The Farmer January-February 2024 by The Intermedia Group

Muddying the Basin plan

Fresh take on renewable diesel

The medicinal cannabis industry

Getting techy on the farm

Famers fight against water buybacks

The future of farming energy

A budding industry for Aussie farmers

Different takes on agritech

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JA N UA RY- F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 4 / $ 9. 9 5

Heroes on the frontline Fighting fires and some advice on being prepared

www.loambio .com

Contents CURRENT AFFAIR

THE MUSTER NEWS AND EVENTS

ALWAYS BE DROUGHT READY

Red Imported Fire Ants enter NSW; The benefits of kangaroo meat; Trade Minister refuses free trade deal with EU; and a spotlight on the Tilba region � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 6

Karen and Peter Weller from Tamworth talk through their drought ready plan and why it always pays to be prepared � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 40

RENEWABLE DIESEL: THE FUTURE OF MUDDYING THE BASIN PLAN

FARMING ENERGY

Farming and environmental groups are at odds over the government’s proposed changes to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, involving water buybacks � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 22

How can switching to renewable diesel reduce our carbon footprint and enhance fuel security in farming � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 46

TRADE

THE BIG PICTURE

SHAPING A HOMEGROWN MEDICINAL THERE GOES MY HERO

CANNABIS INDUSTRY

Local heroes Robert Hines and Gary Smith teamed up with farm fire units and the Rural Fire Service to protect Tenterfield from a blaze rivalling Black Summer � � � � � � 30

Australian farmers are missing out on one of the fastest-growing medicinal cannabis markets in the world � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 50

BUSINESS

POLICY

QUEEN B LIGHTS THE WAY

This year, a new Independent Biosecurity Commissioner will be appointed to manage NSW’s pests, weeds and disease � � � � � � � � � � � � � 36

TAKING UP TECH

Precision agriculture has made a difference in farming businesses, but there are many changing approaches to agricultural technology � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 66

INNOVATION

THE BIG ISSUE

A NEW CHAPTER FOR BIOSECURITY

SPECIAL REPORT: AGRITECH

Cate Burton’s candle-making hobby blossomed into a successful business using the purest Australian beeswax � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 54

SPECIAL REPORT: EDUCATION

SPECIAL REPORT: SOIL HEALTH SAVE OUR SOILS

A significant shift towards regenerative farming techniques for soil health is underway, spearheaded by innovative businesses � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 72

COMMUNITY JOIN US – SUBSCRIBE

This young farming family have added high-end accommodation to a nearly 150-year-old working sheep station � � � � � � 76 MEET A MEMBER

At 92, Philip Melbourne is NSW Farmers’ oldest member � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 82 THE SALEYARDS

Aussie-made products for summer � � � � � � � � � 84 FARM DOGS

‘TIS THE SEASON OF SCHOOL

Meet Dug from Wolumla � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 85

SCHOLARSHIPS

Independent schools in NSW are flush with life-changing scholarships and opportunities for girls and boys � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 58

The Tilba region has rich volcanic soil ideal for farming and production.

THE FARMER

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

THE TAIL END

Swimming for mental health � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 86

From the editor

THE MAGAZINE

PUBLISHER James Wells EDITOR Michelle Hespe ART DIREC TOR Ryan Vizcarra

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EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES

Michelle Hespe Email: mhespe@intermedia.com.au

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SALES DIRECTOR

Ben Payne Email: bpayne@intermedia.com.au Phone : 0403 893 668

–CONTRIBUTORS

Michael Burt Libby-Jane Charleston Sandra Godwin Lucy Jones Carly Marriott Matilda Meikle Jeanette Severs Sue Wallace Emily Riches NSW FARMERS

INTERIM CEO Annabel Johnson HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT Kathleen Curry MAGAZINE CONTENT TEAM

Kathy Rankin – Head of Policy & Advocacy CONTAC T US

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@NSWFarmers THE INTERMEDIA GROUP

MANAGING DIREC TOR Simon Grover GM OF OPERATIONS Chris Baker FINANCE MANAGER Mina Vranistas PRODUC TION MANAGER Jacqui Cooper HEAD OF DIGITAL Jordan Guiao The Farmer magazine is published for the NSW Farmers Association (ABN: 31 000 004 651) by The Intermedia Group (ABN: 94 002 583 682) 41 Bridge Rd, Glebe NSW 2037. All rights reserved. Printed by IVE Group. Getty Images were used throughout the magazine.

elcome to our first issue of 2024. I hope you’re all enjoying the festive period, have had some wellearned downtime (or some coming up), and that you’re fully charged for whatever this year has in store for us. One thing is for sure, it’s never boring in farming. In this issue, we have tackled some big issues that are not only crucially important to those in the agriculture industry, but indeed to everyone in Australia. There’s the heated debate over water buybacks, that saw many of us in the industry joining forces in Sydney to protest against the government’s proposed changes to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. In our story in this issue (page 22) we dive deeper into the topic by meeting some people on the frontline whose operations will be directly affected no matter what the outcome. We also take a look at the halt on signing an EU free trade agreement because it did not benefit so many agricultural sectors, and in fact could have been detrimental to them had it been hastily signed. We also take a deep dive into the Biosecurity Amendment (Advanced Compliance Measures) Bill 2023, which will allow for the establishment of an Independent Biosecurity Commissioner to provide oversight of biosecurity and improve the management of invasive species. And we take a serious look at drought and bushfire preparedness, and ways in which we can work together to save farms, families, and communities. In trade, we look into the future of the medicinal cannabis industry, and how Australian farmers can seize opportunities in a crop that is experiencing a massive

uptick the world over. In our Special Reports, we take a close look at agritech, and offer you some advice on what new advances could bring to the table and the future of your farm. We also look into soil health, and how it is no longer a niche area of ag, but one that is imperative to all of us. On a lighter note, in business we meet a candle making company supporting Australia’s beekeepers, and a family who have turned their 150-year-old thriving sheep station into a luxury accommodation provider that gives travellers an authentic working farm experience while also offering five-star food and lodging. We hope you enjoy the read, and drop us a line anytime, as we love hearing from you.

MICHELLE HESPE

Editor

The Intermedia Group takes its corporate and social responsibilities seriously and is committed to reducing its impact on the environment. We continuously strive to improve our environmental performance and to initiate additional CSR based projects and activities. As part of our company policy we ensure that the products and services used in the manufacture of this magazine are sourced from environmentally responsible suppliers. This magazine has been printed on paper produced from sustainably sourced wood and pulp fibre and is accredited under PEFC chain of custody. Muddying the Basin plan

Fresh take on renewable diesel

The medicinal cannabis industry

Getting techy on the farm

Famers unite against water buybacks

The future of farming energy

A fast-growing industry for Aussie farmers

Different takes on agritech

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PEFC certified wood and paper products come from environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of forests. The wrapping used in the delivery process of this magazine is 100% recyclable.

JA N UA RY- F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 4 / $ 9. 9 5

Heroes on the frontline

Photo by: Ant Ong

Fighting fires and some advice on being prepared

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JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

THE FARMER

The Muster Star Prize winners WINNER OF THE 2023 FARM WRITERS’ STAR PRIZE FOR RURAL WRITING IN NSW: HUGH HOGAN

Photo courtesy of Anvil Media.

Hugh’s feature Farmers, renewable energy advocates call for more compensation for hosting transmission lines was published on abc.net.au on 12 June 2022.

l NEWS

Agriculture Minister thanks NSW Farmers for its work sticking up for farmers The Farm Writers Association of NSW celebrated another momentous year with a Christmas lunch at the Strangers Dining Room at Parliament House, and the announcement of the Star Prize winners for 2023. Words EMILY RICHES

he event brought together 200 members and guests, including key stakeholders, farmers and industry leaders, to reflect on challenges and opportunities facing the primary industries sector in NSW. Attendees heard from the host and Patron, Minister for Agriculture the Hon. Tara Moriarty MLC., as well as one of the Star Prize award winners, Hugh Hogan from the ABC’s Central West office. In her address, the Minister thanked president of the NSW Farmers’ Association, Xavier Martin, for the commitment that he and the association have to its advocacy work on behalf of farmers across New South Wales, and recognised the vital role Farm Writers play in raising awareness of challenges in regional communities. Minister Moriarty also highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting farmers through funding initiatives, biosecurity measures and ongoing collaboration with industry stakeholders. She stated, “Farmers rightly expect the government to have their back. And we do.” Under discussion was the recent announcement of the $250 million Drought Ready and Resilient Fund, with the Minister stating, “Be assured, farmers will be well supported to invest in drought preparedness and management through the various phases of drought we are facing in NSW.” The Minister also thanked the president of the NSW Farmers’ Association, Xavier Martin, for the commitment that he and the association have to its advocacy work on behalf of farmers across New South Wales. Biosecurity also emerged as a significant focal point, as the Minister emphasised, “Biosecurity is the number one issue in my portfolio.” She spoke to the impact of invasive species on the economy as well as biosecurity risks such as Varroa mite in bees, QX disease in oysters, and the recent detection of Red Imported Fire Ant nests at South Murwillumbah, which prompted $80 million in additional funding to protect the state from this dangerous pest. The Minister outlined the NSW Government’s $39 million investment in a national approach for sheep and goat EID implementation to help with traceability, biosecurity and long-term market success. She also maintained that funding for research and development will be crucial to adapting to climate change and ensuring the future productivity of the sector. The Farm Writers President George Hardy and all the Farm Writers committee wish everyone a happy and safe festive season. Farm Writers will also announce a fantastic line-up of Agribuzz events in 2024, in Sydney and regional locations. Make sure to keep an eye on the Farm Writers events page as dates are confirmed. l

THE FARMER

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

Hugh’s story covers concerns of farmers impacted by high voltage transmission lines being built to incorporate more renewable energy into the grid. These include visual and environmental impacts, increased bushfire risk, the devaluation of their land, and comparatively lacklustre compensation. WINNER OF THE 2023 RABOBANK STAR PRIZE FOR RURAL BROADCASTING IN NSW: BRONWYN HERBERT

Bronwyn story, Flood Legacy, was run on ABC Landline on 26 June 2022, after she tracked down top talent from a range of primary industries. She explored the animal, industrial, environmental and human toll of major floods in the Northern Rivers region of NSW. THE WINNERS OF THE 2023 STAR PRIZE FOR RURAL PHOTOGRAPHY IN NSW

Production category: Kim Honan, ABC Rural People category: Hugh Hogan, ABC Rural Landscape/nature category: Kim Honan, ABC Rural

The Muster

l BIO SECURITY

The dangerous ant-ics of the Red Fire Ant Red Fire Ants have been detected in NSW for the first time, posing a grave threat to agriculture, the environment, and quite simply, the Aussie way of life. Words MATILDA MEIKLE

ed Fire Ants are one of the worst invasive species in the country, and NSW Farmers warn that urgent action is needed to prevent a significant fallout. Red Imported Fire Ants (as they are formally known) are also extremely dangerous to our environment. The colonies feed on animals that live on the ground, including insects, spiders, lizards, frogs and birds. By disrupting fauna that pollinate native plants, they can cause changes in vegetation and bush lands. They also eat seeds, stopping new growth and vegetation. Aside from posing a significant environmental threat, Red Fire Ants also damage the Australian economy and lifestyle. Their nests hold tens of thousands of ants. As an aggressive species, nests built near parks and sports fields can limit our ability to enjoy recreational areas. According to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program, the Red Fire Ants affect over 50 crops grown in Australia by tunnelling through their root systems and feeding on control agents. This costs agricultural businesses as they

THE FARMER

work to restore their crops after an infestation. Additionally, the ants can damage electrical equipment such as air conditioning and traffic signal boxes by nesting in the soil surrounding them. On farms, there have been cases of Red Fire Ants stinging livestock to the point of blindness and suffocation. Their presence also limits the ability to export goods to countries without a Red Fire Ant population. MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

Red Fire Ants were first identified in Brisbane in 2001 and have spread since then. While the National Fire Ant Eradication Program was established in 2017 with the aim of

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

eradicating the ants in Australia by 2032, they report that nests have now been found across 600,000 hectares in Queensland. The most common way for Red Fire Ants to spread is by flying, rafting along water, or through the movement of organic material from one location to another. In Queensland, Fire Ant Biosecurity Zones include all individuals and businesses who work with organic materials in areas affected by infestations. When working in these areas, individuals must follow strict protocols for moving soil, mulch and hay. In November of this year, Red Fire Ants were spotted in NSW for the first time. Five Red Fire Ant nests have now been identified in Murwillumbah, 13 kilometres from the NSW/Queensland border. According to Craig Huf, Chair of the Far North Coast Branch of the NSW Farmers’ Association, “The ants more than likely came in contaminated soil, mulch or equipment,” he says. “This is extremely alarming given the site has tens of thousands of tonnes of cane mulch and hundreds of acres of freshly ploughed cane land immediately adjacent to it.” Alarmingly, a mature queen Red Fire

Ant was also spotted on the site. This indicates that the infestation may have already been there for 12 months, long enough for the colony to reproduce and grow. Already, biosecurity control and tracing measures have been put in place for businesses and individuals within five kilometres of the site, limiting the movement of mulch, compost, soil, hay and more. Fines for breaching these conditions can reach $1.1 million for individuals and $2.2 million for businesses. METHODS OF PREVENTION

If the Red Fire Ants are allowed to spread unchecked, NSW Farmers believes that the outbreak will cause significant agricultural damage. “A surprising number of people are still currently not aware of the consequences Red Fire Ants will have on the environment, farming, the backyard Australian way of life and local businesses,” adds Mr. Huf. The National Fire Ant Eradication

Program has introduced several containment methods, including the use of Red Fire Ant odour detection dogs, who are specially trained to pick up the ant’s scent and locate nests that human eyes struggle to identify. Similarly, multispectral cameras mounted to helicopters can scan the landscape and identify Red Fire Ant nests from 750 feet. This technology is only used in Australia.

According to Mr Huf, it’s vital that everyone follows the rules laid out by the Department of Primary Industries, to prevent unnecessary consequences for businesses and individuals. “For the sake of the environment, local business and farming, it’s very important everyone is diligent and complies with the DPI enforcement rules.” l

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THE FARMER

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The Muster

l INDUSTRY INNOVATION

Kangaroos could have the red meat industry jumping for joy A greater focus on kangaroos in Australia’s red meat market could have serious economic and environmental benefits. Words MATILDA MEIKLE

he Australian red meat sector is facing the challenge of cutting methane emissions while simultaneously meeting the demands of an ever-growing population. According to a new report from Australian Wildlife Services (AWS), prioritising the production of kangaroo meat could resolve these conflicting demands. As an abundant source of low emission meat, kangaroos may just help the industry reach its environmental goals while opening new economic doors that haven’t been available to Australian farmers in the past. WHY KANGAROOS?

George Wilson is a veterinarian, ecologist and Honorary Professor at the Australian National University. He explains that kangaroos have been largely overlooked as a source of protein for years, According to a report from AWS, 4.5 million kangaroos that were part of the national quota for harvest in 2020 were wasted. This is despite a pledge made by the red meat sector to reach carbon neutrality by 2030. “That number of kangaroos would produce the same amount of meat as 400,000 cattle,” Professor Wilson adds.

THE FARMER

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

A CHANGE IN DIRECTION

Professor George Wilson (pictured above) believes kangaroos haven’t received the attention they deserve as a source of low emission red meat.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

To fully integrate kangaroos into current grazing systems, Professor Wilson believes a few changes need to be made to the sector. “Trial through research and application could increase the value of kangaroos,” he explains. “If we supply kangaroo products more consistently and reliably, the market will reflect that.” Additionally, the introduction of government entitlements for graziers who take on a set quota of the wild kangaroo population could incentivise more farmers to focus on kangaroo-based products. According to AWS colleague Dr Melanie Edwards, removing livestock from areas with high kangaroo populations could decrease carbon emissions by approximately 785,000 tonnes, which is around 2.4 per cent of the total methane emissions produced by livestock. This small change would benefit more than just the atmosphere however, as kangaroos put less pressure on the ground than other livestock. As such, farmers would see less soil compaction, and more plant cover and root biomass. This has the potential to seriously improve biodiversity. “It’s about what an area can bear under existing seasonal conditions, what is an appropriate ratio of grazing animals and how do you maximise the potential return for the farmer or grazier,” Professor Wilson adds. Similarly, graziers would benefit economically from the production of kangaroo meat. According to the Kangaroo Industry Association Australia, the gross value of the current kangaroo industry is roughly $200 million, taking into consideration ancillary benefits such as reduced agricultural damage. Kangaroo products are exported to more than 60 international markets, and the industry is responsible for thousands of jobs. SETBACKS AND SOLUTIONS

However, for the integration of kangaroos to make a real difference, the value of kangaroo meat will need to increase. “Virtually every supermarket has kangaroo products on the shelves, so we do not need to invent a new industry; we just need to do it better,” Professor Wilson says. “We’re back where the beef industry was probably 40 or 50 years ago when you’d buy some T-bone steaks and some of them would be tough because you didn’t know whether you were eating a really old animal or a young one, or a male or a female. “That’s all changed in beef and sheep production. There is now a strong interest in quality of the product all the way down the value chain. “So, if similar care and product differentiation were taken with kangaroo products coming off the property, the value could also increase.”

