of the overall district.
The figures are in the two tables and the gloomy graph.
Different impacts
While the season has been hard on the South Australian side of the border stress levels are probably at their highest in the Western District of Victoria, north of Hamilton.
The worry centres on stock water and on dams in particular.
As reported elsewhere in this edition, warnings have been issued by toxicologist Larry Walker about the problems with E.coli bacteria and blue-green algae, not to mention straight-
forward dry dams.
Similarly, Agriculture Victoria’s Land Management Extension Officer, Clem Sturmfels has been emphasising the problems with dams and the need for the improvement in stock water infrastructure.
He has pointed out that dam sizes in the Western District are often small, compared with many other parts of Australia, due to the area’s reliability of rainfall.
Mr Sturmfels has advocated for increasing capacity and/or building new dams.
It’s a different story in the Lower South-East.
While rainfall has been a huge challenge, the availability of subterranean water has come into its own.
Penola-based TDC principal and Real Estate Director Mark de Garis, told Agriculture Today that most farmers had managed to put some hay away in the spring of 2024 but that now they would be looking for a good Autumn break.
He said that the aquifers were holding up but many farmers had deepened their bores as a result of ten dry years.
He also pointed out that many farmers were close to using their full irrigation entitlements
for the season.
On the livestock front, Mr de Garis said that “If it rolls into a normal season, stock will be hard to find.”
He pointed out that rains in New South Wales and Queensland had increased demand and that this would most likely follow suit with good precipitation in the Lower South-East.
As far as demand for farmland is concerned, Mark de Garis said that farmers “…would need their confidence to be buoyed (by rainfall)…” before considering land purchase.
Here’s hoping.
SHEEP producers are always on the lookout for innovations in breeding as well as coping with the vagaries of rainfall and sundry other production stressors.
On top of this merinos are under pressure from weak wool prices and a move towards shedding (cleanskin) sheep.
For merino flockmasters, continuing sound sheepmeat prices are crystallising a focus on combining fine wool and prime lamb production rather than giving wool production absolute priority.
In this regard, an interesting and informative field day was held recently at the Cavendish and Mooralla.
The Elders Breeding and Feeding for the Future meeting brought together a group of about thirty district farmers to hear from experts and to discuss critical aspects of sheep production.
The day had a dual focus on lamb and ewe health as well as the type of sheep needed to combine both meat and fine wool production.
The event was organised and facilitated by Rod Evans, Livestock Production Advisor at Elders, Hamilton.
Feed supplement suppliers, Debenham Australia were a sponsor.
Two key themes were covered: firstly, Feeding Ewes and Lambs and secondly, Merinos for Meat.
Feeding Ewes and Lambs Andrew Debenham and Steve Ralston from Debenham Australia were the first to speak.
Debenham Australia has its roots in the early 1960s when David Debenham began advising farmers on soil, plant, and animal nutrition.
Today, the business is run by Andrew and Ian Debenham, who have expanded it into a national operation.
The company supplies 25%; of the national dairy herd and has a manufacturing plant in Albury, NSW.
Their products include Nutrifeed pelletised feed additives and Tech-Flo foliar nutrients, which help address mineral deficiencies in pastures.
The company is expanding its involvement with sheep and wool production.
Steve Ralston focused on key areas affecting sheep nutrition.
He highlighted the importance of rumen adaptation, liver health, ewe pre-birth weight, weight loss post-birth, and the immune system.
The next speaker, Matthew Meggison, Ruminant Manager with BEC Feed Solutions, discussed the risks associated with coccidiosis, an intestinal disease of lambs caused by a protozoan parasite.
He emphasised the increasing cost of Vita-
min E, which is essential for immune function and muscle health.
Matthew also spoke about Bovatec, a feed additive containing ionophores, which help control coccidiosis and improve feed efficiency.
He noted that resistance to ionophores has been observed in the USA, raising concerns about their long-term efficacy.
A report by the Joint Expert Technical Advisory Committee on Antibiotic Resistance, which rejoices in the racey acronym “JETACAR” was published in 1999.
The report investigated the impact of antimicrobial medicine use in livestock and its contribution to antibiotic resistance.
The report recommended prudent antibiotic use and led to tighter regulations around antimicrobial use in food-producing animals.
Rob Inglis, National Senior Livestock Production Advisor with Elders, then addressed the audience.
He stressed that ewe growth during puberty is critical, as the skeleton doubles in size during this period, impacting future productivity.
Next, Larry Walker of Southern Scientific Services Pty Ltd warned of alarmingly high bacteria counts in farm dams, stating they were “off the scale.”
Dams, he said, are currently the number one concern for sheep producers due to con-
it was better to improve the profitability of Merinos rather than replace them with another breed.
His breeding objectives include producing premium meat and wool, achieving high reproductive rates, maintaining low costs, and running high stocking rates plus, of course, avoiding mulesing.
Andrew also emphasised the importance of fat cover in sheep, stating that “it’s expensive to get but cheap to keep.”
He noted a positive correlation between body fat and staple strength, making fat an important trait in dual-purpose Merinos.
Following the discussion, attendees visited “Yama” at Mooralla, home to Rick and Marni Luhrs of Mooralla Merinos.
Rick and Marni manage 5000 Merino ewes, with an average fibre diameter of 18.7 microns. Their flock consists of 500 elite stud ewes, 2500 commercial self-replacing ewes, and 2000 ewes joined to terminal sires.
Each year, they join 700 ewe lambs for late spring lambing, achieving an impressive weaning percentage of 120%.
Mooralla Merinos is based on Trigger Vale bloodlines and collaborates closely with Andrew Bouffler regarding the sale of breeding ewes.
The Luhrs’ breeding philosophy is centred on achieving the best outcomes for animals, land, and people.
tamination risks.
Larry also warned about blue-green algae blooms, which thrive in warmth, sunlight, and high phosphate and nitrate levels.
Regular trough cleaning is essential, and sodium hypochlorite or chlorine dioxide can be used to treat water sources.
Rod Evans also suggested aeration systems as an additional measure to improve water quality.