P OUND FOR P OUND

The kangaroo industry isn’t held to the same standards as the beef and lamb industries. Professor Wilson hopes to see more emphasis on quality and consistency.

Fortunately, there are some programs already supporting the development of the kangaroo industry. The Federal Government introduced the Nature Repair Market earlier this year to promote landowners who restore biodiversity and protect local habitats. Similarly, programs that support carbon management and soil carbon sequestration also encourage the uptake of kangaroos. “Kangaroos are a source of low-carbon meat and there are few other opportunities, demonstrated at scale, that reduce enteric methane,” Professor Wilson says. “Not wasting low emission meat is important. Integrated with other red meat industries, this could make a real economic and environmental difference.” l JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

THE FARMER

The Muster

l TRADE

A cheese by any other name Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell refused to sign a free trade deal with the European Union, leaving farmers relieved, but negotiations are still hanging in the balance. Words SANDRA GODWIN

ustralian farmers breathed a collective sigh of relief when Trade Minister Don Farrell declined to sign a free trade deal with the European Union (EU) in October. Back in Australia after trips to Japan, China and the United States, Mr Farrell says an agreement to “continue talking” was the most positive thing to come out of discussions with EU counterparts while he was in Osaka for the G7 Trade Ministers’ meeting. Beforehand, he had warned a deal was not certain, despite more than five years and over a dozen rounds of negotiations. “I have made it very clear Australia will not sign a deal for the sake of it, and I meant it,” he said in a statement. Mr Farrell previously walked away from negotiations at EU headquarters in Brussels in July because of a disagreement over meaningful market access for Australian agriculture, including beef, sheep meat, dairy products, sugar and rice, much of which are subject to tariffs and quotas. Mr Farrell says it was made clear to EU representatives that the offer received in July wouldn’t get the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) over the line, especially when it came to beef and sheep meat quotas. “I had been hopeful that when we met them in Osaka, that we would have received a better offer,” he says. “We needed a significantly better

agricultural offer. And when that didn’t come, I took the view that we hadn’t made sufficient progress, and I couldn’t recommend to the Australian people that we sign the deal.” Another major sticking point continues to be the EU’s insistence on Australia giving up the right to use the names of products that originated from Europe. Known as Geographical Indications (GI), they’re intended to protect against misuse or imitation of the registered name within the EU and in non-EU countries that agree. The EU claims GIs establish intellectual property rights for those products, although some are the names of plant varieties or styles, not places or regions. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website lists 166 foods and 234 beverages the EU seeks to protect as GIs in Australia. But Mr Farrell says he hopes the issue can be solved to the satisfaction of Australian farmers and producers. “We had made it clear all along that for Australian producers who had left Europe postWorld War II, that these names like prosecco, feta, parmesan, weren’t just economic issues,” he says. “They were also cultural issues; they were a way of these Australians keeping a connection with their homeland. And I think at the end of the day that started to sink in with the Europeans.”

“The estimate is that it would cost us $75 million a year in lost revenue, and the compliance burden would be placed on our government, so it would be an additional cost to taxpayers as well.” – PHIL RYAN Bega Valley dairy farmer

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JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

FARMERS COME FIRST

Top, then clockwise: Bega Cheese factory; Hunter Valley vineyard; feta cheese being made. Aussie producers were firmly against the Free Trade Agreement, which would have had major impacts on their ability to access European meat markets and use names for products that originated in Europe.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

THE FARMER

The Muster

A NO - GO ON NEGOTIATIONS

Top then clockwise: Aussie olive grove; packaging cheese; Red meat for sale. Trade Minister Don Farrell declined the deal offered by EU representatives, citing quotas, production conditions and market access as major setbacks when it came to an equal and fair agreement.

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JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

“Why would you sign on to an agreement that puts you behind your competitors from the start? It’s much better not to have a deal than have a bad one.” – PETER GRANT Braidwood beef producer

NO WHEY

Bega Valley dairy farmer Phil Ryan says he’s grateful to Mr Farrell, and Agriculture Minister Senator Murray Watt, for refusing to sign the deal. “We were concerned a number of weeks ago that broader pressure might cause the government to sign it in its present form,” he says. “I haven’t yet seen anything compelling for dairy at all. The key part is that restriction on Geographical Indicators is really just a thinly veiled excuse for trade protectionism and anticompetitive action.” Mr Ryan, who is NSW Farmers Dairy Committee chair, says the proposed restrictions on GIs would stop the Australian dairy industry using terms such as feta, haloumi, gruyere and a range of other cheese names. “The estimate is that it would cost us $75 million a year in lost revenue, and the compliance burden would be placed on our government, so it would be an additional cost to taxpayers as well,” he says. “European Union farmers are already heavily subsidised, with 30 per cent of their income from government assistance and incentives.” Mr Ryan says the EU exported 70,000 tonnes of dairy products to Australia each year, compared to Australian exports to the EU of 500 tonnes. “It’s a very unlevel playing field as things stand,” he says. “And then to further restrict our ability to use those terms, which aren’t necessarily geographical indicators. Feta for example, is a style of cheese making. It’s not specific to a region.” Mr Ryan also expressed concern about the EU enforcing GIs through the back door by negotiating FTAs with Australia’s trading partners that prohibit them from buying Australian products labelled with European GIs. This includes New Zealand which

signed an FTA with the EU in 2022 and gave up the right to use the name feta. Another condition of the NZ-EU FTA is that only Italian prosecco will be able to be sold under that name in New Zealand from 2028, despite the country being the biggest importer of Australian prosecco. According to a National Farmers Federation (NFF) fact sheet, the average EU tariff on Australian agricultural imports is 14.2 per cent, with dairy tariffs the highest at 32.3 per cent, followed by sugar (27 per cent) and meat (19 per cent).

“From a red meat producer’s perspective, the offer wasn’t good enough and you’ve got to keep in mind what other commodities are facing as well,” he says. “What we don’t want to see is a situation where one commodity is a winner and other commodities are a loser – it really needs to be a balanced deal across all commodities.” Mr Grant says he was supportive of the government’s work in negotiating an FTA, but he wasn’t disappointed when Mr Farrell didn’t sign the deal that was offered. “I’m not privy to the actual details of what the offer was, but from what I’ve heard, we were being put at a disadvantage to our competitors, such as Canada and New Zealand,” he says. “So really, why would you sign on to an agreement that puts you behind your competitors from the start? It’s much better not to have a deal than have a bad one.” HANGING IN THE BALANCE

MEAT OF THE MATTER

Braidwood beef producer Peter Grant – who is a member of the NSW Farmers Business, Economic and Trade Committee and represents NSW Farmers on the NFF Trade Committee – says the EU had the potential to become a valuable market for Australian red meat, “particularly for the premium end of the market”.

A snapshot • European Union GDP: $US16.6 trillion (2022) • Population: 445.7 million (2022) • Two-way trade of goods and services: $AU97 billion (2021-2022) Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website

Names targeted by the EU • Dairy: Feta, Gorgonzola, Grana Padano, Gruyere, Haloumi, Parmesan, but not Camembert, Brie, Gouda, or Edam • Olive oil: Kalamata • Smallgoods: Chorizo • Spirits: Grappa, Irish Cream • Wine: Prosecco

Despite the latest setback, Mr Ryan and Mr Grant agree it’s important to continue negotiations with the EU to improve the terms of the FTA. “There are highly desirable aspects to free trade, more generally speaking, but for dairy at the moment, the way this agreement is drawn up, it’s very, very one-sided,” Mr Ryan says. Mr Grant says it’s in the interests of both the EU and Australia to have a better agreement than what was tabled and he had hoped common sense would prevail on quotas, production conditions, GIs and market access. Mr Farrell says Australian representatives were ready, willing and able to participate in further talks which could take place in early or late 2024. The main hurdle will be elections for the European Parliament due to take place in June 2024. “We don’t simply want to repeat the same exercise,” Mr Farrell says. “The closer it gets to the mid-year elections in Europe the less likely it is that we can progress anything. And then of course, after that election, you have a new group of people to deal with. Will they be pro free trade or anti free trade?” If that’s the case, it has been suggested negotiations will most likely restart in late 2024 or after the next federal election, which is due between August 2024 and May 2025. l

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

THE FARMER

The Muster

l SP OTLIGHT ON: THE TILBA REGION

From fertile soil, great things grow Nestled within the stunning Eurobodalla Shire, the Tilba Region is bursting with local producers and businesses making the most of the rich land. Words MATILDA MEIKLE

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JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

MAGIC MOUNTAIN

The two Tilba towns make the most of their prime location on the base of Mount Gulaga, pictured above.

he two heritage villages of the Tilba region are tucked into the base of the dormant volcano, Mount Gulaga. This prime location provides access to rich volcanic soil ideal for farming and production, so it comes as no surprise that both towns are predominantly inhabited by growers and crafts-people, who make a living by selling wares and produce to both tourists and to those in the close-knit community. In the 1800s, the discovery of gold on Mount Gulaga led to a boom in mining and the development of the two main villages; Central Tilba and Tilba Tilba. Eventually, when the gold rush came to an end, dairy farming took its place as the major economic practice. In 1974, the National Trust classified the Tilba District as a place of historic and special aesthetic significance and established The Tilba Conservation Area. Since then, tourism has become the region’s main economic focus, and it continues to support a wide array of established and emerging businesses. To many, Tilba is famous for its delicious dairy products, crafted at Tilba Dairy. The 100 per cent family owned and operated business produces milk, cream, cheese and yoghurt from their Jersey herds. The owners, Erica and Nick Dibden, have been farming for over 25 years. They chose Jersey Cows for the high fat and protein content in their milk. Due to the rich and fertile land in the Tilba region, the cows are able to thrive in lush fields, yielding high-quality milk year round. >

“We wanted to make something unique for Tilba, to this area and those who visit, from our cows and the cultures we can access.” – ERICA DIBDEN Tilba Dairy

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

THE FARMER

The Muster

BREWING BIG IDEAS

The products are then sold in the ABC Cheese Factory, which was established in 1891 and was the first cheese co-operative in NSW. According to Erica: “We wanted to make something unique for Tilba, to this area, and for those who visit, from our cows and the cultures that we can access.” Walking down Central Tilba’s main strip, the iconic Cheese Factory sits alongside several other local shops, each selling hand-crafted items made from the natural resources provided by the mountain and its surrounds. Passionfish owners, Jason and Kylie, established their store in 2007. Using natural soy wax, they develop and hand-pour their own candles, which are then sold at their highly popular homeware emporium.

THE FARMER

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

TOURING THE TOWN

A stroll along the main street of Central Tilba will showcase the top local producers, who utilise the fertile soil and natural resources to craft their popular products.

While the fertile soil makes for excellent farming conditions, there’s so much more to the Tilba Region. The Dromedary Hotel was established in 1895, and has since become a hub of activity in Central Tilba. Here, the owners of the Tilba Brewing Co craft, brew and can their own beers. According to the team, each type of beer represents part of Tilba’s history: The Prospectors Amber Ale acknowledges Tilba’s gold mining past through its smooth copper tones and malty caramel flavours, while the Palace Pale Ale pays homage to the hotel’s original name, the Palace Hotel, back when it was built as a coffee palace in the 1800s. Tilba Valley Winery and Ale House also produces their own beer and wine. Their vineyards thrive on the base of Mount Gulaga, and have been operating for around 40 years. The winery can ferment approximately 80,000 litres, or around 8400 cases of wine, every year. According to Tilba Valley Winery, most of this produce is sold at their cellar door. A survey conducted by the Eurobodalla Shire Council in the summer of 2018 to better understand the profile of visitors in the area, found that while a majority of tourists may have chosen to reside in larger Eurobodalla Shire towns, 63 per cent visited villages such as Tilba on their trip. Due to the large number of producers, and with its buildings all adhering to particular colour schemes according to the era they were built in,

Tilba has become one of the most photogenic towns in the region. It has only 342 residents, and walking down the streets, there are always people milling about, chatting about the weather, produce, and their families, with locals gathered at the pub for bands and long lunches, and groups of locals enjoying a coffee or tea and scones in one of the many cafés. Many of the smaller farm owners converge in the Big Hall on the main street every Saturday to sell their produce, arts, crafts and homewares at the busy market. They also come to chat with their neighbours and to shop around while in town. It’s a genteel kind of place, where family, history, agriculture and the art of slow living are all not only practised, but also cherished and well nourished. l

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Muddying the Basin Plan Farming and environmental groups do agree on some measures for improving the resilience of the Australian landscape. Government water buybacks is not one of them. Farming groups are adamant that buybacks in the Murray-Darling Basin Plan (MDBP) will do nothing except harm rural communities and hike up food prices.

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Words MICHAEL BURT

THE FARMER

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

THE BIG ISSUE WATER MANAGEMENT

ocal councils and many residents in the Riverina region agreed with farming groups and hosted protest rallies in Riverina towns in November opposing the Federal Government’s amendments to the decade-old plan. Their loud voice failed to sway the views of Independents and the Jacqui Lambie Network, who sided with the Greens and the Government to pass the Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Bill 2023 in December. The bill does extend the Plan’s deadline by a few years and sanctions new water efficiency infrastructure projects to help meet the environmental targets, but it also removes the cap on the amount of water the Commonwealth can purchase from farmers. That means voluntary water buybacks are now back in play to recover 450GL of additional environmental water in the MurrayDarling Basin. It amends the Water Act 2007 and Basin Plan 2012 to repeal the statutory 1,500GL cap on Commonwealth water purchases. The Federal Government put out a tender for the purchase of 44.3GL per year in March 2023, which Water Minister Tanya Plibersek claimed was flooded with applications. This includes 26GL from the Murray, Namoi, Border Rivers, Barwon-Darling and the Lachlan Catchments in NSW. NSW Farmers has led the charge in opposing government buybacks alongside the National Farmers Federation (NFF), Agforce, the NSW Irrigators, Basin communities and a long list of commodity organisations. Chair of the NSW Farmers Water Taskforce, Richard Bootle, said the newly edited version of the MDBP lacks a serious amount of socio-economic analysis. “This has led to insufficient consideration of the impact of the Plan on rural communities which are reliant on agriculture. “For arguably the biggest reform to regional Australia in history this is an incredible oversight,” Richard said. There is a lot at stake in the MurrayDarling Basin. It traverses four states and the Australian Capital Territory and

is home to 2.6 million people, including 50 First Nations groups. The river system produces $24 billion in local food and fibre and its ecological assets includes 16 Ramsar-listed wetlands. Everyone wants a piece of it for economic, social, environmental and cultural reasons. Richard said farmers understand all these reasons and have made significant production sacrifices and efficiency gains to help improve river system’s health. He said the key issue is that the Federal Government have ignored the plight of family farm businesses and Basin communities. “That’s why NSW Farmers is calling on NSW Water Minister Rose Jackson to firmly rule out water buybacks and detail alternatives. “The NSW Government has stood up against the buying back of productive water, but we need a firm commitment they will stand up for the people of our state. “Since the Federal Government is insistent on taking water out of production without any protections to prevent social or economic harm, it is up to the NSW Government to step into the gap.” Water Campaigner for the NSW Conservation Council (NCC), Mel Grey, does agree that many farmers are happy to share the Basin’s water assets with communities and the environment. “Farmers want to make sure that their communities have water when the next drought comes. I know this from my own experience growing up on a farm,” Mel said. “It is some of the multi-national companies that are hoarding the water for production purposes and have no interest in the environment they are working in.” The NCC backs the return of buybacks from willing sellers as the best way to return enough water to Australia’s biggest river system and disputes their negative socioeconomic impact. “What about the impact on farmers downstream from these big water users? We have farmers in our network who do support buybacks for environmental reasons and the opportunity to sell some water back to the system and invest in efficiency or diversifying.” >

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

THE FARMER

It is true that some farmers do support voluntary buybacks. Farmers in the Central Darling region, for example, see the measure as one way of securing more overland flows across their grazing country in wet seasons. WHAT’S THE ALTERNATIVE TO BUYBACKS?

Amendments to the MDBP do include extending current water-saving projects until 2026 and the opportunity for states to put forward new measures to meet the 605GL water recovery target. The NFF has proposed a range of alternative projects to deliver the MDBP targets, which it claims has the potential to restore 1,000GL or more without resorting to buybacks. “We’ve collaborated with representative groups up and down the Basin to compile an array of innovative proposals that would deliver the Murray-Darling Basin Plan without resorting to buybacks,” said NFF Water Committee chair and NSW Farmers Member, Malcolm Holm. “These projects include precision water management technologies, and innovative water storage solutions. We can deliver every drop of the Basin Plan targets without taking the lazy option of buybacks.” In a submission to the federal Water Minister, the NFF has called for sustainable and practical initiatives that ensure minimal impact on agricultural productivity. “By embracing these innovative projects, the government can strike a balance between effective

THE FARMER

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

FEARFUL FARMERS

NSW sheep and grain farmers Michael and Felicia Chalmers (pictured top right) fear for the future of their family farm business due to water buybacks, as 70 to 80 per cent of their income is derived from irrigated farming.

water resource management and the needs of farmers and regional communities. “We’re demonstrating here that we’re willing to work with government to deliver the Plan the smart way, rather than thumping communities with more buybacks,” Mr Holm concluded. Farming groups have also proposed various complementary measures for improving the Basin’s health, including managing cold water pollution better, assisting with fish passage, restoring riparian vegetation and removing carp. BUYBACKS HURT FARM BUSINESSES AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES

NSW sheep and grain farmer Michael Chalmers fears for the future of his family farm and local community with the return of government water buybacks from farmers.

“Less water available for consumptive use means less food and fibre production, which will ultimately lead to declining towns and higher cost of living for all.” – XAVIER MARTIN NSW Farmers President

THE BIG ISSUE WATER MANAGEMENT

“Further water buybacks would potentially have devastating effects on our farm business and our local community,” Michael said. “If I were having a conversation with a politician in Canberra I would ask the question, ‘why are you so fixated on recovering this extra water when it won’t necessarily deliver a tangible benefit to the environment, but it will almost certainly decimate irrigated communities in the Murray-Darling Basin?’,” he said. The second-generation irrigator farms sheep and grain on 4,000 hectares at Wakool, southern NSW, with his wife Felicia. Irrigation is a key component of the Chalmers family business, deriving 75 to 80 per cent of their income from irrigated farming. “Without that irrigation, our farm business wouldn’t be what it is,” Michael says. “In a community like ours, all businesses are related in some way to irrigated agriculture, so if we have less water you’ll see a reduction in jobs, sporting clubs will diminish, and there will be a loss of services in town – the whole community suffers when you reduce access to water.” >

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THE BIG ISSUE WATER MANAGEMENT

“We had environmental experts, farmers and governments all on the same page with the Basin Plan, now that is down the drain thanks to the Government’s tunnel vision on buybacks,” says NFF President, David John Jochinke. “Buybacks will decimate one of the most prosperous growing areas in Australia. Our government forefathers knew the potential of this area, it’s a pity our current government seems determined to destroy that legacy,” says Griffith City Council Mayor, Cr Doug Curran “Accomplishing a Basin Plan that successfully balances environmental and socio-economic outcomes for irrigation-dependent Basin communities requires a strong local consultation process and for governments to respect and respond to those views,” says Agforce CEO, Mike Guerin. WHAT ARE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS ARE SAYING?

WHAT ARE FARMING GROUPS AND BASIN

DEPTHS OF DEBATE

COMMUNITIES SAYING?

While farmers fear government water buybacks will harm communities, environmentalists argue it’s vital for river health. Both sides seek a balance between agriculture, ecology and economic sustainability.

“Less water available for consumptive use means less food and fibre production, which will ultimately lead to declining towns and higher cost of living for all,” says NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin. “Buybacks mean less food and fibre will be grown and manufactured locally and buybacks will drive higher water prices and higher prices for consumers. It is unacceptable to farmers, unacceptable to Basin communities and makes no sense for the environment,” says Leeton Shire Mayor, Cr Tony Reneker. “The water buybacks and omission of socioeconomic protections in the proposed bill will have an irrevocable impact on not only the agriculture industry but countless rural communities,” says Ricegrowers Association of Australia President, Peter Herrmann. “Buybacks are the worst way to deal with this, it takes productive water straight out of the community. For every megalitre that is purchased, that means around 1.5 to 2 bales of cotton isn’t produced – that’s $900 that won’t circulate in the community. You’d be looking at hundreds of millions of dollars in that industry,” says Cotton Australia’s General Manager, Michael Murray. “At this point, extra water recovery is just a political stunt and will only serve to deliver numbers on a page. Punishing farmers and regional communities that depend on the economic activity generated by agriculture just doesn’t make sense,” says NSW Irrigators’ Council CEO, Claire Miller.

THE FARMER

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

“Without water buybacks there is no chance the Plan will be delivered on time or in full. The big corporate irrigators have gamed the system for far too long,” says Greens Water Spokesperson and Senator for South Australia, Sarah Hanson-Young. “It is critical that all Australians, from the bottom of the Coorong, where the Murray Mouth meets the Southern Ocean, right to northern Queensland, demand real water for the river now. The plan must be amended to account for climate change and First Nations water rights,” says Char Nitschke, Campaigner Coordinator (Water) for Conservation Council of South Australia. “We support the proposal to lift the cap on the amount of environmental water able to be purchased by the Commonwealth. The recovery of the full 450GL is a key commitment and priority that must be reflected in the Water Act and Basin Plan,” says a spokesperson for Environmental Justice Australia. “The purchase of environmental water, so as to reduce the unsustainable amounts currently taken from the river, is essential if we are to have any chance of returning the Murray-Darling Basin to health,” says a spokesperson for The Wilderness Society. l

“Accomplishing a Basin Plan that successfully balances environmental and socio-economic outcomes for irrigation-dependent Basin communities requires a strong local consultation process and for governments to respect and respond to those views.” – MIKE GUERIN Agforce CEO

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Season 2

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The Big Picture

THERE GOES MY HERO Local community heroes Robert Hines and Gary Smith teamed up with a fleet of farm fire units and the Rural Fire Service to protect property and lives from the second massive fire front in the Tenterfield shire in four years.

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Words MICHAEL BURT Photography ANT ONG

obert Hines is the sort of bloke you want around when bushfires are threatening the Tenterfield region. So is his fellow Homestead Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteer Gary Smith. They have 70 years of firefighting experience between them, and have battled hundreds of fires together since Robert joined as a volunteer in 1984 and Gary in 1993. They are born and bred in the far northern region and know the lay of the land on just about every inch of the Tenterfield Shire. When a series of fires menaced Tenterfield and surrounds on 31 October, Robert and Gary fired up the Homestead RFS brigade truck and headed out to confront what Robert described as the worst conditions he had seen. “I did not think we would see anything as bad again as 2019 and 2020, but this was three times as bad in some places,” Robert said. “The flames got up to 40 feet high when the wind got behind them and it was coming into places like Wallangarra, Jennings and Tenterfield and down to Sandy Gully. “It was just horrendous. The fuel load was big after a couple of good years and the African lovegrass just explodes when it gets going. You couldn’t get in front of the fires. The choppers and the planes were doing the best they could do.” Robert credits the aerial drops of fire retardant and the “massive amount of feet on the ground”, which included those of farmers and RFS members from other local brigades, for saving property and lives from a catastrophic situation. Gary, who is a local farmer from Leeches Gully, agrees. The former diesel mechanic has also contributed to local fire management as a fleet manager for the Tenterfield Shire Council. “It was a very intense few days,” Gary says. “Everyone jumps in to get the job done. That’s what happens in a lot of small country towns.” Gary also praised the efforts of local farmers and their fleet of farm fire units.

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JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

“We wouldn’t have saved some of the houses if there weren’t farmers there with their fire units on the back of utes. “They were marvellous, as there just wasn’t enough units to go around when everything went pear shaped.” Robert, a local fencing and weed control contractor, said he was cajoled into joining the Boonoo Boonoo brigade at the age of 30. That brigade folded a few years later and he has been a member of the Homestead RFS brigade ever since, including the last 13 years as captain. The grandfather of five has lived in the Queensland border village of Wallangarra with his wife Helen for 50 years. While he does lament some of the bureaucracy now facing RFS volunteers, Robert is proud of the organisation and has accepted an offer to become RFS Deputy Group Officer. He was also presented with a RFS Life Membership award in November. “You do feel proud that you are doing something for your community and your country, and there is a lot of camaraderie between the brigades,” Robert said. GRASS ROOTS CARE

Tenterfield Mayor Bronwyn Petrie said farm fire units played an enormous role in preventing fires from raging across the entire shire. “They were the first responders in many cases. We had seven farm fire units on our farm when it first started and the RFS were able to move onto the next fires,” Bronwyn said. “Most of our RFS members are farmers, but there are also a lot out there with their own slip-on units or spray units. Lots of people said to me that farmers had saved their houses.” Bronwyn, who is a member of the NSW Farmers’ Association, applauds RFS moves to test the capabilities and practical applications of farm fire units and to improve communication channels with farmers. “RFS had a stand at the 2023 NSW Farmers annual conference, and they demonstrated a fit-forpurpose unit that farmers could slip on to their utes,” she says. >

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

Robert Hines (left) and Gary Smith (right) have battled hundreds of fires together as Rural Fire Service volunteers, with 70 years of firefighting experience between them.

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THE FARMER

THE BIG PICTURE

“They have also retrofitted UHF radios into their vehicles, which was a smart move.” JOINING FORCES AND RAISING THE BAR

RFS and NSW Farmers jointly launched a Farm Fire Unit project in 2022 focussed on providing guidelines to incorporate privately owned Farm Fire Units into bushfire responses. That has since evolved into other projects on testing the suitability of various units for farm vehicles and the formation of a focus group involving NSW Farmers that will examine statewide and local Farm Fire Unit initiatives. Bronwyn said communication and coordination efforts were “a vast improvement” compared to the 2019-2020 fires. “The RFS listened to local knowledge, and they threw everything at fires early, which is not what happened four years ago. The local brigades and their volunteers were simply great,” she says. NSW RFS Area Commander Heath Stimson said the relationship between the RFS, NSW Farmers and the farming community had been ‘ever improving’ since the 2017 Sir Ivan bushfire. “What we are noticing is increased communication between RFS and farmers before and during a fire, to better understand what one another’s needs are,” he says, noting that farm fire units have been a key ally in creating more cohesion across the fire battlegrounds in 2023.

THE FARMER

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

HEROES IN ACTION

Tenterfield Mayor Bronwyn Petrie applauds local heroes and the vital role farm fire units played in saving homes. The collaborative efforts of RFS, farmers and community show that learning from past fires is key to facing the everpresent threat.

“There is more appreciation that farm fire units have been part of the landscape for a long time and of the great work they do in communicating from the fireground and ensuring everyone is keeping safe,” he says. “We have some good examples of cohesion across the fire ground this year because of that. There is still a lot of work to do, but it is improving. The knowledge that our farmers have of their land is critical in the way we successfully undertake firefighting. “The RFS and the former Bush Fire Brigade was started by farmers around Berrigan over 100 years ago and a larger percentage of volunteers in regional and rural areas are farmers, so there is a strong connection between the two.” >

“What we are noticing is increased communication between RFS and farmers before and during a fire, to better understand what one another’s needs are.” – HEATH STIMSON NSW RFS Area Commander

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THE BIG PICTURE

PREPPING LESSONS LEARNED FROM 2019

PREPARATION IS KEY

Rolls of soaker hoses from Bunnings played an important role in David and Caroline Duff’s fire management plan in the days leading up to the Willi Willi Road bushfire west of Kempsey. The hoses were joined and zip-tied to 63-millimetre pipes that ran down to a pump on the river and were soaked for three days before the fire reached the Duff’s property. “Those pipes burnt in 2019 and the soaker hoses reduced the risk of losing them again,” David said. “We also had a wobbler sprinkler going on top of the pump shed for three days.” This minor investment proved its worth during the fire event that started on October 14 and burned through more than 23,000 hectares of land including much of the Duff’s 1010ha farm at Toorooka. It was part of a plan that started in August and one that was inspired by the devastating impact of the black summer fires in 2019. The Duffs used a dozer to put some firebreak trails in along boundary fences, did some controlled

RFS and NSW Farmers jointly launched a Farm Fire Unit project in 2022, focussed on providing guidelines to incorporate privately owned Farm Fire Units into bushfire respones.

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JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

backburning and ensured their homestead’s lawns and gardens were a green oasis. “We installed a 13kva generator that can run the hose and the pumps down at the river. It kicked in as soon as the power went out. You’ve got a real advantage when you have power and water,” David says. “We also got a couple of fire firing units, including one that is mobile and can be plugged straight into a 5000-gallon concrete tank. We also did simple things like servicing all the pumps because we knew it was coming.” As the fires drew closer, Caroline took charge of protecting the house with sprinklers on the roof, filling gutters and bathtubs with water and extra soaking for the lawns. “A couple of RFS trucks turned up here and were able to move onto other locations as we were well prepared,” David adds. “We have put a lot a thought into how best to fireproof ourselves after what happened in 2019, and we were much better prepared this time round. We

“I did not think we would see anything as bad again as 2019 and 2020, but this was three times as bad in some places.” – ROBERT HINES RFS volunteer

are also fortunate to be on the Macleay River with the infrastructure to access water in the driest of times.” David, who is chair of the NSW Farmers Macleay Valley branch, said he has learned that there is no room for complacency when it comes to preparing for bushfires. His family’s farm was engulfed in a firestorm on November 8, 2019, that almost destroyed their beef and cropping enterprise and caused the death of one their neighbours. Tragically, another neighbour lost his life in October during the Willi Wille Road bushfire. “To have two fires in under four years and lose two lives within a couple of kilometres of each other demonstrates just how dangerous these events are,” he says. “While it was not as big as the 2019 fires, the intensity of it was just as significant and no two fires are the same.” David noted that the declared drought conditions in the Kempsey Shire had provided a ‘brown’ buffer for the homestead and surrounding sheds. “We would have lost around 95 per cent of grass country this time round,” he explains. “We hadn’t planted any soybeans over winter because it was so dry, so our cultivation country was empty and provided a buffer from the west.” Need for Feed and North Coast Local Land Services coordinated truckloads of donated fodder for farmers as soon as they could, and Blazeaid stepped in to assist with fencing repairs. “The donated fodder was great. Unlike the fires in 2019, the roads were not blocked and it could get out to farmers,” David says. “The RFS also did a really good job. You have to congratulate them for saving properties in what was a very serious bushfire.” l

Bushfire Appeal fund A natural disaster fund for landholders impacted by recent bushfires has been set up by NSW Farmers to assist with recovery. The Bushfire Appeal has been established under the NSW Farmers Natural Disaster Relief Fund, a registered charity that supports farmers in NSW affected by bushfires and floods. To find out more about the Bushfire Appeal and to make a donation head to nswfarmers.org.au/ndrf.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

THE FARMER

BIOSECURITY POLICY

A new chapter for biosecurity In 2024, a new Independent Biosecurity Commissioner will be appointed to advise the NSW Government on managing pests, weeds, and disease. There are many people on the frontline ready to add their knowledge and support.

–

Words SANDRA GODWIN

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JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

ollaboration and coordination will be crucial to the success of the new Independent Biosecurity Commissioner when they’re appointed in 2024. The NSW Government is recruiting for the position created after legislation was passed on 29 November. Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said the new role – which was a pre-election promise made by Premier Chris Minns at the NSW Farmers conference in July 2022 – recognised the importance of biosecurity to the state. The Biosecurity Amendment (Independent Biosecurity Commissioner) Bill 2023 allows for the establishment of an Independent Biosecurity Commissioner to provide oversight of biosecurity and improve the management of invasive species. Ms Moriarty, who also holds the Regional NSW and Western NSW portfolios, says biosecurity breaches represented a significant threat to not only the agriculture sector, but the economy, environment and communities. “We know that farmers work so incredibly hard to fight invasive pests and weeds on their land,” she says. “We need to make sure that other landholders, and that includes the government, are doing the same, so that farmers aren’t doing all this work... pests and weeds as we know don’t stop at the fence.” A budget of $2.2 million a year has been allocated for the Commissioner’s activities which will be supported by Department of Primary Industries (DPI) staff to avoid duplicating administration. Ms Moriarty says the Commissioner would operate independently of the DPI, advising the Agriculture Minister and submitting reports to be tabled in Parliament. “They can operate free of any kind of influence, and we want them to do that,” she says. “We want them to call out these issues and to give us advice on how to manage them. And we want them to be accessible so that farmers and other landholders can provide feedback and information and that can filter through as advice to me on how to deal with these issues.” The Commissioner will be appointed for a five-year term and a review will be held every five years into their operations, objectives and functions. Ms Moriarty says she looks forward to appointing the state’s first Independent Biosecurity Commissioner. “I know it’s something that farmers were really keen on,” she says. “They’ve engaged with us through every step of the way, and I want to make sure that we deliver for them.” FARMERS ON THE FRONTLINE

NSW Farmers’ Conservation and Resource Management Committee member Craig Mitchell, who produces fine wool Merinos and beef at Countegany, in the eastern Monaro region, has a long list of pests and weeds that he’d like to see addressed. >

A NEW LEAF

Opposite: Feral pig damage in a wheat crop. Above: Wild dogs pose a threat to stock and native wildlife. Right: Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty says that the new Biosecurity Commissioner role recognises the importance of biosecurity to the state.