Another concern raised were the toxicity risks from Perennial Ryegrass and Phalaris as autumn regrowth begins after the seasonal break.
Larry advised using small advance mobs as sentinels in paddocks about to be grazed, akin to canaries in a coal mine, in order to detect early signs of toxicity.
Merinos for Meat
Andrew Bouffler of Trigger Vale Poll Merino and White Suffolk Stud, located in the Lockhart district of the NSW Riverina was the next speaker.
While on a Nuffield Scholarship and strolling through Time Square, New York, Andrew saw an image of a mulesed lamb which, for publicity purposes, was exaggeratedly gory.
The sight shocked him, prompting him to focus on breeding wrinkle-free Merinos that could produce a high-quality carcass lamb.
Rather than shifting enterprises, he decided
In 2015, they began recording full pedigrees and Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs).
A shift in breeding direction in 2011 led to their alignment with the ZQ Merino program in 2018, after which they ceased mulesing.
In 2022, they joined the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), which is internationally recognised for its high standards in animal welfare and environmental stewardship.
Mooralla Merinos may well hold the key to growing high-quality wool while simultaneously achieving premium prices for prime lambs.
Conclusion
The Elders Breeding and Feeding for the Future meeting provided valuable insights into feeding strategies, genetic selection, and environmental challenges facing sheep producers.
With expert input from nutritionists, geneticists, and water quality specialists, the discussions highlighted practical, science-based solutions for improving sheep health, productivity, and profitability.
By embracing improved nutrition, responsible breeding, and sustainable management practices, Australian sheep producers can position themselves for success in an industry which is, by necessity, evolving.
Key takeaways from the field day are adaptability and science.
WHY are there so few shedding sheep in the Limestone Coast and Green Triangle?
This is an anomaly when across Australia, the popularity of cleanskin sheep has been growing rapidly in recent years.
The underlying reason is simple – economics.
Most shedding sheep breeds don’t perform in wet conditions.
The answer to the problem may be Nudie sheep, which are specifically bred for highrainfall zones.
The Economics
The principal problems are worms and footrot – major economic negatives.
Continuing on the economic front, it is well known that the labour side of wool production, most notably shearing, and the additional issue of shearer scarcity, have made things difficult, if not nightmarish.
There are reports of shearers charging up to $10 per head, which, when set against a greasy high-micron wool price often below $5 per kilogram, provides little incentive for a prime lamb producer to persevere with wool.
Add to this the problems of flystrike, and it is not difficult to see the attraction for lamb producers of sheep that shed their fleece annually but produce marketable lambs at high weaning rates.
The missing piece of the puzzle is wormand footrot-resistant sheep that shed their fleece while producing a high weaning percentage of heavy prime lambs.
Where sheep are not troubled by worms or footrot, labour costs associated with these problems can fall significantly, adding grist to the economic mill.
Background
Demand for shedding sheep started in the early 2000s and accelerated through the 2010s as an array of sheep breeds were introduced to Australia (please refer to the table).
These were trialled by graziers who were either exiting Merinos or wishing to avoid the shearing and management costs of composites and crossbreds.
Many of the sheep introduced to Australia had a strong African or West Asian influence in their genetics.
Some of these sheep were highly successful in the low-rainfall areas of inland Australia but struggled in the high-rainfall zones such as the Limestone Coast and Green Triangle.
An added attraction of shedding sheep was that overall labour costs could be reduced, and the ratio of Dry Sheep Equivalents (DSEs) to a labour unit improved, in other words, an increase in productivity.
The take-up of shedding sheep southern Australia has largely focused on Dorpers and
Australian Whites.
The Dorper is a South African breed originally developed from crosses of Dorset Horns with Black-headed Persian sheep.
They have many strengths; however, worm and footrot resistance are not among them, and consequently, they are unsuited to highrainfall areas.
The Australian White, originates from crosses of Dorpers, Van Rooys (also South African), Poll Dorsets, and Texels.
Although successful in drier areas, they too have not coped as well in high-rainfall districts.
This is where Nudie breeders have identified a need and addressed the challenge of breeding a productive prime lamb sheep that sheds its wool and can thrive in wet conditions.
The Sheep Breeders
Nudies are shedding sheep based on careful selection, with a genetic foundation derived from Wilshire Horn (an English shedding breed) and meaty Coopworths (from New Zealand, themselves based on footrot-resistant Romneys and fecund Border Leicesters).
The development of these sheep was instigated by John Keiller from the Cashmore Park stud near Portland (VIC) with Matt Kelly from the Low Footprint Stud at Croxton East near Hamilton (VIC).
Nudies were also taken up by Ewan Haldane of Haldane Genetics, who has farms at Port Lincoln (SA) and Port Fairy (VIC).
All three breeders keep in contact and trade sheep for their breeding programmes.
John Keiller and Matt Kelly were one year apart at Longrenong College at Horsham (VIC), while Ewan Haldane has a degree in sports science from Deakin University and is pursuing postgraduate studies in animal genetics at the University of New England (UNE).
The Approach
The approach adopted in breeding Nudies, Matt Kelly told Agriculture Today, is to aim for a “…high-rainfall adapted shedding sheep.”
This clear objective responds to the troubles experienced in high rainfall areas by sheep which have a high content of African genetics.
Another objective is the breeding of heavier
lambs, which are sought after by the meatworks.
John Keiller commented, “The shape they (lamb producers) see now is…what the market desires.”
In other words, the development of Nudies is focused on market demands.
The problem of footrot is addressed by breeding for an upright foot conformation with ample separation between toes to allow for air circulation and drainage.
Matt Kelly points out that foot conformation, rather than foot colour, is a key factor in footrot avoidance.
In addition, sheep with a genetic predisposition to developing antibodies that resist bacterial attack from footrot are selected.
Sheep are also rigorously screened for worm resistance, with the objective of reducing or even completely avoiding the drenching of ewes over 18 months of age.
A shedding research project was run from 2022 to 2024 jointly between Cashmore Park, Low Footprint, and Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA).
Behind all this was deep analysis of maternal and terminal sheep genetic data in Australia and New Zealand.
As far as the environment is concerned, Nudies are being developed on high-rainfall country with a harsh winter climate, with the clear objective of giving Limestone Coast and Green Triangle lamb producers a sheep tailored to both the district and the market’s demands.
In short, the approach is scientific.
The Results Nudie sheep are showing highly promising results, with weaning percentages in excess of 150%.
Worm resistance and footrot occurrence figures from these breeding flocks are excellent.
The high resistance to both worms and footrot saves money spent on both materials and labour, with an attendant productivity gain.
Similarly, the shedding of wool removes the infrastructure and administration costs of shearing and crutching, as well as the need to treat sheep for flystrike.
The reduction in revenue from sacrificing wool production is likely offset by the savings in labour and chemicals.
Furthermore, by avoiding the need for a shearing shed, the expansion of a prime lamb enterprise onto additional country, whether leased or purchased, is far easier, giving a farm business greater scope for growth and optimised labour costs.
It looks likely that we will be seeing more shedding sheep closer to the coast.
AUSTRALIA’S food market appears to be “normalising” after a “chaotic” five-year period – impacted by factors including Covid, supply chain disruptions and inflation – Rabobank says in a newly-released report.
However, it is a “new normal” , characterised by altered consumer-purchasing behaviour and extensive structural change to the market and supply chains, the agribusiness banking specialist says.
And primary producers and food and beverage manufacturers operating in the Australian consumer market are having to respond to this evolving “food ecosystem”
In the report, Australia’s food market is embracing the new normal, the bank’s RaboResearch division said March 2025 marked the “five-year anniversary” of the start of a tumultuous period for the Australia’s food market.
Report author, RaboResearch senior analyst – consumer foods Michael Harvey said this had been caused by a “convergence of forces” , including the global Covid pandemic, labour market upheavals, global and local supply chain bottlenecks, geopolitical conflicts driving commodity and energy prices higher and local weather-related supply losses.
“As result, we saw a period of reduced food and ingredient availability, multi-decade high food price inflation and changes in consumer behaviour, including a switch away from out-ofhome dining to eating in,” he said.
“All of this happened amid an unprecedented decline in real disposable incomes for Australian households, which changed foodpurchasing behaviour, particularly among lower-income younger Australians.”
The operating environment has been challenging for all players in the food market – from
primary producers and manufacturers to retailers and food service operators, Mr Harvey said.
These challenges have reshaped the landscape for all stakeholders in the Australian food market.
“The food market environment appears to be normalising in 2025,” Mr Harvey said.
“However, behind the scenes, there has been extensive structural change to the market and supply chains across the food service and food retail sector.
“These changes are creating opportunities for suppliers, driven by evolving consumer preferences and tastes.
“And all food and beverage suppliers will need to understand the implications of these changes for their respective businesses in order to respond.”
The report said there have been “ongoing shifts inside the grocery basket” with “most households” having altered their food-purchasing behaviour to adjust to cost-of-living pressures.
And this has supported the food retail channel – with consumers increasingly opting to eat in – as well as helping discounters win market share and retail ‘private label’ (own brand) penetration gain momentum.
“A recent, prolonged trend has been a shift to in-home meal preparation and entertaining, which has provided a boost to the retail channel,” Mr Harvey said.
“While tighter household budgets have also influenced consumers’ purchasing decisions inside the grocery channel.”
The report said key consumer trends observed included: trading down to supermarket private label/’own-brand’ versions of products, shifting from fresh to long-life or frozen goods,
increased purchasing of promotional/discounted items, engaging in multi-store shopping and reducing volumes bought or delaying purchases.
The report said food retailers had been responding to these shifts in consumer behaviour by working with suppliers to ‘innovate’ offerings, including ‘meals to go’ and healthy snacking products, as well as investing in ecommerce and online platforms and expanding ‘own brand’ private label options.
Mr Harvey said private label penetration was now regaining some momentum in the market, after being negatively impacted by Covid-related supply chain disruptions.
“As we go into 2025, private labels are regaining market share and conditions are favourable for this trend to continue,” he said.
“Consumers will remain value conscious and retailers are focused on growing their own brand offerings while ensuring supply chain resiliency to support their product ranges.”
Australia’s food service sector – including restaurants, cafes and bars – has been slow to recover from the pandemic and other challenges seen in the past five years, the report said.
“This is understandable given the Australian economy emerged from lockdowns gradually, with more people working from home and with real incomes squeezed,” Mr Harvey said.
“As a result, consumers’ propensity to spend on dining out has decreased in the current economic context.”
He said this also left some clear winners and losers within the food service sector.
“Cafes, bars and full-service restaurants have been hit the hardest, experiencing significant declines in performance,” he said.
“Conversely, limited-service and chain operators have emerged as the winners, with Australian consumers increasingly opting for takeaway, delivery and drive-through services.”
Overall, he said, the food service sector had also struggled with margin pressures compounded by wage inflation and higher input costs.
Looking ahead, Mr Harvey said, an increase in foot traffic and a recovery in restaurant margins will be essential to stabilise performance in the Australian food service sector.
”While there are early signs of improvement, dining out will remain a luxury for many Australian households until household budgets substantially improve,” he said.
Key trends of note in the Australian food service sector, the report said, included: the rapid expansion of some global quick service restaurant brands, rising popularity of bubble tea, enhanced focus on customer convenience and time saving, ongoing expansion of sushi brands and consumer preference for barista-made coffee.
Overall, the report said the Australian consumer food market remained highly attractive for food and beverage companies and farm suppliers, with a growing population and a highly-urbanised consumer base.
“As a result, the domestic food market is expanding in volume and value, and food purchasing – including food service dining – generally outperforms other discretionary spending,” Mr Harvey said.
“And this expansion also comes amid potential trade disruptions and access to offshore markets.”
AMERICAN shoppers can expect to pay more at the checkout for Australian Beef, due to the introduction of a 10 per cent tariff on all Australian goods imported into the United States of America, including beef and lamb.
However, Meat & Livestock Australia has vowed it’s commitment to navigating the challenges the tariff will pose.
Managing director Michael Crowley said that MLA and the industry had already been working on this issue throughout 2025 with the formation of an industry taskforce and collaboration and communication with the Australian Government.