“We need to make sure that other landholders, and that includes the government, are doing the same, so that farmers aren’t doing all this work... pests and weeds as we know don’t stop at the fence.” – TARA MORIARTY Agriculture Minister

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BIOSECURITY POLICY

PERSPECTIVE AND INPUT

Chief among them are feral pigs and deer that are spreading into new areas of the state and flourishing after numbers skyrocketed during three good breeding seasons. Mr Mitchell says incentives for farmers to erect boundary fences that would halt the migration of feral animals in search of food and water would be helpful. “There’s pigs all over Monaro at this stage, probably not to the densities they are out west, but they’re here and they’re a problem,” he says. “What we’re trying to do in our little patch is to try and coordinate a control plan. We do it with the foxes – we all bait at the same time, to get a landscape type coverage with the knockdown. And that’s what we’re trying to do with feral pigs. Five years ago, they were nearly under control in the drought, but they breed so quickly, there’s a wave of them now.”

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FENCING THE FOES

Craig Mitchell (top left) says a wave of feral pigs is spreading across the eastern Monaro region; African lovegrass (pictured above) is an aggressive invader of pastures, quickly overtaking sparse, sandy or overgrazed land and forming dense monocultures up to 1.2m tall.

The Commissioner will have the power to engage with external experts and private landholders as well as key industry and community groups to gather their perspectives and input. They will be authorised to request documents and information from public service agencies or State-owned corporations involved with pest or weed management, and the Government and Agriculture Minister will have six months to respond to any recommendations. The Commissioner also will be required to appear as requested before NSW parliamentary committees – such as budget estimates – independent of the DPI. During the second reading speech, Ms Moriarty told the Legislative Council that invasive species had profound impacts on the economy, environment and community. “Each year weeds cost our agriculture sector around $1.8 billion, and pest animals cost over $170 million,” she says. “In addition, there are cultural and public amenity impacts that are difficult to quantify, but are no doubt substantial. There are also significant impacts on our biodiversity and threatened species. “Collectively, weeds and pest animals have been identified as a threat to approximately 70 per cent of New South Wales’ listed threatened species. It is estimated that over 1650 introduced plant species have become established in New South Wales, with at least 300 of these causing significant environmental impacts and damage.” The government has committed $13 million to a feral pig control program – appointing Bec Gray as the state’s first feral pig co-ordinator in October – and $10 million to the Good Neighbour Program to be launched “in the coming months”.

Terrestrial pests, weeds and diseases of concern PESTS • Feral pigs • Deer • Wild dogs • Red imported fire ants • Foxes • Rabbits • Feral cats • Kangaroos • Varroa mite WEEDS • African lovegrass • Hudson pear • Flaxleaf fleabane • Serrated tussock • Chilean needle grass • Lantana • Blackberry

Ms Moriarty said she would refer four proposals – identified as high priority by Interim Biosecurity Commissioner Dr Marion Healy – to the Commissioner on their appointment, asking them to: • Review any perception of an inconsistent enforcement approach • Improve communications to occupiers of land about their biosecurity obligations • Explore involvement of Aboriginal communities in biosecurity pest and weed management • Review the governance arrangements and structure of the state and regional committee system responsible for pest and weed management. NSW Farmers’ President Xavier Martin welcomed the bill’s passing and urged the new Commissioner to put a review of the Murwillumbah outbreak of Red Imported Fire Ants at the top of their agenda. NSW Farmers’ Conservation and Resource Management Committee member Mr Mitchell, who is also a member of the State Weeds Committee, says he would like to see greater coordination of pest and weed control at a larger scale and across state borders where necessary to ensure all landowners were actively involved, not just those experiencing a problem. “My neighbours and I are in an African lovegrassfree area,” he says. “There are people to the west of us that are fighting the good fight, keeping back the lovegrass, but I’m not doing anything to help them, and their neighbours further west are losing the battle.

WEEDING OUT PESTS

Hudson pear (pictured top) is an invasive cactus species from Mexico. It was first detected in NSW in the late 1960s, and has major impacts on agriculture, biodiversity and native fauna; Rabbits cause severe damage to the environment and agriculture.

DISEASE • Foot and mouth disease which can affect cattle, sheep, goats, camels, deer and pigs • Lumpy skin disease which affects cattle • Japanese encephalitis which can affect humans, pigs and horses

“Weeds are a bit like a slow-moving bushfire, slowly creeping across the landscape. If weeds were a bushfire, we’d all be out there helping each other put it out, but this is a weed invasion, and we’re not. We just wait at the fence. We need to think about it differently, and coordinate people’s approach.” Mr Mitchell was pleased to see the legislation had received bipartisan support, and the Commissioner’s term of five years would take it outside the election cycle. “They definitely need to be impartial, so that’s a great thing to do,” he says. Note: Dr Healy, who was engaged in June to advise Ms Moriarty on the appointment of an Independent Biosecurity Commissioner – their role, functions and powers – was not available for an interview. l JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

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Always be drought ready Drought preparedness is not a new theme for Australian farmers. Our farming families have readied themselves for dry times for generations, but drought resilience plans can go awry in extreme conditions like 2019 or when a crash in livestock prices coincides with the need to buy in feed.

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Words MICHAEL BURT Photography STEVE GONSALVES

aren and Peter Weller’s drought readiness plan went askew in late November last year, but it was for a good reason. More than 90mm of rain fell on their 465-hectare farm at Winton near Tamworth in a week, providing a flush of green feed for their stud and commercial herds of Hereford cattle. Grass reserves had been scarce as the Tamworth region slipped back into drought after almost three years of favourable seasons. Many fellow farmers in northwest, Central Tablelands, Hunter and large chunks of the coast faced a similar fate heading into the summer months before Huey paid a welcome visit in late spring. The Wellers had planned ahead with fodder in their new hay shed and improved livestock water security through the installation of a bore, which were both lacking in the 2019 drought. Taking up nearby leasing opportunities was also part of the drought resilience measures, which has proved valuable in avoiding the need to sell off in a dour cattle market. “The huge downturn in livestock prices has been the biggest challenge with the dry times this year,” Karen says. “That’s been the key difference in terms of planning compared to the 2019 drought when prices were high.” >

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WEATHERING THE STORM

Farmers have welcomed the state government’s new $250 million Drought Ready and Resilient Fund (DRRF) that is designed to assist farmers prepare and respond to drought conditions.

CURRENT AFFAIR DROUGHT RESILIENCE

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CURRENT AFFAIR DROUGHT RESILIENCE

“The huge downturn in livestock prices has been the biggest challenge with the dry times this year.” – KAREN WELLER Cattle farmer

Karen and Peter have experienced the impact of dry times on farming operations in numerous locations after owning farms at Nabiac, Inverell and Narromine. They settled on their farm at Winton in 2017, just as one of the worst droughts on record commenced. “The drought in 2019 was the worst. We always made sure we had the option of agistment, but that was not around because the drought was so widespread. Plus, we came straight into dry conditions when we came here and did not have feed stored up. “We downsized our herd to about third of its size and had to buy in fodder at top prices to keep the core breeding stock in good condition. It cost us around $250,000.”

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The Wellers sold half their farm in 2020 to recover some of the debt they amassed during the 2017-2019 drought. That half included most of the shedding infrastructure. They were able to access a $50,000 NSW Rural Assistance Authority low interest loan to install water infrastructure and build a new hay shed. Karen said their herd of happy Herefords was almost back to full capacity in 2023 as they contemplated having to downsize again if no rain came before summer hit. “We did think it was going to go pear-shaped again. We were able to lease back the property we sold for our unjoined heifers, and we also lease another small block down the road, and we had a shed full of hay ready to go.” Karen has also learned to better deal with the impact on mental wellbeing, mainly through attending events like the annual NSW Rural Women’s Gathering. “I have been to seven of the Rural Women’s Gatherings. I love the opportunity to network with other women, hear inspirational speakers, and learn through workshops. You leave the event on a different high and come home with new skills and coping mechanisms,” she says.

BILLS AND BALES

“I really like how mental health support groups are directing the conversation now. Mental health does not have a stigma anymore, because it is explained better out there in the community, and that getting support is a good thing.” FARMERS WELCOME NEW DROUGHT READY FUND

Farmers have broadly welcomed the state government’s new $250 million Drought Ready and Resilient Fund (DRRF) that is designed to assist farmers prepare and respond to drought conditions. The fund will provide low interest, fixed term loans of up to $250,000 to establish critical infrastructure, while also aiding in cash flow management for critical on-farm drought management tasks, particularly for livestock producers.

Karen and Peter Weller showed resilience in the face of drought many times, with a strategic drought ready plan that involved hay reserves, improved water security, and leveraging nearby leases.

Unlike previous initiatives designed to support capital investment, the DRRF can also be used for items such as purchasing fodder, feeding equipment, stock transportation costs, veterinary advice, fencing for rotational grazing and the planting of trees. According to research by the NSW Rural Assistance Authority, the loans – which can be paid off over five or ten years – are estimated to save farmers on average $40,000 over a five-year loan, when compared to other similar loans. “I wish we had that last time. The government co-investment for improving farm and water infrastructure was great, but sometimes you just need support to pay the bills,” Karen says. “It is much more appealing now that the low interest loans can cover things like hay and fodder and other operational expenses.” NSW Farmers’ President, Xavier Martin, said the clarity the government has provided early in the drying cycle will help farmers such as Karen and Peter with making their business decisions. “These loans, announced before drought hits hard, help farmers to make proactive decisions,” Xavier said. “Farmers are always subject to climate variability, and having faced significant drought and disaster > JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

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CURRENT AFFAIR DROUGHT RESILIENCE

impacts in recent years, know that having a plan and some certainty as to how best to prepare for adverse conditions is critical.” NSW Farmers is also pleased to see an invigorated focus on the Farm Innovation Fund with the $120 million balance being reallocated as the Drought Infrastructure Fund. “This will aid the grain sector to increase on-farm storage, and also potentially support the horticulture sector to expand their critical water infrastructure and storage needs,” Xavier said. “We encourage the government to also keep a strong focus on the support and extension services provided through Local Land Services (LLS) and the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) as these are equally critical to the resilience of farmers, farming families, and their communities.” Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty, described the DRRF as a “common sense approach” to ensuring farmers and livestock producers across NSW have the resources they need during droughts. LINK UP WITH LLS FOR DROUGHT PLANNING

Local Land Services (LLS) will press ahead with drought preparedness support for farmers – rain, hail or shine. This support includes development of individual drought ready plans and workshops as well as training on practical measures like confinement feeding, feed budgeting and early weaning programs for livestock producers. LLS Business Partner for Sustainable Agriculture, Dale Kirby, said they have also recently engaged seven Drought Adoption Officers through a partnership with Southern NSW Drought Hub and Southern Queensland and Northern NSW Drought Hub. “The Drought Adoption officers will support the uptake of Future Drought Fund tools and drought resilience innovations at a localised, on-farm level for farmers,” Dale says. “Their work will value-add the existing work that

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PREPARE A PLAN

Local Land Services strongly encourages farmers to prepare a drought ready plan at least three months in advance, and offers development of individual drought plans, along with workshops and practical training.

LLS is doing in terms of support for preparedness and innovation for farmers across the state. “The LLS work includes the Saving our Soils project, which includes a confinement feeding workshop and demonstration site package and a manual for farmers. Confinement feeding is one great preparedness strategy that livestock farmers can adopt.” This $1 million project is a partnership with six farming system groups and the Soil Knowledge Network. “We strongly encourage farmers to do an individual drought plan, and it should be done three months in advance based on objective trigger points. Every farm is different and rainfall patterns can vary from farm to farm,” Dale says. Links to drought planning support and training and contacts for the Drought Adoption officers can be found at www.lls.nsw.gov.au/help-and-advice/drought. EMPOWERING MORE RURAL WOMEN

Karen’s positive experience at Rural Women’s Gatherings has inspired action beyond the farm with new part-time roles on the NSW Farmers Rural Affairs Committee and as a project officer for the new NSW Farmers Empowering Women in Farming Businesses project.

FROM ALGAE TO DIESEL

Renewable diesel can be produced not only from fats and vegetable oils, which are common to biodiesel, but also from a wider range of biomass and waste materials, including algae (pictured here) crop residues, and woody biomass.

The project kicks off this year and Karen has been tasked with establishing formal networking and learning programs to help connect women in agricultural businesses, or those looking to start a small business. This will be achieved through a series of networking and training events that are co-designed by women in different regions and organised by NSW Farmers with funding from the NSW Government. “This project recognises the immense contribution of females to the agriculture sector, and aims to

“Farmers are always subject to climate variability, and having faced significant drought and disaster impacts in recent years, know that having a plan and some certainty as to how best to prepare for adverse conditions is critical.” – XAVIER MARTIN NSW Farmers President

provide regional, rural and remote women with business-focused networking and skill development opportunities,” Karen says. “Local groups may identify the need for a particular skillset to be developed further in their local business environment. Examples may include website development, social media marketing channels, employment legislation, employee recruitment or drought decision-making skills.” Four key networking events for 2024 have been pencilled in for Griffith, Dubbo, Moree and the Hunter region with more locations to come. “These will be an opportunity for local agribusiness women to come together and share experiences and skills with each other in a relaxed setting,” Karen says. “We are seeking nominations for other locations interested in hosting an event for local farming businesswomen. NSW Farmers branch members have been invited to suggest topics of interest and potential guest speakers.” For more information on this project or provide input, contact Karen at wellerk@nswfarmers.org.au. The Empowering Women in Farming Businesses Program is funded by the NSW Government as part of the Women in Business Network Grant. l

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RENEWABLE DIESEL: THE FUTURE OF FARMING ENERGY How can switching to renewable diesel reduce our carbon footprint and enhance fuel security in farming?

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Words LIBBY-JANE CHARLESTON

ossil fuel-based diesel is a key energy source on farms, powering a range of equipment from tractors to generators and all post-farm transport. According to the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) there could be a better way forward, as switching to renewable diesel can offer several benefits as the sector continues to decarbonise. The NSW DPI is exploring the potential

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of renewable diesel as a transition pathway for the sector in the context of reducing carbon emissions and enhancing fuel security. Unlike biodiesel, renewable diesel can completely substitute traditional diesel fuel, sharing the same chemical properties as fossil or petroleum diesel without the aromatic impurities commonly found in fossil products. This compatibility means that storage, transportation, and existing diesel engines don’t need modifications to decarbonise.

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DIESEL DILEMMA

According to NSW DPI Energy Research Officer John O’Connor, renewable diesel differs from biodiesel in its production and composition. Biodiesel typically comes from processing oils and fats, where the feedstock undergoes a reaction with methanol to produce fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). It’s often mixed with fossil diesel in varying proportions, ranging from five per cent (B5) to 85 per cent (B85) but behaves differently to fossil alternatives. However,

INNOVATION RENEWABLE ENERGY

renewable diesel can be produced not only from fats and vegetable oils, which are common to biodiesel, but also from a wider range of biomass and waste materials, including algae, crop residues, and woody biomass. Renewable diesel production pathways differ dependent on feedstock. NSW DPI has hosted several webinars focusing on fossil diesel displacement. Mr O’Connor claims many of us are “addicted to diesel”. “That’s because diesel does all the work – so how do we move away from that? That’s the challenge we need to figure out. And with the Beyond Diesel series, we began looking at electrical tractors, methane tractors and hydrogen tractors. What we’ve found is it’s going to be difficult to transition away from diesel as we’re all heavily invested in it,” Mr O’Connor said. “You might want an electric tractor, but when you’re out in the middle of nowhere without the power to charge it, you’ll be in a bit of trouble. So after the first few webinars we started to think that it doesn’t look like we can easily change machinery – but what happens if we change the fuel?” Mr O’Connor said using a low-carbon diesel means you’ll be reducing your carbon footprint across the life cycle of large longlived machinery assets by a large percentage. The makers of renewable fuel estimate a reduction around 80 per cent. “And that puts you in a better position than if you changed to electric, as far as the emissions life cycle goes. So this makes sense – you don’t have to buy a new machine, you don’t change the machine or the fuel supply chain, but you change where you get your fuel from.”