“The role of MLA was to grow global demand for our beef, sheepmeat and goatmeat by supporting improved access to global
markets, developing more markets alongside commercial partners, promoting Australian red meat’s strong attributes as a guaranteed safe, healthy and delicious product and creating demand with high impact in-country marketing campaigns,” he said.
“US tariffs will impact the prices paid by American families and may have flow on impacts on the supply chain.
“It is unlikely these changes will make a difference to retail prices here in Australia.”
Mr Crowley said Australia continued to respond to strong demand for high-quality red meat globally, exporting record amounts in 2024 to over 100 countries.
“The demand outlook for Australian red meat remains very strong and we maintain
favourable market access conditions with over 85 per cent of exports covered by free trade agreements,” Mr Crowley said.
In further stimulating this demand, MLA, via its International Markets program, invests in trade and consumer marketing programs along with maintaining an active presence in North America (USA and Canada), Europe (United Kingdom), North Asia (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea), South East Asia (Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, The Philippines and Malaysia), and the Middle East (UAE and Saudi Arabia).
The US was Australia’s largest red meat export market in 2024, worth A$6.07B, and accounted for almost one third of Australia’s total global exports.
This trade has been underpinned by the
Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement, which has afforded Australia a tariff free import status.
“Despite the imposition of 10 per cent tariff, the US will continue to buy Australian red meat to supplement their requirement for high quality protein,” said Mr Crowley.
Australia’s other major markets include Greater China, Japan and Korea, worth A$3.9B, A$2.6B and A$2.5B respectively. The Middle East / North Africa Market is worth A$2B and offers demand growth opportunities.
“MLA will continue working with industry to support the wind back of tariffs and to grow market demand globally. The global market outlook remains very strong for Australian red meat,” Mr Crowley said.
THE South Australian government is in “active discussions” about additional assistance regarding bringing donated hay to SA farmers from Victoria.
Recently it was announced a number of hay bales were waiting further government funding to bring 200 truckloads of donated fodder to farmers in need.
South Australian cross-border commissioner Kelly-Anne Saffin said she acknowledged the drought conditions and the “genuine hardships” being felt.
“My office is aware there are five hay runs which have been funded by the state government which includes interstate hay,” she said.
“There are three that are still active and targeted at the moment and finally there are active discussions occurring about additional assistance.”
Ms Saffin said she was also a member of the Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA) drought roundtable and it was clear conditions were “being felt” around the region.
“Rain does not acknowledge a state border,” Ms Saffin said.
The not-for-profit organisation Aussie Hay Runners stated it was currently working alongside the Minister for Primary Industries Clare Scriven to ensure the support reached those in need.
According to a statement, Aussie Hay Runners did not have trucks “loaded and held” at the border.
“We do, however, have 200 truckloads of donated fodder available to support primary producers who have reached out to us for assistance,” the statement said.
“We have also advocated for additional transportation subsidy funding to be shared among all charity hay runners to help cover freight costs and support our efforts.”
They said the organisation acknowledged and appreciated the “many other charities and organisations” which worked tirelessly in supporting South Australian primary producers.
“Collaboration, not division, is key to ensuring the best outcomes for our rural communities,” the statement said.
Following ongoing concerns, Independent
Members of Parliament from across the state consecutively signed a written letter addressed to the state government, requesting immediate assistance.
Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell and Member for MacKillop Nick McBride signed the letter of request.
Speaking with SA Today, Mr Bell acknowledged how South Australian farmers were “doing it tough” and faced “severe drought conditions” which was putting pressure on their livelihoods.
“Right now, there is hay available in Victoria that could provide much-needed relief, but the cost of transport is preventing it from reaching those who need it most,” Mr Bell said.
“We need to do more to ensure that assistance is not just available but also accessible.
“If measures like a fuel subsidy can help get this hay to our farmers, then that’s a small price to pay to support those who put food on our tables and keep our rural communities strong.”
Mr McBride also encouraged the state government to assist the charity stating he hoped it would “reconsider its position” in relation to the assistance package available.
“It is not enough and more needs to be done now - not in three months’ time when the budget is handed down,” he said.
“Drought support can take many forms, it is my belief that those who are willing to trans-
port hay should be given the assistance required to make that happen.”
Ms Scriven said she and Premier Peter Malinauskas had been meeting with famers across the state to “hear directly” from primary producers as they experienced some of the “driest conditions on record”
“Through establishing the Drought Advisory Committee and running eight Drought Roundtables in locations including the South East, Mid North, Murraylands, Eyre Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, Barossa Valley and the Fleurieu Peninsula, we were able to design a targeted $18m Drought Support package announced at the end of last year,” Ms Scriven said.
“I have also met regularly with peak industry bodies and have met with regional councils.”
She said in addition, the federal government had “extensive supports” in place for farmers facing hardship.
“As part of our $18 million drought support package, the state government allocated $2 million to assist charities with the freight costs of transporting fodder to assist farmers with feeding livestock,” she said.
“This has seen hundreds of truckloads of hay reach primary producers across the state, providing some immediate relief as we navigate these challenging times.
“There are still three charities operating hay runs over the coming weeks, Farmers Relief Agency, Rural Aid and Rapid Relief team.”
FUTURE livestock owners and agricultural participants in South Australia will be able to gain experience with the handheld scanning technology used for the electronic identification (eID) of sheep and farmed goats thanks to a new rebate available to eligible South Australian schools.
eID for sheep and farmed goats is replacing the visual tags and mob-based system to improve the accuracy and efficiency of livestock traceability.
The state government has invested $10.2 million into a range of assistance measures to ensure the supply chain has the essential equipment to meet their reporting and recording obligations under the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS).
Schools, tertiary institutions and colleges that have an agriculture program that includes a focus on livestock management for sheep and goats will be able to apply for a 75% rebate on the purchase of a stick reader.
The equipment will assist students in learning about eID and the reporting requirements as future livestock owners, farm managers, primary producers, leaders and professionals in the livestock industry.
The Sheep and Goat eID Implementation Essential Equipment Rebate for schools will be open until 5pm (ACST) Monday 30 June 2025.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven said the govermnnet had listened to stakeholders.
“We have listened to the feedback from the Industry Advisory Committee and acted promptly to create the dedicated Essential Equipment Rebate for Schools to support their livestock management educational programs,’ she said.
“It will help ensure our state’s future livestock industry members are familiar with eID and the use of scanning equipment to support their NLIS reporting and recording obligations.
“Electronic identification for sheep and farmed goats will ensure we have the best possible traceability system, which is crucial to protecting our $4.9 billion livestock industry in the event of an outbreak of an emergency animal disease such as foot and mouth disease (FMD).”
All sheep and farmed goats born on or after 1 January 2025 need to be identified with
a NLIS accredited eID tag before leaving their property of birth.
Producers who conduct property-toproperty (P2P) movements must record individual movements of sheep and farmed goats identified with eID tags on the NLIS database.
The South Australian Government’s industry support measures include: PointofSale Tag Discount Scheme provides sheep and farmed goat producers with a $0.95 discount for NLIS accredited eID tags at the time of purchase for white tags in 2025, allowing producers to access this support in a fast and convenient way. Ends 30 June 2025.
• Expanded eID Device Rebate (20232025) allows sheep and farmed goat producers to apply for 50 per cent rebate up to a cap of $0.95 (GST exclusive) for NLIS accredited eID tags purchased between 1 January 2023 and 30 June 2025 that are not aligned to the NLIS yearofbirth colour system. Closes 30 June 2025.
Sheep and Goat eID Essential Equipment and Infrastructure Rebate (Saleyards and Processors) provides support of up to 75
per cent rebate of the cost of essential equipment and infrastructure required by saleyards and processor to implement eID.
• Sheep and Goat eID Essential Equipment Rebate (Producers) provides SA producers with a 75 per cent rebate on the cost of essential equipment to assist with recording property to property movements on the NLIS database.
• Sheep and Goat eID Essential Equipment Rebate (Agents) is to assist South Australian livestock agents with the purchase cost of essential equipment required to notify stock movements under the NLIS. Agents can apply for a 75% rebate to a maximum of $7,000 (ex GST) for the cost of essential equipment including pocket reader, stick reader or wand, mobile panel reader and the scanner component of a weigh crate.
• The eID Advantage Program is a $900,000 State Government investment to assist with education and improving producer knowledge on changing responsibilities for identifying and moving sheep and farmed goats. For further information on all eID implementation support programs visit pir.sa.gov. au/eid-rebate-schools
FOUR prominent Western Victorian Jersey breeders will open their herds to international visitors during April as part of a world tour.
Jersey Australia is hosting the World Jersey Conference for the first time since 2011 and the three-week event is attracting visitors from United States, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Jersey Islands, South Africa and Colombia.
Master breeder Murray Brook Jerseys, Australia’s number one genetics merit herd White Star Jerseys, Warrion Jerseys and Dornoch Jerseys will be visited as part of the 2025 World Jersey Conference on April 10-13.
Jersey Australia general manager Glen Barrett said south-west Victoria was home to some of the best Jersey herds in the country.
“I think everyone will be impressed by what they see on local farms,” Mr Barrett said.
Paul and Lynette Lenehan established Murray Brook Jerseys near Koroit in 2000, building on Paul’s 35 years of breeding experience and his dedication to big, balanced cows with strong production.
The farm has achieved platinum awards every year since they were introduced and before that always managed gold, and the cows produce over 7000 litres with 620-640 kg/Ms.
Murray Brook Jerseys also contributes bulls to the A.I system, including Jamieo currently the number two proven bull in Australia, Mo Tie, Bosa Khan, Motown and this year Sheehan was added to the catalogues.
Con and Michelle Glennen’s White Star Jerseys at Noorat is a highly productive commercial herd that sits number one in the country for Balanced Performance Index, Health Weighted Index, Sustainability Index
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and
Australian Selection Index.
In the December 2024 ABV release, White Star Jerseys led the breed with a BPI of 270 and a SI of 577.
“Australian Jerseys are world class and it’s time the world saw more of them,” Mr Glennen said.
Lyn Parish’s Dornoch Jerseys has been rapidly rising through the BPI ranks over the past decade, peaking at number five on the latest list and Lyn believes she can go even higher.
Visitors to the Parish family’s Winchelsea farm nestled against the Otway National Park will see a herd that is constantly on the improve.
In the December BPIs release, Dornoch
achieved a 214 BPI score but preliminary tests indicate that it might go higher next time around.
The Parish family’s Jersey herd dates back to the late 1960s when Ernie and Jean Parish invested in stud heifers.
Sarah Chant’s Warrion Jerseys is nestled at the foot of Warrion Hill, just north of Colac.
The stud was founded in 1972 by Sarah’s grandparents, then managed by her parents for 25 years before being passed to her in 2017. The farm spans 600 acres, milking 260 cows in a split calving pattern and has emphasised building strong cows with udders that are a pleasure to milk.
While in the region, national and international visitors will also tour Genetics Austra-
lia’s Total Livestock Genetics bull collection facility at Camperdown and attend a sponsor’s expo and high-performance cow display at the Noorat showgrounds. They will also get to visit Warrnambool and the Great Ocean Road.
Jersey Australia is hosting the World Jersey Conference for the first time since 2011 and the three-week event is attracting visitors from United States, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Jersey Islands, South Africa and Colombia.
The tour started in Melbourne on April 6 and finishes in Sydney on April 22 and will take visitors across the Gippsland, south-west and northern regions of Victoria and the New South Wales south coast.
DURING a drought, supplementary feeding can maintain productivity while avoiding animal welfare and soil erosion problems.
Droughts often led to poor-quality pasture, lacking in energy, protein, specific vitamins or minerals and feeding of livestock, with grain, hay or silage can become necessary.
A good supplementary feeding program will improve production, as well as reduce grazing pressure on pastures and help control soil erosion.
Utilising feeders or troughs to ensure feed is off the ground not only maximises grain and roughage portions by reducing wastage but can also reduce the spread of disease.