“About 80 per cent of the energy used by NSW agriculture comes from diesel which is all fossilbased, and 90 per cent of that energy is imported.” – MICHAEL CASHEN NSW DPI Research Officer

FUELLING PROGRESS

For the last five years the team at NSW DPI has been working on a series of renewable energy projects. According to NSW DPI Research Officer Michael Cashen, the projects resulted in a clear understanding of agriculture’s reliance on diesel as a primary energy source. “About 80 per cent of the energy used by NSW agriculture comes from diesel which is all fossil-based, and 90 per cent of that energy is imported. So with issues around global insecurity and related supply chain risks, there’s potential exposure for Australia in sourcing fuel,” Mr Cashen said. “Also, in Australia’s quest to decarbonise, it’s important to note that diesel is a key input into modern efficient farming systems, as are nitrogen fertilisers and petrochemicals such as herbicides. However, these are all

SUSTAINABLE HAIR CUTS

Visitors to AgQuip Field Day could take advantage of of free hydrogen and solar-powered haircuts from the NSW Department of Primary Industries H2Cuts demonstration trailer.

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INNOVATION RENEWABLE ENERGY

fossil derivatives and produce a lot of carbon in the manufacture and transportation.” The NSW DPI is advocating for the agricultural sector to take cues from the aviation industry in developing strategies for sustainability. The aviation industry, as outlined in the CSIRO Sustainable Aviation Fuel Roadmap, has seen a dramatic increase in domestic emissions, with a threefold rise from 1990 to 2019. There’s also an anticipated 75 per cent surge in Australian jet fuel demand from 2023 to 2050. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is targeting a net-zero emission goal by 2050. Given the limited technological solutions for reducing emissions, decarbonising aviation is a significant challenge. However, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) has been recognised as a pivotal tool in this endeavour. This fuel type, depending on its feedstock and production method, can reduce carbon emissions by 60-100 per cent compared to traditional jet fuel, highlighting its potential as a model for other sectors to follow in their sustainability efforts. “If we want to decarbonise agriculture, it’s important to look at the aircraft industry because sustainable aviation fuel is exactly the same as renewable diesel – it’s made in a similar way, dependent on feedstock,” Mr O’Connor said. “So, with the aircraft industry making sustainable aviation fuel, the agricultural industry needs to consider the opportunities to be involved in renewable diesel production as organic feedstocks are required. The only difference is, instead of new carbon coming out of the ground, you’ve got existing carbon as your source for the fuel. You won’t be adding any new carbon, you’ll just be recycling the existing carbon.”

GREENER PASTURES

According to Mr Cashen, animal fats, referred to as lipids, can be turned into green fuels such as renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel, through a process called hydrotreating. Other feedstocks, such as stubble and forestry residues, can also be turned into green fuels through other processes, such traditional hydrotreating, pyrolysis and gasification. “When you produce sustainable aviation fuel you actually produce renewable diesel at the same time. The challenge will be trying to keep the cost of it low enough for farmers to remain competitive on a global scale,” Mr Cashen said. “The opportunity for farmers is they might be able to provide feedstocks used in the manufacturing of these green fuels and not replace existing long-lived capital investments such as machinery and existing supply chains as they transition to a decarbonised future. Farmers already have a lot of the potential organic feedstocks that can produce the fuel, such as stubble, animal fats, or trimmings from forestry plantations – there are several things that can be used

as a feedstock in the production of these new fuels. “The good news is it’s likely we’ll see more regionalised production of a variety of feedstock, so there’ll be a good opportunity in regional Australia for the creation of new refineries that produce these new fuels and farmers would benefit financially.” Mr O’Connor insists there is a clear way to decarbonise agriculture and heavy industry (which is diesel dependent) that doesn’t involve only transitioning to electricity. “It won’t be cheap and easy, but it is possible to have a decarbonised agriculture industry. It is possible to have fuel security and that will lead to regional development and jobs and a revitalised bush, all by doing one thing: pairing our existing diesel fleet with domestic renewable diesel. “It’s a long journey as there are just a handful of industries starting down that road, but the more people that know about it, the faster we’ll get to a position where we’ll have a more economical agriculture industry that’s not dependent on fossil-based diesel. l

FUELLING THE FUTURE

Above: The NSW DPI P2X Express hybrid diesel electric truck, fuelled with low carbon renewable diesel was at AgQuip Field Day as part of the Beyond Fossil Diesel Decarb Hub project. Below: Renewable diesel can be produced from biomass such as green algae.

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THE CLIFFS SHEDDING SHEEP STUD SAVE THE DATE – 14 TH FEBRUARY 2024 50 RAMS

Come and join us at our inaugural on farm Ram sale featuring our new breed of composite Sheepmaster Rams and Purebred Australian White Rams. The physical sale starts at 1.00pm and is interfaced with Auctions Plus. Viewing of Rams from 11.00am. 655 Stapleton Road Molong NSW Light lunch and refreshments will be available. ENQUIRIES: Peter Thomas Nutrien Ag Solutions Dubbo Ph: 0418 636 082

Phil Thompson The Cliffs Ph: 0419 879 273

A BUDDING OPP ORTUNITY

The Australian medicinal cannabis industry is predicted to grow to a market value of $1.3 billion by 2033, with big opportunities for Australian growers.

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TRADE MEDICINAL CANNABIS

SHAPING A HOME-GROWN MEDICINAL CANNABIS INDUSTRY Australian farmers are missing out on one of the fastestgrowing medical cannabis markets in the world. Compliance costs, a heavy regulatory burden and cheap imports have stymied investment from the farming sector in an industry that could blossom in regional areas.

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Words MICHAEL BURT

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ucy Haslam’s decadelong campaign for medicinal cannabis law reform has succeeded in improving patient access to the product, and encouraged investment into local operations. Prescriptions for medicinal cannabis have reached 500,000 since federal legislation passed in February 2016, and local crops grown under strict conditions are now springing up in regional areas. Regional NSW only has a handful of licensed medicinal cannabis farms, with two of the more advanced operations in Alstonville and Armidale now employing almost 100 people. The Australian industry is predicted to grow to a market value of $1.3 billion by 2033 and the NSW Parliament features a Legalise Cannabis Member of the Legislative Council in Jeremy Buckingham. All seems well for this emerging crop, but Lucy is distraught at what the industry has shaped into.

NURSE ON A MISSION

The former nurse’s push for medicinal cannabis law reform began after witnessing the positive impact on her son Dan’s quality of life while suffering through bowel cancer. Medicinal cannabis was illegal in Australia at that time, prompting Lucy and Dan to start the United in Compassion organisation in 2014 in Tamworth to advocate for patient access to herbal medicinal cannabis extracts. The Australian Government legalised the cultivation, production and distribution of the drug for medicinal purposes in 2016. Sadly, this was one year after Dan succumbed to bowel cancer. “My motivation has always been putting patients first by improving access to affordable quality products and building a healthy industry here in Australia,” Lucy says. “Australia is missing out on an incredible opportunity and importing a lot of cheap rubbish from overseas. Some companies are not serving their patients well. It’s all about making a dollar. >

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TRADE MEDICINAL CANNABIS

“My motivation has always been putting patients first by improving access to affordable quality products and building a healthy industry here in Australia.” – LUCY HASLAM Medicinal cannabis campaigner

“The Federal Government allowed imports because there was no domestic supply when it was first legalised. We expected that to be a temporary measure to fill the gap, but then came Covid-19 and the industry realised it’s much cheaper to buy it overseas, a model which predominates to this day. “The biggest problem for patients now is how to navigate the system to find good doctors who provide quality care and one-on-one consultation to assess whether a product is suitable. There are now around 500 products out there in the market. “I believe that has led to some patients getting second-rate medicines, which has caused me much grief over the past several years,” she says. Medicinal cannabis products are classified as either Schedule 3, Schedule 4 or Schedule 8 medicines, depending on the levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or tetrahydrocannabinol: cannabidiol (THC:CBD). Most medicinal cannabis products are Schedule 8 (S8) medicines, also known as controlled drugs. Products containing cannabidiol only are Schedule 4 (S4) medicines, also known as prescription only medicines.

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ORCHESTRATING CHANGE

Lucy is also co-founder of the Australian Medicinal Cannabis Association (AMCA), although she stepped down as chair in November after 10 years of service. However, her fight for patient access to quality products will continue through United in Compassion and her position as a life member of AMCA. Lucy said the ACMA has turned its attention to boosting domestic production through an Australian Cannabis Cultivators group launched in November. “We’ve spent a lot of our time in producing education materials for doctors, nurses and pharmacists. Now we have farmers and growers on the radar. “We have the best conditions in the world and the highest standards in the world to grow medicinal cannabis here and we are just not taking advantage of that. “The potential economic and employment opportunities could be huge for regional towns, and that is part of the reasoning behind the new cultivators group. “It is quite a specialised crop to grow for medicinal products and there are many strains, and there is much that can be learned from growers working together.”

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Lucy admits that the cost of establishing an approved facility for growing cannabis is a significant barrier for farmers. “The standards that you must achieve in a facility is incredible,” she says. “There’s lots of quality assurance compliance because you are making a medicine.” IN FOR THE LONG HAUL

NSW Farmers member David Blight is five years into seeking approval to grow cannabis varieties for medicinal products on a farm at Rossmore in Western Sydney. The second-generation farmer’s family business has an approved pharmaceutical processing plant and has been growing hemp for food consumption for five years. Their farming enterprise also includes Bringelly Pork & Bacon and Bringelly medicinal honey. David said they are waiting on approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to produce medicinal cannabis products. “The next step is to get the license from the Office of Drug Control. That used to cost around $5,000 a few years ago, now it is around $55,000,” David says. “We started out thinking it would take five years to get a license, but it’s looking more like it will take seven years. It’s a long process to get the tick in the box to say you can put a seed in the ground.” Cultivation, manufacture, importation and exportation of medicinal cannabis is tightly controlled by the Office of Drug Control (ODC), the TGA and local state and territories. “Then there is also the task of working with the medical sector to find a doctor who will prescribe your products. That’s where the big pharmaceutical companies have the advantage.” David says the current compliance regime is prohibitive for those involved in small-scale production. “The idea being driven by those who pushed for change to make it legal was that it would be part of a cottage industry for medicinal products, but that direction has changed. “It’s now a better economic proposal for larger companies who can invest and afford all the compliance costs than it is for small to medium sized farming businesses.” David said they will press ahead with their investment despite the significant barriers. “We are in for the long haul. The only way the industry can evolve is through further deregulation of the laws to enable farming businesses like ours to diversify into

medicinal cannabis products. We will be ready when that happens. We have learned that you need to diversify a farming business and it may well be that one of our future generations can develop that market. “It is a plant that has been used for medical purposes for thousands of years. The prohibition campaign in the US changed all that, but attitudes are swinging back towards its health and wellbeing benefits.” CARE FOR A CANNABIS SALAD?

New AMCA chair Emily Rigby says medicinal products are just one of many marketable attributes of the Cannabis sativa plant. “For farmers, there are so many opportunities beyond the medicinal world for this plant, from hemp production through to foods for human consumption and wellbeing products,” Emily says. “It has been an underutilised plant due to prohibition, but this is changing as we see Australia and the world coming out of prohibition.” Emily has a strong background in production horticulture and has

been involved in the establishment of a cultivation and research facility in southeast Queensland. Emily says an application was lodged with Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) in late 2021 to allow for the use and sale of low-THC hemp leaf, seed sprouts and roots for human consumption. Hemp oil and seed products were approved for human consumption in 2017. “We are eagerly awaiting the outcome of this application. Imagine going into a restaurant and ordering a plate garnished with cannabis microgreens. It won’t get you high, but it would be unique and healthy. “That opens a lot of opportunity for farmers to grow a viable crop, as it could be grown under a state hemp license if the application is approved,” she says. “We are hoping to be able to use more of the plant, such as the leaves, that do have nutritional value. There is a lot of leaf biomass waste in the medicinal sector that could be utilised.” THC, or Tetrahydrocannabinol, is the principal psychoactive constituent in cannabis that results in the ‘high’ for users.

Emily says Australian farmers do have the expertise to capitalise on commercial opportunities when it comes to producing food products from low THC cannabis plants. “We could also be a looking at the world of ornamental horticulture. It is a quite an attractive plant that has lots of diversity on offer as a garden or indoor plant – all low in THC of course – but this is not legal in Australia yet.” Emily says AMCA’s new Australian Cannabis Cultivators group will be a key plank in building collaboration and research amongst farmers growing cannabis for a variety of end uses. “While medicinal products are certainly a growth opportunity, it is a significant investment including installing all of the current security requirements, and there is still a large regulatory burden. “You are growing a schedule eight medicine with high THC varieties, so it is understandable that there will be security obligations and regulatory hoops to jump through.” l

A HELPING HAND FROM THE STARS

Clockwise from left: Olivia Newton-John joined Lucy Haslam’s campaign for medicinal cannabis reform in Australia; David Blight is seeking approval to grow cannabis on a farm in Western Sydney; L-R: Lucy’s son Dan, who passed in 2015 from bowel cancer, Lucy and her husband Lou. JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

THE FARMER

Queen B lights the way Dynamic Australian beeswax candle entrepreneur Cate Burton knows when she lights one of her pure beeswax candles it’s helping beekeepers, farmers and regional communities.

–

Words SUE WALLACE

READ IT ONLINE Photo courtesy of Sue Ferris.

THE FARMER

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

BUSINESS BEESWAX CANDLES

isgruntled and stressed with work as a Sydney-based corporate lawyer and marketing strategist, Cate was advised by a doctor to take up a relaxing hobby, so she started rolling candles made from pure beeswax in 1998. She gave handmade candles to family and friends, and they soon developed a following. That hobby gradually turned into her business, Queen B, and she now sells more than 150,000 handmade candles and 35,000 beeswax wraps annually in Australia and beyond. More than 20 years after founding her business, she has made and sold more than 2.5 million Australian beeswax candles and half a million beeswax wraps. “I am passionate about making the purest light in the world in a completely ethical way, touching lives and making a difference every single step of the process,” she says. “There is a certain quality that a handmade product achieves that churning a product out of a machine doesn’t.

“It extends to our Australian-made cardboard boxes that we ship orders in, the water-activated brown paper tape, the corn foam packaging fill that we’ve used for 20 years – which was nigh on impossible to find in the early days – to the beekeeping practices of the beekeepers we buy our wax from.” Cate says layer upon layer of thinking goes into everything they do that has nothing to do with business principles and everything to do with principles of humanity, sustainability and integrity. She is always concerned about the many cheap candles that flood the market that are made from petrochemical paraffin and bleached, hydrogenated soy wax candles that pollute the air. “They are much cheaper than pure beeswax but are toxic to burn – also by buying them you may keep someone employed in a factory in China, but if you buy our Australian made beeswax candles you help beekeepers, farmers and regional areas as well,” she says. Over the years she has formed relationships with her beekeepers and farmers which she says is vital to maintaining the high standard of her products that >

FROM HOBBY TO HIVE

Cate Burton (pictured above) turned a relaxing hobby into a successful business, producing over 2.5 million Australian beeswax candles and half a million beeswax wraps. For Cate, it’s important that sustainability is incorported at every step of the process.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

THE FARMER

BUSINESS BEESWAX CANDLES

include tea lights, pillars and tapers and food wraps. Queen B was the first company in Australia to make beeswax food wraps by hand. “I think of Queen B as being in primary production and our relationship with our beekeepers and the regional communities they live in is absolutely paramount,” she says. “If our beekeepers are experiencing drought, then so are we. If bushfires are affecting the forests where our beekeepers place their bees to forage, that affects us too. It probably doesn’t affect us that immediately or directly because I always sit on about a year’s worth of beeswax in store, but it affects me as someone who cares and chooses to stand by their side and be counted.” As well as the vagaries of drought and El Niño, Cate is also concerned about the varroa mite, an external parasitic mite that attacks and feeds on honeybees and is considered one of the most damaging honeybee threats. A significant varroa mite infestation leads to the death of a honeybee colony. “Varroa becoming endemic in Australia feels catastrophic to me because I think like my beekeepers. “The reality is that the price of Australian beeswax is down by about 40% on the world market which on the surface would seem to be a good thing for Queen B, but anything that isn’t good for our beekeepers isn’t good for us. I would far rather that Australian beekeepers didn’t have to deal with varroa mite and everything it entails and pay the world’s highest price for our beeswax than have the current situation.”