Many things should be considered when choosing feeders or troughs, including capacity, shape, durability, ease of cleaning and capital outlay verses waste reduction.
A recent installation of CCP Civil and Precast popular U-style feeders on a farm at Yeo, near Colac, has reportedly saved the farming business around $350 each day from reduced feed losses. CCP has researched extensively to ensure the design of its various stock feeders and water troughs not only meet customer requirements but importantly help save money though reducing feed and water losses.
CP manufactures three styles of concrete stock
reinforced with steel mesh for extra durability. This is the U style
which is easy to clean and reduces waste.
CCP manufactures three styles of concrete stock feeders - all are reinforced with steel mesh for extra durability, open ended to ensure ease of cleaning and are designed to eliminate build-up of spoilt feed or manure under the feeders that attract vermin and flies.
CCP’s concrete water troughs are reinforced with steel mesh, range in size from 180 litres to 4550L. They come in round and rectangle shapes, with brass fittings. The
latest water trough in CCP’s range is the T180, a large rectangular trough that holds 820L which is perfectly suited for sheep and cattle. The T180 features a sliding ball float cover and a large three-inch outlet for ease of cleaning. Call in and see CCP Civil and Precast’s full range of feeders and water troughs today at 78 Forest Street, Colac East, or head online to www.ccpcivilprecast.com. au or contact the friendly team on (03) 5231 5231.
THERE is a glimmer of light at the end of the gloomy tunnel of carbon footprint reduction on the farm.
With the threat of ever-intensifying compliance pressures and the associated risk of price penalties or disbarment from overseas markets, farmers need a bit of good news.
Some has recently come to light from a French scientist leading a team of researchers at the John Innes Centre in Norwich, England.
Dr Myriam Charpentier leads a team that has been working on Medicago truncatula, the humble Barrel Medic, an annual clover-like legume used widely in mixed farming regimes in Australia.
Like all legumes, Barrel Medic “fixes” atmospheric nitrogen through a symbiotic (mutual back-scratching) relationship with a host of microorganisms called rhizobia and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which have their home in nodules on the medic’s roots.
Team Charpentier found that a gene mutation in the medic could, when it occurred in wheat, enhance colonisation of the wheat’s roots by AMF.
This is a significant breakthrough in what has been a long quest to use symbiotic partnerships as a natural alternative to inorganic fertilisers in major cash crops, including cereals and oilseeds, as well as legumes and pulses.
Dr Charpentier said: “Our findings hold great potential for advancing sustainable agriculture.
It is unexpected and exciting that the mutation we have identified enhances endosymbiosis in farming conditions because it offers the potential for sustainable crop production
using endosymbionts alongside reduced inorganic fertiliser use.”
Inorganic fertilisers
Inorganic fertilisers are essential to farming, but they come with some serious greenhouse gas-baggage.
It has been estimated that nitrogenous fertilisers are responsible for feeding 40 to 50% of the world’s population.
Their manufacture is almost universally dependent on the Haber-Bosch process, which was invented by Fritz Haber (Germany) in 1909 and industrialised by Carl Bosch (Germany) in 1913. Both were awarded separate Nobel prizes in 1918 and 1931, respectively.
The Haber-Bosch process is universally recognised as one of the greatest productivity leaps in the long and storied history of agriculture.
The bad news is that the Haber-Bosch process is energy-intensive and a major source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The table provides outline information about the manufacturing processes involved in the various types of nitrogenous fertiliser, making it clear how GHG emissions are deeply embedded in synthetic fertilisers and how much of a problem they pose.
So Myriam Charpentier’s use of the expression “unexpected and exciting” is appropriate.
An agronomist’s opinion
Andrew Speirs, Meridian Agriculture director, is a well-known agronomist active across the Lower South-East and the Green Triangle.
In an interview with Agriculture Today, he said that he had advised a number of farmers on emissions reductions but stressed how difficult it can be.
Regarding the research announcement, he said: “This is a great project. It started as bluesky which, by its very nature, means you don’t know what you are going to get at the outset, or you wouldn’t do it. It could make a huge difference.”
Indeed, it is an area with enormous upside for farmers, both in terms of cost reduction and emissions reduction.
It will be some time before it has been researched and developed to the point of availability in the paddock. However, it is some light at the end of the tunnel.
A pinprick perhaps, but light nonetheless.
IF you work on a farm and are frequently exposed to stock or find yourself constantly battling flu-like symptoms, there is a chance that you have Q fever.
The disease is caused by bacteria (Coxiella burnetii) and humans can contract it from sheep, cattle, goats and pigs or even contaminated dust particles.
Bacteria causes an illness which starts out like a flu but can increase in severity and turn into a chronic illness if left untreated.
Even domestic animals such as dogs, cats, birds, rodents and kangaroos can harbour the disease which can be treated by vaccination.
Rural Health senior lecturer Dr Jacquie Cotton said it was important to be aware of the risks that the disease pose, adding that it can have a “large impact on people’s lives”
“Q fever is a highly contagious disease that can result in significant and sometimes prolonged illness in humans,” she said.
“About 10-15 per cent of (affected) people are at risk of developing chronic fatigue lasting many years … severe illnesses can include lung infection, liver infection and heart disease.
Some of the symptoms of Q fever include fever (can last up to four weeks), headaches, sweats and chills, fatigue, muscle aches, cough, sore throat, chest/abdominal pain and even nausea.
Diagnosis of the disease can be determined via a series of blood tests, and antibiotic treatments are used to treat cases, with early diagnosis key to a fast recovery.
Vaccination is the best method of protection against Q fever, as well as using adequate
PPE equipment when interacting with stock.
“The bacteria live in the urine, faeces, birth fluids and placenta of infected animals and is spread from animal to human through inhaling dust and contaminated droplets,” Dr Cotton said.
“You can also pick up the bacterium via direct contact with your boots or clothing covered in dust or animal fluids, ingestion (eating without washing hands) and splashes of infected material into your mouth, eyes or a cut
on your skin.”
However, identifying Q fever in stock is more difficult than in humans, but Dr Cotton said there are a few different symptoms to keep an eye out for.
“The disease can impact the reproductive success of livestock,” she said.
“There may not be signs outside of reduced milk production, still births and abortion or reduced capacity.”
Vaccination is recommended for anyone 15 years or over who may be at risk of contracting Q fever.
The Q fever vaccination (Q-VAX) has been licenced for use in Australia since 1989 and has been highly effective to preventing contraction of the disease with an 83-100 per cent success rate.
Dr Cotton advised all locals who could be at risk of contracting the disease to go and get vaccinated.
“Due to a number of ways a person working with or around animals, livestock and livestock products can pick up Q fever, vaccination is the best method of protection,” she said.
“It is also important to establish whether you have previously had Q fever, for this reason vaccination is a two-stage process that involves screening prior to vaccination.”
Dr Cotton said it was beneficial to let your GP know about your background and working conditions if you suspect you have Q fever.
“Contact your local GP provider to find out when the next vaccination clinic is being held, the vaccine currently comes with a cost,” Dr Cotton said.
“The more they know about you and the environment you live and work, the better … with early diagnosis, treatment is simple and a good outcome can be expected.”
Common side effects from the vaccine include injection site reaction (pain, heat, swelling, redness, flu-like symptoms, headache and fever).
It is not a live vaccine and cannot cause Q fever infection, minor skin reactions are common 3-4 days after the initial skin test, however normally goes away after around seven days.
THE Green Triangle plantation sector has celebrated its progress and commitment to gender equality at the annual Women in Wood Fibre event recently, with a powerful message of empowerment and unity.
Hosted by Australian Bluegum Plantations (ABP), more than 100 industry members joined by political and agricultural leaders enjoyed a High Tea celebration at the Dunkeld Community Centre, recognising the achievements, resilience and contributions of women across the plantation sector and local community.
ABP general manager human resources Sheri Tarr said the sector was working hard to promote inclusive practices and policies, creating pathways to support female leadership and career progression.
“Creating gender equality starts by achieving a positive workplace culture, where ev-
eryone feels valued and respected. This is a primary objective for ABP and our broader industry which today has 30 per cent of its ex-
ecutive roles filled by women, matched by an ongoing increase in female employees, with a growth rate of 10 per cent per year since 2021,”
Ms Tarr said.
“It’s important we celebrate this progress whilst recognising there is still more that can be achieved - we must collectively lead and champion this change. Creating opportunities for women is not just about fairness, we must liberate the talent within our workforce, challenge the bias and barriers that holds us back, to create a more progressive and productive community where women can live, work and prosper without limits.”
Victorian Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence said the forestry industry was an important part of the economy.
“Plantation timber plays a vital role in supplying critical building materials for the hous-
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ing and construction sector in Victoria, and delivers a world class supply of wood chips for the pulp and paper industry,” Ms Spence said.
“It’s encouraging to see more women taking up roles in this essential industry, especially in leadership roles.”
ABC journalist and regional podcaster Kirsten Diprose hosted the festivities which were headlined by Commonwealth Game and Paralympic table tennis medallist Melissa Tapper who shared the story behind her meteoric rise from able-bodied to para-table tennis champion.
Long-standing timber ambassador, and Glenelg Shire Mayor Karen Stephens, was also recognised at the event for her inspirational work as a regional advocate, volunteer and mentor.
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RABOBANK’S Mount Gambier team brought the RaboTruck to the recent South East Field Days in Lucindale.
The RaboTruck provides a mobile experience and multipurpose space for sharing knowledge, and at the field days hosted presentations from RaboResearch analyst Pia Piggott and Rabobank’s Scott Jenkins.
Ms Piggott spoke about the potential impacts of proposed US tariffs on Australian agriculture. While Mr Jenkins shared insights into local land values.
The RaboTruck also hosted a panel discussion led by the local Rabo Client Council, which included George the Farmer founder Simone Kain and Michael Williams from Fat Farmers - Rural Health Initiative.
And the Kingston Community School used the truck’s kitchen space to undertake fundraising, serving barista-made coffee during the field days.
Since launching in 2019, the RaboTruck has travelled throughout rural and regional Australia, connecting farmers and communities.
NOTMAN Pasture Seeds, in collaboration with Cropmark Seeds, proudly unveils Rampage, a brand new short-term ryegrass tailored specifically for the region’s farmers.
After five years of meticulous development and rigorous dryland trials in southern Victoria, as well as extensive evaluations in New Zealand, Rampage emerges as the epitome of excellence all round production including its exceptional ability to maintain leafy, high growth well into late spring and early summer, presenting farmers with an extended period of lush growth and continue quality production.
“Rampage is the culmination of our dedication to meeting the diverse needs of South West farmers seeking superior homegrown feed for longer into the spring and summer,” according to Peter Notman of Notman Pasture Seeds.
“We believe Rampage is the all round package suiting a range of South West farmers chasing home grown winter and spring feed, plus the extra late in the growing season.”
The comprehensive trials at unequivocally demonstrated Rampage’s superiority over nine other annual ryegrasses, consistently outperforming in total feed consumption across the trials in five various years.
The hallmark of Rampage lies in its remarkable attributes: rapid establishment, robust winter growth, and sustained leafy production late. Peter Notman and his team meticulously monitored Rampage’s performance, conducting regular farm visits from April to December and growth season assessments to ensure its alignment with modern commercial farming standards.
“We visited the trials every 6-8 weeks through the year to check out which new annual ryegrass we should pick, so we kept an
Seeds
we saw on the market today,” Mr Notman said.
“The trial data showed Rampage had strong winter and spring production and rapid re-
why we decided to go with it.”
For those eager to learn more about Rampage and its production potential, Notman
ARE you a landholder with a paddock you’d like revegetated for the South-eastern Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo?
The Glenelg Hopkins CMA and Greening Australia are currently looking for landholders to help with the recovery of this endangered species through the revegetation of feeding habitat.
The South-eastern Red Tailed Black Cockatoo is only found in southwest Victoria and southeast South Australia and has a highly specialised diet, feeding only on the fruit of the Brown and Desert Stringybark trees (Eucalyptus baxteri and E. arenacea) and Buloke (Allocasuarina luehmannii).