THE FARMER

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

STAND UP AND BEE COUNTED

There are plenty of challenges to overcome in the world of candlemaking, including the vagaries of drought, El Niño and the invasive varroa mite, which affects Australian beekeepers.

Cate has a very strong and passionate relationship with her beekeepers. “I do have enormous faith in my beekeepers but that is not a religious or blind faith – it is a faith that is earned through extensive conversations, visiting their operations and through experience. “I have been ripped off by beekeepers in the past – I had one beekeeper who was putting pebble stones into his blocks of wax, but you only get one chance with me when it comes to trust – I am very black and white on that.” A recent Monash University study into the impact of light exposure on mental health has backed up Cate’s long-term belief about the impact of pure beeswax flames on moods and wellbeing. More than 87,000 people participated in the world’s largest study on light exposure and its effect on mental health and discovered that increased exposure to light at night increases a person’s risk for psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, bipolar and PTSD severity as well as self-harm. The study, led by Associate Professor Sean Cain, from the Monash School of Psychological Sciences and the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health in Melbourne, also found that increasing exposure to daytime light can act like a non-pharmacological means for reducing psychosis risk. It’s about getting bright light in the day and darkness at night. For Cate, the study backs up 20 years of anecdotal experience and feedback and adds scientific backing

“I do have enormous faith in my beekeepers but that is not a religious or blind faith – it is a faith that is earned through extensive conversations, visiting their operations and through experience.” – CATE BURTON Australian beeswax entrepreneur

WAXING P OETIC

A recent Monash University study into the impact of light exposure on mental health has backed up Cate’s longterm belief about the impact of pure beeswax flames on moods and wellbeing.

to the importance of using pure natural candlelight at night for mental wellbeing. She says the flame of a Queen B candle always “blows her mind”. “Not only because I know the expertise that has gone into creating it – from the wax we source to the proprietary way in which we clean our wax, to the mind boggling amount of wick testing that we do to find the right wick but also because we get to work with what was created completely by nature in a process that I don’t think a sci-fi writer would even dream up. “The bottom line is that female worker bees – the body shape and wingspan of which means they shouldn’t be able to fly – regardless journey to tens of thousands of blossoms to suck up flower nectar and

collect pollen which is ripened into honey. The worker bees then consume this honey and extrude beeswax through wax glands on their abdomen by a factor of 10 to one, that is they consume 10 grams of honey for every one gram of pure beeswax they make. This provides the basis for the world’s original and purest form of light.” The beeswax Cate uses in her products is mindfully sourced from Australian bees and beekeepers throughout regional Australia, then cleaned for 48 hours and distilled to its purest form. It is so pure it is edible, according to Cate. When making wraps, the beeswax is mixed with other locally sourced products such as pure cotton, organic coconut oil and tree resin. Over the years Queen B has collaborated with high end companies including WWF Earth Hour, Cartier, Dom Perignon, Dinosaur Designs and Liberty fabrics. When she’s not rolling candles and working in her Northern Sydney warehouse, Cate enjoys gardening and cooking as well as the company of her adored Portuguese water dog, Magpie. Although she’d like more people to discover the positives of pure beeswax candles and support beekeepers and farmers, she’s pleased she took that advice about finding a hobby, all those years ago. queenb.com.au l

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10%

Discount to NSW Farmer Members

‘TIS THE SEASON FOR SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS It is scholarship season for independent schools in NSW, with regional centres and Sydney flush with life changing opportunities for girls and boys.

–

Words MICHAEL BURT

READ IT ONLINE

t may be tempting to look for the scholarship with the highest dollar value or at the closest school, but there are plenty of factors for parents to consider as part of the research process. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ for school scholarships, with every school offering something different in terms of the rewards and requirements. Some schools offer full scholarships, while others may offer a single-year scholarship, discounted fees or just cover tuition costs. The differences between a scholarship and bursary can also create some confusion for parents. Scholarships are awards of financial aid unique to each school, and are often judged on merits including academic performance, student character and values. A bursary is a kind of scholarship but is generally means-tested and available to help families that may have financial difficulties meeting the cost of tuition fees from their preferred school. Most importantly, parents should assess how the school will nurture learning and personal development. Fortunately, families in NSW are blessed with independent boarding schools that aim to foster good values, personal growth and excellence in education in those formative years.

THE FARMER

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

FRENSHAM GIRLS

Above: Mille and Alex Bolger from Wombat in the South West Slopes Region of NSW were Educational Grant recipients at Frensham School in Mittagong.

Regional centres such as Orange, Bathurst, Mittagong and Armidale are home to some incredible schooling and scholarship options. Some are located on hundreds of acres and offer spectacular extracurricular and sporting facilities. Sydney also chimes in with scholarship opportunities for rural families at award-winning schools like Loreto Normanhurst in the city’s northern suburbs. Here is what is on offer from five highly regarded independent boarding schools in NSW.

“Extension co-curricular programs in music, visual art, equestrian and cattle teams are matched with dedicated teachers and professionals who encourage students to explore new challenges.” – RICHARD FORD Head of College, Scots All Saints

SPECIAL REPORT EDUCATION

LIVING AND LEARNING TOGETHER AT SCOTS ALL SAINTS COLLEGE IN BATHURST

Regional families looking for boarding school options are drawn to Scots All Saints College in Bathurst for its open spaces, strong academic offering, co-curricular activities and vibrant, welcoming community. Set on over 200 acres, the day and boarding college has specialist programs in agriculture, music, visual arts and performing arts, a farm, and numerous sports facilities including a strength and conditioning gym, pool and playing fields. Well-appointed boarding accommodation is comprised of three separate houses, two for girls, one for boys, with an additional dedicated junior boys house to open in late 2024. All senior school living and learning facilities are located on one campus, allowing for boarding students to walk to class and easily access afterschool tutorial and homework programs, special interest clubs, sport and co-curricular activities. A dedicated bus transports boarders to a wide variety of out-of-school activities including sport, dance, music, shopping and entertainment outings. “Extension co-curricular programs in music, visual art, equestrian and cattle teams are matched with dedicated teachers and professionals who

FUNDING FUTURES

At Scots All Saints College you’ll find expansive facilities across 200 acres. Boarding students enjoy a vibrant community, dedicated houses and extracurricular activities.

encourage students to explore new challenges,” said Head of College, Richard Ford. “Students can bring their own horse to school for weekly lessons and regular training is provided by professionals in show jumping and flat work, cross country and polocrosse.” Scots All Saints College’s diverse range of scholarships are open for applications until 30 January for current and prospective students entering Years 5, 7, 9, 10 and 11 in 2025. >

A Catholic boarding and day school for boys in Years 7 to 12 Stannies is a community where boys can find their place, safe in the knowledge that they will be supported and challenged to strive for personal excellence.

Year 7 2025 Scholarships are now open. Apply online at stannies.com before 5 February 2024 Contact the College Registrar for more information at registrar@stannies.com or 02 6331 4177 www.stannies.com

@stanniesbathurst

SPECIAL REPORT EDUCATION

“We understand the financial challenges facing rural and regional families and have designed our bursary and scholarship program to encourage interested students to enrol, immerse themselves in college life and work hard to achieve their full potential.” Farming families are invited to attend Open Day on 10 February, to meet staff and students, tour the facilities and see first-hand the benefits of a Scots All Saints College education. For bursary, scholarship and Open Day information, visit scotsallsaints.nsw.edu.au or contact the Enrolments Registrar at enrol@scotsallsaints.nsw.edu.au or (02) 6331 3911. OPEN DAY AT LORETO NORMANHURST

Loreto Normanhurst’s award-winning holistic learning model and boarding facilities will be on show for parents and students at an open day on Saturday, 9 March. There is much to explore in the historic school’s expansive grounds, which will soon include a new innovative and purpose-built Boarding School due to open in 2025. “The new state-of-the-art boarding facility will foster an environment that nurtures personal growth and holistic development for all students,” said Director of Boarding Kate Kovacs.

OPENING D O ORS

Clockwise from top left: Students enjoying a cup of tea at Scots All Saints College; At Loreto Normanhurst, students are supported through their schooling, with self-confidence and a sense of connection a top priority.

“Students gain exposure to a broader spectrum of experiences, preparing them for future challenges and equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in diverse academic and professional settings.” – KATE KOVACS Director of Boarding, Loreto Normanhurst

THE FARMER

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

Mrs Kovacs said boarding has long been an integral part of Loreto Normanhurt’s identity, and that it is “interwoven into the fabric of our school”. “We proudly welcome over 85 per cent of boarders from regional and rural Australia, as well as students from across the Sydney basin, interstate, and overseas.” Mrs Kovacs said boarding at Loreto Normanhurst opens doors to a myriad of extra-curricular and curriculum options. “The immersive nature of boarding life not only provides a structured and supportive environment for academic growth but also introduces a diverse range of extra-curricular activities that fosters holistic development in sports, arts, leadership, and other enrichment activities. “Students gain exposure to a broader spectrum of experiences, preparing them for future challenges and equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in diverse academic and professional settings.” Independence, connections and friendships are nurtured at Loreto Normanhurst with comprehensive pastoral support that fosters self-confidence and broadens students’ perspectives.

Mrs Kovacs emphasises the importance of a sense of belonging and connection across age groups. “The sense of belonging is critical. It’s about feeling connected, not just with your immediate peers, but across age groups. When these girls leave school, they’ve got great friends and great connections.” To register for Open Day, visit www. loretonh.nsw.edu.au/pages/open-day. For additional information, feel free to contact enquiries@loretonh.nsw.edu.au MAKING A FRENSHAM EDUCATION POSSIBLE FOR ALL

Through assistance provided by Frensham School’s Scholarships Programme and Winifred West Foundation’s Educational Grants, girls from rural Australia are given the life-changing opportunity of a Frensham education. Two such recipients of these Educational Grants are Millie and Alex Bolger, hailing from the village of Wombat in the South West Slopes Region of NSW. Millie had seen the Frensham school calendar at a boarding expo and she also

“Boarding students immerse themselves in this storied history, becoming part of a legacy that values academic achievement, leadership and service.” – LINDSAY LUCK Head of College, St Stanislaus

knew some older girls in the Wombat/ Harden/Young area who attended the school. “They were great people to be around, who really loved their families. They were so inspiring,” Millie said, “and I wanted to be a Frensham girl.” When Millie was in Year 8, a local family wrote a beautiful letter of recommendation for her, and then the Bolger family began the application process for means-tested support. To the entire family’s great joy, Millie was awarded a place at Frensham, starting in Year 9. Alex followed Millie to Frensham and they both have so many

fond memories of their formative years in boarding at the school. “We would never have been able to put the girls through Frensham without the support that we received. Looking after ill parents, both of us working full-time, trying to give your children the best possible education… we’ve just been so grateful,” said their mother Gen. Frensham invites applications for Educational Grants from parents who are committed to the ideals of the school, and whose daughters have shown a strong capacity for involvement, the pursuit of excellence, and the heartfelt willingness >

FRENSHAM OPEN DAY 2024 Where boarding is a way of life

Saturday 24 February 12.00pm - 4.00pm CAMPUS TOURS HEAD’S PRESENTATION CLASSES IN ACTION

BOARDING & DAY SCHOOL FOR GIRLS 7-12 Range Road Mittagong NSW P: 02 4860 2000 E: enrolments@frensham.nsw.edu.au

www.frensham.nsw.edu.au

SPECIAL REPORT EDUCATION

to contribute to the welfare of others. It is intended that Educational Grants be awarded to those whose financial circumstances would preclude them from enrolling on a full-fee paying basis. Applications for 2026 support will open in March 2024. For more information, visit www.frensham.nsw. edu.au/admissions/scholarships. BECOMING A PART OF STANNIES HISTORY

Enrolling in the boarding program at St Stanislaus College is a transformative decision that promises not only academic growth but also the nurturing of lifelong values. Located in the picturesque town of Bathurst, Stannies fosters a unique environment where boarding students develop independence, resilience, and a strong sense of community. Living on campus creates a bond among students that extends beyond the school years, forging friendships that last a lifetime. The shared experiences, whether in the dormitories, during study sessions, or engaging in extracurricular activities, contribute to a rich tapestry of personal and social development for boys. The College has a long history dating back to its founding in 1867, and this tradition is woven into the fabric of daily life at the school. “Boarding students immerse themselves in this storied history, becoming part of a legacy that values

THE FARMER

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

BEYOND THE BO OKS

The historic institution of Stannies promises academic and personal growth, cultivating independence, resilience, and lifelong friendships among the students.

academic achievement, leadership and service,” said Head of College, Lindsay Luck. “The College’s commitment to holistic education is reflected in its approach to fostering not just academic success but also the development of well-rounded individuals prepared for the challenges of the future. “Enrolling your son at St Stanislaus College is an investment in his academic and personal growth. It’s a choice that goes beyond education; it’s a choice to embrace a transformative journey toward a brighter and more fulfilling future.” Beyond the academic curriculum, boarding students at St Stanislaus College benefit from extracurricular activities, sports, and cultural events. These opportunities provide a platform for students to discover and nurture their talents, be it on the sports field, in the arts, or through leadership roles in various student organisations. >

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SPECIAL REPORT EDUCATION

Stannies’ two-year scholarships are now open for Year 7 in 2025. The three categories are Academic, Creative Arts and All Rounder. The application is online at stannies.com. ACHIEVE AN ALL-ROUND EDUCATION AT KINROSS WOLAROI SCHOOL IN ORANGE

Kinross Wolaroi School immerses your child in a diverse and expansive co-curricular and academic program that fosters a growth mindset, builds resilience and builds a strong sense of self.

AROUND THE WORLD

Kinross Wolaroi School was recently granted membership to Round Square, a worldwide association of 230 schools in 50 countries which share a commitment, beyond academic excellence, to personal development.

“Many assume that the extraordinary education we offer at Kinross Wolaroi School is out of reach, but we are committed to creating pathways for talented young people, no matter their background or financial position.” – DR ANDREW PARRY Principal of Kinross Wolaroi School

THE FARMER

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

A leader in education for over 130 years, with 1,100 students from Pre-kinder to Year 12 and 350 boarders, the Orange-based school is one of Australia’s largest co-educational boarding schools. Boarding is available from Year 7 and boarders make up 40 per cent of the senior school, hailing from both city and country NSW, as well as interstate. The school offers co-ed boarding with boys and girls accommodated on separate campuses. Its 2025 scholarship and bursary program is open for registrations up until 26 January. The categories include Boarding Scholarships for Years 7-11 and Academic Scholarships for Year 5 and Years 7-11. “Many assume that the extraordinary education we offer at Kinross Wolaroi School is out of reach, but we are committed to creating pathways for talented young people, no matter their background or financial position,” said Principal Dr Andrew Parry. Dr Parry said the extra activities at Kinross Wolaroi School are what makes the school come to life. The extra-curricular choices include debating, cadets, the Duke of Edinburgh Award, musical ensembles, private music tuition, annual school musicals and much more. Alongside traditional sport options, the school also offers nationally recognised swimming and rowing programs.

Kinross Wolaroi School was also recently granted membership to Round Square, a worldwide association of 230 schools in 50 countries which share a commitment, beyond academic excellence, to personal development and responsibility. “As a Round Square School, we focus on the connection between character education and academic success, celebrating internationalism, democracy, environmentalism, service, leadership, and adventure,” Dr Parry said. “This provides our students with the opportunity to discover and explore experiences within a global context.” For more information about educating your child at Kinross Wolaroi School contact the Admissions Team on (02) 6392 0303 or email admissions@kws. nsw.edu.au. l

Boarding at Kinross Wolaroi School aims to offer a safe, secure and warm environment for all our 350 boarders. We pride ourselves on providing an excellent boarding experience, attracting students from both metropolitan and regional areas. Our highly motivated staff provide extensive support to our students, helping them discover and develop their individual talents.

“Kinross Wolaroi School immerses your child in a diverse and expansive academic and co-curricular program that fosters a strong sense of self. Our unique opportunities empower students to define what success is to them.”

A co-educational, Pre-Kinder to Year 12, day and boarding school located in Orange, NSW. Educating generations of successful students for over 130 years.

Dr Andrew Parry, Principal

Call our Admissions team on 02 6392 0303 or email admissions@kws.nsw.edu.au

02 6392 0300 | www.kws.nsw.edu.au | 59-67 Bathurst Rd, Orange NSW

CONNECTING THE PLOTS

Max Lawrence (pictured), the brother of Mobble founder Jock Lawrence, uses the app on their family farm in Avenel, Victoria.