“If you own land in the project area and would like to have habitat for the South-eastern
Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo revegetated on your property, we want to hear from you,” Glenelg Hopkins CMA senior biodiversity officer Ben Zeeman said.
The project area includes areas south of Harrow, west of Coleraine, north of Portland and east of the South Australian border.
For more information, or to register your interest please contact either Ben Zeeman at the Glenelg Hopkins CMA (0411 311 328, b.zeeman@ghcma.vic.gov.au) or Dave Warne at Greening Australia (DWarne@greeningaustralia.org.au).
This project is funded through the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust Program.
I am a lifelong member of rural communities, first 5 years at Tooperang and Riverland for 67 years. My parents worked a dairy property then irrigated food crops, and after five years in SAPOL, I returned home to join them. Together, we built a successful fruit packing and exporting business. In my late 30s, my wife and I started an irrigation business and developed irrigated cropping properties.
I have served as a community centre chairman for 12 years, a local government councillor for 8 years, and a member of district and regional health boards for 4 years. In 2009, I received a Citizen of the Year Special Award.
My varied experiences have given me a deep connection to the Barker Community and insight into how rural communities function.
YOUR IDEAS • WATER MANAGEMENT AND WELL BEING • RURAL HEALTH
• IR LAWS • GOVERNMENT WASTE. TRANSITIONING • WINE INDUSTRY
WMI Feeders is well recognised as building models that has revolutionised bale feeding. These high-quality models are easy to operate and need little maintenance and this has led to the considerable success of the Warrnambool, Victoria, manufacturer.
WMI’s range of bale feeders for hay and silage feeding are now first choice for livestock producers as they incorporate valuable feedback from farmers in the design.
The machines are built tough to withstand harsh farm conditions, with a simplistic design and quality welding. They include models able to handle both hay and silage, and square and round bales.
Certain design advantages that prompt buyers to choose a WMI built feeder. The WMI models require minimal upkeep and when maintenance is necessary, such as chain tensioning, it’s made very easy due to the units’ design.
WMI’s range include the Elite Round Bale Feeder, the Pa-Mick Square and Round Bale Feeder, the Champion 6 Round Bale Feeder, and the largest machine in the range, the Albybone, that can feed out 6 square bales or 5 round bales. Larger machines are also built to order.
WMI Feeders have dealers in all regions, ideally placed to serve local livestock producers, and in some cases these dealers have stock in their yards, ready for delivery.
All WMI Feeder models are Australian made for local conditions and are competitively priced. Farmers are encouraged to compare the quality and strength of WMI’s feeders as they pass the test every time.
For more information on the model range or how to order from your local dealer, call WMI on tel: 03 5560 5713 or email: sales@wmifeeders.com.au also see the full range at www.wmifeeders.com.au
THE challenges facing the agricultural industry today are immense.
From biosecurity risks and ongoing drought conditions to rising costs and unpredictable markets, farmers and agribusinesses are operating in an increasingly complex environment.
These pressures can take a significant toll, not only on businesses but also on the wellbeing of farming families and rural communities.
Now more than ever, having strong governance in place can make a difference.
A structured advisory or governing board, no matter how small, helps provide clarity and direction in uncertain times.
Good governance fosters discipline, ensures a focus on strategy, mitigates risks, and strengthens compliance.
An advisory board offers valuable external perspectives on key decisions, helping businesses navigate challenges with a strategic mindset.
The well-known saying “two heads are better than one” is particularly relevant when making complex business decisions. Having an independent Chairperson or advisory board also helps separate family dynamics from business operations, allowing for more objective decision-making.
For family-run farms and agribusinesses, financial stress and external pressures can strain relationships.
A governance structure ensures accountability, keeping the business focused on longterm sustainability rather than short-term crises. A well-formed advisory board, tailored to the needs of the business, can reduce consultancy costs and provide a trusted support network.
By establishing good governance, businesses can strengthen their resilience, improve decision-making, and create a frame-
WHAT started as a lockdown love affair blossomed into a beautiful romance for one Hamilton couple who recently tied the knot.
Lauren Wheeler and Ben Ballantyne were married by celebrant Tanya O’Brien at Condah’s Olde St Thomas Church on March 15.
After meeting during covid, they quickly fell in love, and they got engaged on the jetty at Lake Edward.
Ben wrote ‘will you marry me’ on a stick and threw it for their border collie Bernie to retrieve for Lauren, who then picked up the stick and saw what it had written on it.
She said yes and the pair tied the knot in a beautiful rustic ceremony.
Lauren walked down the aisle in a simple, yet beautiful A-line gown with a V neckline, paired with her grandmother’s pearls from her wedding day, where she was received by Ben, who was in a smart black suit and bow tie.
The pair agreed this was their favourite part of the day.
“Walking down the aisle to my now husband, listening to his heartfelt vows,” Lauren said.
“Seeing Lauren for the first time walk down the aisle,” Ben said.
Joining the couple on the day in the bridal party were maid of honour Alice Wheeler, bridesmaids Anna and Amelia Ballantyne, best man Edward Ballantyne and groomsmen Hamish Smith and Bo Delmenico.
The church was adorned in red, pink and orange flowers, with dahlias grown especially for the day by Ben’s mother, Shannon Ballantyne, featured.
At the conclusion of the ceremony the party moved to Lauren’s father’s, Leon Wheeler, property in Wallacedale.
It was a true farm centric occasion, with a marquee adorned with lights and bunting set up in the middle of the paddock.
The paddock also featured in another of Ben’s highlights- a lap of the paddock the bridal party took on the old Bedford truck
The red, pink and orange theme continued to the reception and was pulled together with darker wood and old rustic decorations, some of which was borrowed from Lauren’s brother and sister in law. The cake was made by the brides mum Sally Wheeler.
Seeing the reception was a highlight for Lauren who loved seeing everything “all put together just perfectly.”
Once the fun was over (and the long process of packing up was done!) Lauren and Ben headed for a relaxing honeymoon on the Great Ocean Road for a few days.
Celebrant: Tanya O’Brien
• Photographer: One Day Collective
•