THE FARMER

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

SPECIAL REPORT AGRITECH

TAKING UP TECH Precision agriculture has made a difference in farming businesses, but there are changing approaches to agricultural technology.

–

Words JEANETTE SEVERS

recision agriculture means farmers can sit down at the end of each season and review their inputs against productivity. This enables more accurate assessment of the return on investment to the farm business. Agricultural technology (agritech), on the other hand, is about developing the digital tools for measuring that ROI assessment. Digital technologies in the global agricultural space are expected to be worth $730 million in 2024. The Australian Farm Institute has estimated digital technologies can increase the gross value of production in Australia by more than $20 billion per year. The CSIRO has estimated digital innovation has the potential to deliver $315 billion in gross economic value in Australia in the next few years, making it a key indicator for the nation’s gross economic value. And at KPMG, it is estimated that one in three new jobs in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries will be technology related. However, one of the challenges with using agritech in Australia is connectivity. The Australian Broadband Advisory Council, set up to advise the Australian government, has identified connectivity is critical to the agricultural sector, which is populated by small and medium sized family businesses. While the Australian Farm Institute has estimated full adoption of digital agriculture could yield $20.3 billion in gross value, the ABAC believes to achieve this, telecommunications connectivity in regional and rural Australia needs to be farmer-centric. TECH FOR FARMERS, BY FARMERS

READ IT ONLINE

Although connectivity remains an issue, innovators are creating agritech that works around it. Mobble for instance, is livestock farm management software born from a need to keep everything to do with farm production simple. Mobble was created with offline capabilities and uses cloud-based software to connect multiple users and properties. “Mobble has been designed to replace the pocket-sized notebook that farmers have used for decades for daily note-making,” says founder and Chief Mobbler, Jock Lawrence. Developed by farmers for farmers, the idea behind Mobble emerged in 2018, on the Lawrence family farm in Avenel, Victoria, when they were looking for a practical farm management solution for their own production system. Jock Lawrence said Mobble was created to innovate and change based on users’ feedback. “Farmers know what they want,” he says. “It is really important to us that Mobble is built on farmers’ feedback, listening directly to what they need and applying that in an easy-to-use solution. Mobble covers livestock records, stocking rates, mob and paddock treatments, historical events and sales. It makes regulatory compliance easy.” > JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

THE FARMER

THE FUTURE OF FARM FUNDING

THE FARMER

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

SPECIAL REPORT AGRITECH

Jock said Mobble’s user-friendly capability means everyone involved can put data into the farm management software and understand the reports. “Beyond farm management, Mobble is a way to connect the team and increase engagement levels across the entire farming business,” he says. Mobble is offering a free 21-day trial for NSW Farmers members. Go to www. mobble.io SHAREFARMING WITHOUT OWNERSHIP

Food production and connecting farmers with consumers has been taken a step further by Invest Inya Farmer (IIF). IIF enables people to invest in farming under a cooperative model, owning livestock or crops that are managed by the farmer alongside their own herds and production systems. “It’s a form of sharefarm investing without owning the farm or equipment,” says IIF founder, Nathan MacPhee, of Mansfield, Victoria. “It also gives the farmer access to capital that means they can scale up their production.”

“It is really important to us that Mobble is built on farmers’ feedback, listening directly to what they need and applying that in an easy-to-use solution.” – JOCK LAWRENCE Mobble founder and CEO

Nathan says Invest Inya Farmer is a world-first approach to agricultural production and investment, and funds are sourced from everyday people. “When the crop and livestock are sold, everyone shares in the profits,” he says. “If the livestock prices drop or the crop fails, the farmer doesn’t bear the cost alone.” In the short time IIF has existed, 45 farmers from across Australia have come on board, and been matched with consumers interested in investing in their production. Everyone is connected through a smartphone app.

Nathan himself has invested in a variety of commodities on farms across Australia, including ginger, pineapples, watermelons, beehives, fat lambs and goats. “I love all things agriculture, and I’ve developed a way for other people to learn > about where their food is grown, how it is produced and marketed, and a way to support the realisation,” Nathan says. UPPING ADOPTION RATES

Before adopting digital agritech, farmers need to identify and quantify their risk appetites.

RISK AND REWARD

In adopting agritech, farmers must assess their risk appetites; however, government initiatives are aiming to incentivise and facilitate the integration of these digital agribusiness solutions.

THE FARMER

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

SPECIAL REPORT AGRITECH

“If the livestock prices drop or the crop fails, the farmer doesn’t bear the cost alone.” – NATHAN MACPHEE IIF founder

There is a lack of national mandated standards around storage and use of data in Australia, with the Privacy Act 1988 the principal piece of Australian legislation protecting the handling of personal information about individuals. This lack of mandated control prevents some people from adopting agritech. A farmer’s risk appetite might also depend on their production scale. Manufacturers of tractors and associated equipment expect their customers to provide personal and production data about how they use these assets. This data helps to identify faults

within the system that can be remotely managed, especially in a country as large as Australia where technicians are hours if not days away, and spare parts are often stored overseas. Crop assessment can be done remotely, but the validity and accuracy of that valuation is reliant on populating tools with data that is sufficient to provide a mean averaging for comparison. Reflecting the experience of farmers, the Australian government’s Digital Foundations for Agriculture Strategy is very clear that good connectivity is key to adopting digital agritech.

The Australian government’s AgriTech Expert Working Group identifies that the focus of national carriers is on population centres and key transport corridors, rather than local scale connectivity. This opens the door for innovation, including farmers installing bespoke solutions, and the rise of small and medium sized service providers deploying connectivity solutions at a fraction of the cost of the main carriers. In late 2023, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts announced the On Farm Connectivity Program, to provide rebates to eligible equipment suppliers for connectivity/solutions equipment sold to primary producers. Suppliers can claim between $3,000 and $30,000 for the agritech assets they sell and install where primary producers use them to improve connectivity and adopt digital agribusiness solutions. l

SAVING OUR SOILS The gig is up: soil will no longer tolerate being treated like dirt. Now, driven by the cost and availability of inputs and a changing climate, a significant shift towards regenerative farming techniques for soil health is underway.

–

Words CARLY MARRIOTT

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he importance of soil health is not news to anyone, with farmers using minimum tillage, beneficial crop rotations and groundcover for the sake of their number one asset for decades. However, the public and private agricultural sector are now combining forces and doing some heavy lifting in the regenerative research and development (R&D) space. This means farmers are looking down the barrel of a triple bottom line bullseye: improved production, healthier soil, and greater social license in the eyes of the ever-curious consumer (think food and carbon). Traditionally, regenerative farming techniques have been side-stepped in favour of more shortterm, economically motivated approaches. Could you be green manuring a perfectly good crop for the sake of your microbes or cashing that crop and making repayments? Thanks to a renewed focus and significant investments into the R&D space, the old adage, ‘it’s hard to be green when you’re in the red’ has been put to shame. Advances in biological nutrition, microbial science, and drought resilience strategies are painting a new picture. There’s profit in being green. FROM MICROBE TO MARKET

Tegan Nock from Loam Bio hails from Bogan Gate. She is a farmer by trade and now an entrepreneur

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LEADING THE CHARGE

Opposite, clockwise from top: Tegan Nock at Loam Bio in Orange NSW; Switch Ag potato trials at Wee Waa show farmers eagerness to take steps down a regenerative path looking to restore microbial life essential to soil health; The team at Switch Ag inspecting wheat at Cowra.

out of necessity. Prior to 2019, Tegan felt like she was ‘spinning her wheels’ when it came to the hard slog of sequestering stable organic carbon matter in soils. “We were keenly watching as researchers at the University of Sydney were identifying which microbes play the critical role in carbon sequestration and were hooked,” said Tegan. “They were looking at how microbes play a role in bridging the physical soil matrix with the atmosphere via plant processes.” Alongside four leading farmers, agronomists and climate specialists, Tegan founded Loam Bio and got busy working at the intersection of microbial science, agriculture and climate science. The Loam Bio team has developed new technology to increase stable soil carbon based around fungi colonising the root system of the plant. In a nutshell, it’s a seed treatment that employs microbial technology to support enhanced soil carbon sequestration, plant and soil health. It’s a win-win. Loam’s Orange-based outfit has now expanded to a global network of 135 soil scientists, microbiologists, data scientists, carbon market specialists, agronomists, sales and extension folk. Within the Loam Bio team sits over 20 PhD researchers who have what Tegan describes as strong skillsets in deep sciences. Loam Bio is marrying carbon agronomy with farmer-first soil carbon projects by integrating CarbonBuilder seed treatment into the SecondCrop soil carbon program.

SPECIAL REPORT SOIL HEALTH

“Switch Ag manufactures all our biological nutrition products at our facility at Cowra and we’re experiencing rapid growth.” – PETER CALKIN Switch Ag

> JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

THE FARMER

SPECIAL REPORT SOIL HEALTH

“Farmers can increase their soil productivity, participate in sustainable supply chains and enter carbon markets on their terms,” said Tegan. TILLING IT LIKE IT IS

Farmers and their trusty sidekick soil have been wheeled into the climate change arena as the world’s croplands have been identified as potential carbon sinks. Regardless of your political persuasion or belief system, your land has gone and established itself a side hustle. Peter Calkin from Switch Ag is far more invested in the main game of building soil structure, increasing water-holding capacity and nutrient cycling in the name of agricultural production, and the turf industry. “If you focus on the soil and plant health, you’re not as reliant on the synthetic fertilisers or pesticides. We aim to cut back on that reliance by using beneficial biology, carbohydrates, plant stimulants and organic acids to get the plant off to a great start. “Switch Ag manufactures all our biological nutrition products at our facility at Cowra and we’re experiencing rapid growth,” said Peter. With a background in construction and engineering, Peter changed lanes into agriculture 15 years ago and has been talking soil ever since. Peter, unlike most farmers, must perform for an audience. Switch Ag products have been put to the test on the turf at Australia’s leading sports stadiums, racetracks and golf courses with their products reaching all the way to Middle Eastern golf courses. “Golf courses and stadiums are just small farms! They have fungal disease and compaction issues from buggies and game play, as well as pH problems,” he said. Farmers and the turf industry are taking steps down a regenerative path looking to restore microbial life essential to soil health. “We work with croppers, vegetable and citrus growers, viticulturists, and graziers. Maximising soil health and nutrient availability is a priority for everyone,” said Peter. CULTIVATING CHANGE

This sentiment is being echoed by many others across the state,with the Southern NSW Drought Resillience Adoption and Innovation Hub identifying ‘Landscape Management’ as one of its top five priorities. According to the Hub, which received funding from the Australian government’s Future Drought Fund, improving soil management practices to balance production with ecosystem services and avoid degradation during drought is of great importance. A report produced by the Hub in conjunction with Local Land Services titled, ‘Saving our Soils: Groundcover trigger points for pasture resilience during drought’, explains the use of stock management areas as a drought resilience strategy. The report by Dr Susan Robertson (Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University) emphasises the

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GREEN GOLD

Above: Loam Bio shows advances in microbial science, giving farmers the option of being ‘green’ and profitable; 1 of 300 small plot trials carried out by Loam Bio assessing different microbes in different crops.

need to maintain groundcover across paddocks to ensure a quicker recovery from drought. The report identified that “overgrazed lands have an increased risk of soil erosion during drought with the loss of soil nutrients impacting on future productivity. Overgrazing may also cause pasture decline and weed invasion, further reducing productivity”. It is recommended that a groundcover threshold of 70 per cent is maintained in temperate regions, with a 50 per cent threshold for rangelands. Maintaining vegetation cover is singing from the regenerative farming hymn book, one that is being relied upon more regularly as drought frequency and intensity are predicted to increase. According to the NSW DPI, regenerative agriculture is defined as restoring and enhancing ecosystem function on farms and in landscapes through practices designed to work with the landscape, climate, livestock and people. This system-based approach acknowledges and articulates what custodians of the land have known for some time: there is no separation of farm and environment. They are one and the same relying wholeheartedly on healthy soils. Thanks to those working hard with innumerable bugs in jugs or managing endless trial plots, the future of Australian agriculture will inherit a regenerative streak. l

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COMMUNITY NEW GENERATIONS

A STRONG BOND

Mike (46) and Angie (44) Armstrong at Callubri Station in the Western Plains of NSW.

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Of lambs and luxury When the first generation of Armstrongs established Callubri Station in 1878, it’s unlikely they imagined guests sleeping in plush king beds, sipping cocktails in the shearer’s quarters or having a dip in a heated mineral swimming pool. But, almost 150 years later, that’s exactly what they’re doing.

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Words LUCY JONES Photography WOLTER PEETERS

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overing 28,500 acres in the Western Plains of NSW, around 50km south of Nyngan, Callubri Station sits on the edge of the outback, where green fields meet red dirt country. From the start, it has been a sheep station, producing merino wool and lambs. Today, it runs around 12,500 sheep along with more than 5,000 acres of wheat, canola, oats, lupins and barley. Mike Armstrong, 46, is the fourth generation to farm the property, and lives there with his wife Angie, 44, and their five-year-old son Eamon. “I believe you need to make your own decision to become a farmer, as it is not an easy job or particularly high paying,” says Mike. “Yes, you have job certainty on the farm, but the catch is you don’t know if you are going to be paid!” That explains why young Mike spent a number of years working in finance in Melbourne. “My family were very supportive in providing world experience and allowing me to start a career in banking, but there was always an expectation that I would return to the family business,” he says. “The excitement of the city and high paying banking jobs made the decision to move back more difficult. Eventually I realised that my job satisfaction in the corporate world was closely linked to the abilities of

the people above me, and job security was directly linked to market performance. On the farm, you get out of it what you put into it, and you own your own successes and failures.” AS FATE WOULD HAVE IT

FROM SHEEP TO SUITE

Mike and Angie Armstrong have transformed a historic sheep farm into a fivestar farmstay, with farm-to-table dining, scenic views and genuine connections with their family farming legacy. Photos by (top left then clockwise): Monique Wye and Jeph Chen).

In 2006, just six months after he returned to Callubri Station, fate threw a spanner in the works; he met Angie through his cousin at a party in Melbourne. Angie had a high-flying career in IT and no plans to move to a remote sheep station in the outback. And yet, the pair began dating over a 1,000km distance, eventually marrying in 2009. Coincidentally, Angie’s great-grandfather had grown up on a farm near Callubri. “By pure accident I ended up back out here where my family started,” she says. In the face of great personal change, it was Angie who had the idea to take the historic station in a new direction. “The biggest challenge for me moving out here was to find my groove in terms of work, and see what I was going to bring to the table,” she says. “I would jump on a header or tractor when needed, but it’s really important to have that sense of self-worth and purpose as a partner.” When the pair married in 2009, she made a resolution to start her own business and soon after The Cocky’s Wife catering company was born. Though >

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

THE FARMER

COMMUNITY NEW GENERATIONS

“I believe you need to make your own decision to become a farmer, as it is not an easy job or particularly high paying.” Mike Armstrong it began as a side project, it grew rapidly. “Soon I was catering functions for hundreds of people, so I needed an industrial kitchen. Then I sort of fell into running a café in the main street of Nyngan, also called The Cocky’s Wife,” she explains. But she recognised that this kind of hospitality wasn’t for her and wanted to incorporate her new home into the dream. “I knew that the next thing I wanted to run needed to showcase the history of this incredible property,” she says. Her ‘next thing’ was accommodation on the property. Angie could see that there was a gap in the Australian market; luxury lodges offer chic accommodation in remote places, but you won’t find any on a working farm of Callubri’s scale. Farmstays tended to be

very basic and didn’t offer the full five-star experience. Angie was sure that there had to be a middle ground, and so she approached the state tourism board, Destination NSW, for funding. “The first person I spoke to on the phone said ‘that’s a great idea’, and I almost cried,” Angie says. “That was the first time someone said ‘yes, that’s awesome, give it a shot’.” As well as that much needed confidence boost, Destination NSW matched funding dollar for dollar up to $150,000. FAMILY SUPPORT AND A LUXURY FARMSTAY

It was also important to have the support of the family across the generations. Callubri is still very much a family affair. Mike’s parents,

Charles and Lynn, live in Dubbo and Charles still comes out to work on the property a few days a week. “We admired the courage and enthusiasm and realised the next generation was ready to diversify,” says Charles. “It was a pretty big gamble,” Angie admits. “I had no background in tourism or accommodation, but my gut told me it would work really well out here.” She was right. Set on the banks of the Bogan River is the luxurious Callubri Station farmstay. Made from shipping containers stacked three storeys high (well above the potential flood level), it’s an ultra-modern design that juxtaposes the original farm buildings. “I was very wary of the history on the property, it has an incredible depth and authenticity,” Angie >

HIGH-END HISTORY

Many of the historic buildings on the property have been restored and repurposed, such as the old Shearer’s Quarters, which has become a rusticchic guest lounge where meals are served in the evenings. Photos by (clockwise from top left: Monique Wye and Jeph Chen).

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COMMUNITY NEW GENERATIONS

“The biggest challenge for me moving out here was find my groove in terms of work, and see what I was going to bring to the table.” Angie Armstrong says. “I didn’t want to take away from that.” The containers also have practical applications – they are mouse proof, dust proof and could be fitted out offsite. There are five Sky Suites, kitted out with pillow top king beds, ensuites with rain showers, mini kitchenettes, air conditioning and outdoor decks. The huge floor-toceiling windows offer epic views out over the property. The River Suite is an accessible king room with a ramp and full wheelchair access, and there’s also a three-bedroom cottage suitable for pilots or tour guides. The 12-metre heated mineral swimming pool is made from another shipping container and surrounded by plush sun lounges. It’s a chic set up designed to appeal to high-end groups travelling on private air charters, hopping across Australia in search of outback luxury. UPHOLDING HISTORY, AND REMAINING AUTHENTIC

Callubri Station’s future has also made it possible to preserve its past. Many of the historic buildings on the property – which include log cabins from the 1800s – were falling into disrepair. Without a financial incentive to maintain them, it would be difficult to justify the ongoing maintenance to keep them standing. “The older generation were excited to see the history restored and showcased to visitors,” says Angie. For example, the old Shearer’s Quarters has become a rustic-chic guest lounge where meals are also served in the evening. Dining is naturally a highlight. There’s a strong commitment to sustainable food and using locally sourced ingredients. “We use our own homegrown food in the meals, and we mill our own wheat for sourdough,” explains Angie. On the fully inclusive packages, guests will start their day with granola, yoghurt and housemade bread in their suite. Lunch is a ploughmans board featuring fresh produce from the gardens and a three-course dinner is served in the Shearer’s Quarters. Then there are the experiences that aim to connect guests with the reality of life on a 28,500-acre station. Depending on when they visit, guests can join in with the crop inspection, check on the lambing ewes or even lend a hand mending the fences. Shearing takes place for most of August and there are always a pack of working dogs hard at it. The glorious landscapes also make for excellent bushwalking, mountain biking, fishing and wildlife spotting, and the stargazing is second to none. The key to its appeal is authenticity. Farming is still the main industry on the property (“it does the grunt work of the income for sure,” Angie laughs) and that means that guests get to experience life on a real working station. “We didn’t want to put things on for the tourists,” she says. “The best experiences are the most authentic, so people are really joining us for a few days. Everything is hosted by the

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owners, and they are experiencing what’s really happening on the farm at the time. “We’ve all noticed that the things people love are the simple things. The stars at night, the red dirt, hanging out with a kelpie on the back of a ute,” Angie explains. “I think the country underestimates the power of those experiences, the really simple things that we take for granted when we live out here. Every guest is looking to disconnect from the city, put their phone away for a while and surrender to the rhythm of the land.” The concept sounds simple, but it has the potential to be revolutionary. Genuine interactions like these between urban dwellers and primary producers could close some of the gap between the city and the country. The Armstrongs talk to their guests about things such as responsible wool standards, animal welfare and the supply chain from sheep to shirt. “This is stuff that’s at the core of modern agriculture, and we’re here talking to end consumers about it. That’s incredibly rare,” Angie says. “It opens up questions and discussions about family farming, commodity farming, broadacre farming and dry farming. We can help create a shared understanding between consumers and producers.” CHALLENGES ON THE LAND

Building the farmstay also faced its share of challenges. Designs had to change drastically during the planning stage thanks to restrictive policies from local government and council. Once the accommodation was finally complete, Covid hit and lockdowns wiped out their intended visitor base. But challenges are all part of living out here. “There’s always that love/hate relationship with the land – drought, floods, pests,” Angie explains. “But now I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. It really is a land of opportunity. I wouldn’t have tried any of the things I’ve done if I’d stayed in Melbourne. Maybe necessity is the mother of opportunity out here.” Eamon’s not sure yet whether he wants to continue on the family farm, though he still has a few years to decide. At the moment, his favourite parts of station life are playing with the kelpies and driving on the tractor with his dad. Whatever comes with the next generation, the Armstrongs have opened up a new world of possibilities for him on Callubri. “I hope Eamon will explore the world and business opportunities out there,” says Mike. “And I hope that we can continue to build a profitable business in tourism and the production of food and fibre creating an option for him to consider.” Charles agrees. “Yes, it is important to have the property continue, but it must not become a burden. Each generation has to make their own life, and if that involves keeping the farm going, that’s great.” l

THE SIMPLE THINGS

Amid the luxury experiences, visitors to Callubri Station get the opportunity to experience life on a working farm, and connect with primary producers. Photos by Jeph Chen.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

THE FARMER

COMMUNITY MEET A MEMBER

A lifetime of farming and resilience: the remarkable journey of Philip Melbourne From becoming the NSW Farmers Narrabri Secretary as a teenager to a now veteran farmer, Philip Melbourne remains dedicated to the land.

–

Words LIBBY-JANE CHARLESTON

Born in 1931, Philip’s experiences as one of the youngest members of NSW Farmers – and now as the eldest member – not only reflect the evolution of farming practices, but also stand as a testament to the enduring spirit of Aussie farmers. As a teenager, Philip had already taken on significant responsibilities, becoming the Secretary of the Narrabri branch of NSW Farmers in 1947 when he was just 16. “At that time, there was only me and the president, and I was involved with the junior farmers. Back then, joining NSW Farmers was very easy. It involved just seeing the president, asking him if I could join and him saying ‘Yes’!” AGAINST THE ODDS

Growing up as the eldest of five on the family farm in Narrabri, Philip experienced the harsh realities of life, especially when his father went to war when he was only eight years old. “Throughout the war, my father was in the 8th division. He was a POW on the Burma railway line. So, mum had five of us to look after, and my youngest sister was born when dad was in the army.” The story of his father’s resilience is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who served. “My father was an incredibly tough man; he had his gall bladder taken out with no anaesthetic. A guard beat him with the butt of his rifle and knocked him down, then kicked him, busting his gall bladder. Sir Weary Dunlop operated on dad in the POW camp – four Aussies had to hold him down while Weary sewed him up with pig skin. He shouldn’t have lived – he wasn’t expected to live – but he did. “Years later, when Weary Dunlop opened an RSL in Tamworth, my dad took us to meet him and Weary couldn’t believe his eyes. He said ‘Well, Melbourne, you’re the last bastard I’d expect to see walking up Tamworth steps’!”

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CHOPPING CHAMPION

BRUSHES WITH FATE

Philip began competitive woodchopping in childhood at the 1938 Narrabri Show. Here he is with champion woodchopper David Foster.

The first farm Philip’s father owned in Narrabri was near Castletop – but that farm eventually sent him broke. “My father was drilling for water and all he could get was coal. He went out with a team, clearing bore drains and putting down tanks, but he had no luck there and then he went to war. While he was away, an aunt left my mother 220 acres at Stony Creek and

that’s where my father started farming again after the war,” Philip said. By the age of 20, Philip was keen to run his own farm, so he started share-farming, eventually buying the 310-hectare property near Narrabri, known as Merrigum. As he and his wife Anne navigated the challenges of parenting three daughters and a son, their life grew increasingly hectic. The farm’s primary production in the early years centred around fat lambs and wheat, while Philip later nurtured a keen interest in beef production. But ever-present was his passion for woodchopping. Philip began competitive woodchopping in childhood at the 1938 Narrabri Show. Over the years, he has participated in numerous local events until eight years ago, when an injury on his farm prompted his retirement. He’s certainly no stranger to injuries and has at least four tales of “near-death” experiences. One particularly chilling event occurred in his teens when he was flung from a plough, with a whip entangled around his neck and caught in the axle. It was only when the whip finally broke that he was spared from a fatal outcome. Another gruesome episode involved being kicked by a cow, which left him with severe injuries. “I was open from my collarbone to the end of my ribs,” he said. WORDS OF WISDOM

These days Philip lives 10km from Narrabri and, at the age of 92, he doesn’t let much stop him. “Just yesterday, I drove 260km to visit some friends. If I can drive a tractor for three hours, then I can drive for three hours, no trouble!” he said. When it comes to all the changes he’s seen across his farming career, Philip said the starkest changes involves transport. “From a young age, I drove horses. Dad was a real horseman, so we drove horses with a plough. After the war there weren’t too many farmers driving horses in a team sowing wheat. “The other big change is chemicals: when we used to farm there were no chemicals. But I think the toughest thing about farming today is the cost of machinery and tractors. I don’t know how people can afford them.”

“There are plenty of places you can go to for advice, and over the years NSW Farmers has been great, they battle for farmers all the time.” PHILIP MELBOURNE

SHARING ADVICE

Philip Melbourne tells farmers doing it tough to ask for advice from places like NSW Farmers as they battle for farmers all the time.

Philip’s best advice for farmers doing it tough: “You’ve got to battle on, grit your teeth and keep going. There are plenty of places you can go to for advice, and over the years NSW Farmers has been great, they battle for farmers all the time.” And the secret to his longevity? “For me, it’s because I’ve been a woodchopper all my life. That’s kept me fit and healthy and doing something I’m passionate about.” l JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

THE FARMER

MARKETPLACE

The Saleyards From skincare to swimwear, these Aussie-made products are designed to keep up with all your summer adventures. Compiled by MATILDA MEIKLE

SPLASHING AROUND

Using fabric crafted from plastic bottles, these kids board shirts are lightweight and quick drying for all-day use. The fun and colourful design pays homage to well-known Aussie animals. Young Squad prints all their designs on the Gold Coast, and employs a team of highly skilled seamstresses for a quality finish. $40 youngsquadonline.com.au

ROOM FOR MORE

This colourful range of bags was designed by Aussie mum Jacqui, who wanted to find a balance between stylish and functional products. The summer pack features an eye-catching print, and is perfect for picnics and holidays thanks to its large, insulated interior. $50 projectten.com.au

STEPPING UP

SOAK UP THE SUN

One Planet’s bags are designed to support you when trekking and camping in the bush. The Extrovert is intended for multi-day journeys and smaller adventures. The weather resistant fabric, hydration compatibility and sleek design will be there to support you through your next outdoor escapade. $399 oneplanet.au

We Are Feel Good Inc began when six friends wanted a product that felt good on their skin and kept up with an active Aussie lifestyle. Years later, they introduced their classic sunscreen, a lotion that families could trust, made with natural ingredients that are tough on climate, but not on skin. $29.95 wearefeelgoodinc.com.au

LOOKING SHARP

REFRESH AND RESET

Founded in 1984, Jimmy Stuart offers a range of unique and fashionable men’s shirts. The Herb Stripe Shirt is a perfect summer fit, with a lay back collar, flattering design and classy striped fabric. It’s made for long days in the sun, whether you’re enjoying the outdoors or relaxing with the family. $133.50 jimmystuart.com

Dopeskin is committed to creating affordable and effective skincare. Their five-step skin kit is designed to hydrate and rejuvenate, using natural ingredients such as hemp, kale and parsley seed to soothe dry and sensitive skin. Packed full of antioxidants, it will leave you feeling refreshed and happy! $184.75 dopeskin.co

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COMMUNITY FARM DOGS

Dug from Wolumla Meet Dug, a charmingly naughty Kelpie from the South Coast who loves nothing more than a few hot chips and a chicken nugget – preferably a neverending one. EDITED BY MICHELLE HESPE

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD?

Hot chips. Sometimes I get to go to the pub or the bowlo with the family and I find them under the tables. And chicken nuggets. The older, the better. I am so sweet-looking that babies sometimes throw them to me, especially if I try to shake paws. IF YOU BECAME FAMOUS FOR ONE THING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

My blue steel stare. It happens automatically if I get some nuggets and chips all at once, and someone asks me if I’m being ‘a good boy?’ IS THERE SOMETHING THAT DRIVES YOUR PARENTS MAD?

That I am a kelpie, and so I should be better behaved by now. They say they drew the short straw, but that I make up for it in charm. IF YOU COULD HAVE ANOTHER ANIMAL AS REAL NAME AND NICKNAME:

Sir Douglas Pawson, but Dug for short. My parents think they’re hilarious. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING TO DO ON THE FARM?

Chase the chooks and roll in mud puddles when it rains. For some reason every time I roll in a puddle I have to sleep on the back deck and miss out on couch time with dad.

down doonas had fallen off the clothes line and I had the best time ever ripping it all to pieces, until there were feathers everywhere. Like, everywhere. I remember Andy – who was only a toddler at the time – coming home and saying: “Mummy! It’s been snowing!” He was so happy. Everything went really quiet for a bit, and I knew the fun was over. WHAT IS YOUR WORST HABIT?

HAVE YOU EVER DONE SOMETHING REALLY NAUGHTY?

I confess, being naughty makes me happy. But once I was in really big trouble… I was only a puppy, and one of the goose

Eating my dinner so quickly that I get the hiccups. Now I have to eat it from three bowls that are 50 metres apart. My mum tried the muffin tin hack and I just tipped it over and ate it all at the same time anyway.

A FRIEND, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

A giant chicken nugget that lasted forever and kept replacing itself. FAVOURITE TOY OR THING TO PLAY WITH?

Crocs. But that only happened once and I was in massive trouble. You can’t tell me that they look like shoes. They look like my chew toys, especially when they have those little gummy bears stuck all over them. C’mon! WHAT DOES EVERYONE LOVE ABOUT YOU?

That I am the naughtiest kelpie they have ever met, but I look like the best behaved one in a line-up.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

THE FARMER

THE TAIL END

Swimming for mental health Brenda Norman, a PDHPE teacher from Deniliquin in southern NSW, has been raising funds for youth in her community through challenging open ocean swims. Words MATILDA MEIKLE

JUST KEEP SWIMMING

Since beginning her swimming fundraisers, Brenda has raised enough money to implement several important programs in Deniliquin. These include eight mental health first aid courses, a school mental health program, a new Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group website and more.

ack in 2018, droughts and social challenges had brought suicide and depression to the forefront of Brenda’s community, and she was searching for a way to support struggling young people. This inspired her to start Channel 4 Change, an initiative to promote youth mental health programs in Deniliquin. “I’m a big advocate for maintaining all forms of health. As a society we have a very good awareness about our physical health, and what it takes to maintain it, but we don’t have the same appreciation for mental health,” Brenda explains. “I started Channel 4 Change

to spark a positive focus on mental health.” The funds raised by Brenda’s campaigns go towards the Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group, a locally run initiative which encourages discussion and awareness of the importance of strong mental health. “A lot of the time, people raise funds for big institutes, and in the country, we never see that money. It doesn’t improve the situation for rural communities. So being able to raise money locally was really important to me.” Since beginning her swimming fundraisers, Brenda

has raised enough money to implement several important programs in Deniliquin. These include eight mental health first aid courses, a school mental health program, a new Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group website and more. AGAINST THE TIDE

In 2018, Brenda swam the English Channel: a total distance of 33 kilometres. Earlier this year, she took on her toughest challenge yet: the Northern Channel, a 34.5-kilometre stretch of water between Ireland and Scotland. While 2,000 people have swum the English Channel, only 100 have successfully completed the Northern Channel. “For me, the outcome was almost insignificant. The important part was talking about mental health, and raising funds for mental health, which we definitely achieved,” says Brenda. Over the course of the swim, she noticed some similarities between open ocean swimming and the struggle for mental health. “People look at marathon swimming and think that it’s a solo sport – just you and the elements – but it’s very much a team sport. You need people in your corner to help you accomplish the mission. And it’s the same when you’re struggling mentally. Reaching out and talking to your loved ones can make all the difference. That’s what I want to show.” If you need someone to talk to, Lifeline is always there to help you. Call 13 11 14 l

THE FARMER

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

Workplace Relations

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The Farmer January-February 2024

Articles inside

ADVERTORIAL: KEEPING FARMERS IN CONTROL

SPECIAL REPORT: AGTECH

SPECIAL REPORT: EDUCATION AND SCHOLARSHIPS

SPECIAL REPORT: SOIL HEALTH

BUSINESS: BEESWAX CANDLES

CURRENT AFFAIR: DROUGHT RESISTANCE

BIOSECURITY: POLICY

THE BIG PICTURE: THERE GOES MY HERO

THE BIG ISSUE: WATER MANAGEMENT

TRADE: A CHEESE BY ANY OTHER NAME