The Farmer March-April 2021 by The Intermedia Group

Safer sheds for shearers

Cancer in the country

Top tech for your farm

Battling the wild dog

Better conditions to attract & keep staff

Bringing the bad statistics down

Making sure your farm is as smart as you

What's being done and how to help

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MARCH - APRIL 2021 / $ 9.95

United we can stand The comeback of the co-op

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Telstra’s digital innovation means the future of farming is already here The Australian Farm Institute predicts that the full adoption of digital agriculture by Australian farmers could generate an additional $20.3 billion of value to the sector. Telstra is already supporting this adoption by developing the digital platforms farmers need – like our Data Hub and Australia’s largest internet of things (IoT) network – to help make the future of farming a reality today.

Protecting data for farmers At Telstra, we take data security very seriously, which is why we support initiatives like the NFF’s Australian Farm Data Code. The Code aims to promote adoption of digital technology, by ensuring that farmers have comfort in how their data is used, shared and managed. The approach behind the Code aligns with Telstra’s commitment to customer privacy and the way the Telstra Data Hub operates.

Telstra Data Hub – secure, central and scalable Telstra’s Data Hub is a secure central location where data from numerous systems, devices and providers is all ‘plumbed’ together. This enables the

exchange of data in real-time, passing crucial data in a private, secure and highly efficient manner to enable better decision making and improved applications on diverse farming operations. For example, water and agronomy systems can use the Data Hub to ‘work together’ to know when, where and how much water to use, and allow farmers to check the status of the system from anywhere they are connected. The two systems can interact in real-time and gather on-farm data from IoT equipment so there is almost no need to manually input data into the system. Extend this across 10 or more systems that farms usually have and the synergies, economies of scale and cost reductions become increasingly apparent.

Employing IoT to streamline farming Such exciting solutions are enabled by Telstra’s communication networks, particularly our Narrow Band and LTE-M IoT Networks, which we designed especially for long reach and transmitting data from IoT devices on farms and across other rural industries. Telstra’s NB-IoT coverage now extends to almost four million square kilometres and our LTE-M coverage reaches almost three and a half million square kilometres making it Australia’s largest IoT network.

Telstra is invested in your success Telstra has created comprehensive digital solutions so that farmers can make smarter decisions with what they already have and achieve greater efficiency. While our role isn’t to replace the tractor or to be agricultural scientists, it is to help provide farmers with the ability to see in real-time what’s going on across their entire operation.

Telstra is here to build a connected future where everyone can thrive, especially in such an essential Australian industry. Our commitment to continue investing in rural, regional and remote Australia through infrastructure and new technologies will support the goal to transform Australian agriculture into an industry worth $100 billion by 2030.

More information Find out more about the Internet of Things, our IoT network coverage and solutions at Telstra.com/ iotcoverage

Telstra’s IoT Network Coverage Type of coverage NB IOT Coverage with an integrated antenna NB IOT Coverage with an external antenna

See inset

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 41 Bridge Road, Glebe NSW, 2037

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–CONTRIBUTORS Darren Baguley Emily Herbert Ian Lloyd Neubauer Jeanette Severs Jocelyn Pride Lisa Smyth Lucy Knight Michael Burt Phil Somerville Rachel Lenehan Sandra Godwin Susan Gough Henly Tony Blackie NSW FARMERS

CEO Pete Arkle MEDIA RELATIONS MANAGER Michael Burt HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS & ENGAGEMENT Kathleen Curry MAGAZINE CONTENT TEAM

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MANAGING DIREC TOR Simon Grover GM OF OPERATIONS Chris Baker FINANCE MANAGER Mina Vranistas PRODUC TION MANAGER Jacqui Cooper HEAD OF DIGITAL Pauline Grech HEAD OF EVENTS Beth Tobin The Farmer magazine 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.

Keeping Varroa mite at bay

A history of NSW Farmers

Regenerative agriculture

Calm farms of lovely lavender

Protecting our precious bee industry

The Association through the ages

It all starts with healthy soil

An industry set to soar in 2021

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hen putting together every issue of this magazine, I love reading about the many different opinions, compiled and shared by our journalists, straight from the mouths of those on the ground and at the forefront of Australian farming. The more debate there is, the more passionate tales come through. And it’s a joy seeing the wonderful photoshoots that bring those stories to life. In every issue, there are always pieces that strike a special chord, and make me realise how important these stories about our members’ lives truly are. Some can save lives, such as our feature on page 20 about the prevention and treatment of cancer amongst country folk. Most of us know someone who has been dealt the cruel blow of cancer, and sadly most of us also know someone who didn’t make it. What astounded me, however, was the rates of survival if cancer is detected and treated, and the many preventative services, dedicated organisations and people on the ground aiming to bring those terrible statistics down. And their message to everyone – whether you live in the city or in the country – is that once you are in the age bracket where you are more vulnerable to cancer, get tested. And if you have symptoms or just feel that something is not right, act on it. You know your body better than anyone else. We are all busy, and working on a farm, the days, nights, weeks and months can all blur into one another. It’s hard to grasp how it is even possible to get tested and then if needed – treated – while taking time away from your life, land and work. But the bottom line is – your health is the most important thing that you have, and

we are only given one body. So have a good read of the story on page 20, take it in, and please pass it on to someone who needs to read it. Hopefully we can save some lives. On a much lighter note, we’ve also covered a prized vintage tractor collection, checked out some cool new smart gear for farms, offered some guidance on starting your own business, and looked into the beer boom in the bush. I swear, soon every town in NSW will have its own brewery, and that’s got to be a good thing, right? Something that the past year has driven home for many, especially with recent barley and wine tariffs (read about China’s wine tariffs and its ramifications on page 26) is that we all should buy more Australian produce. That’s not a big ask – let’s all do our bit and buy Aussie wine and beer. Cheers to that, and a great 2021 filled with health, happiness and prosperity.-

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. 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 per cent biodegradable.

Photo by Rachel Lenehan

MARCH - APRIL 2021 / $ 9.95

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United we stand The rise of the co-op

THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

Contents TOOLS

THE MUSTER NEWS

NSW Farmers’ election report and policy priorities for 2021; Cancer treatment in the country; The ACCC’s report on perishable goods; The ongoing fall-out from China’s wine tariffs �� 6

ENVIRONMENT

FOR THE LOVE OF TRACTORS

THE WILD DOG BATTLE

To many farmers, the tractor is an imperative part of operations. And for some, they are also cool machines to collect and admire ��

The extension of the NSW Border Wild Dog Fence will tip the scales back towards sheep and goat producers �� 82 58

SPECIAL REPORTS

THE BIG PICTURE

INVESTING IN TOMORROW SHEARING REFORMS

In order to secure and retain shearers, conditions for them need to improve �� 16

Forward-thinking NSW farmers are installing their own systems or partnering with renewable energy companies to gain reliable income �� 62 FARMS OF THE FUTURE

THE BIG ISSUE FROM LITTLE THINGS, BIG THINGS GROW

Farming co-ops have been around for more than 140 years, and a new wave of them is ensuring that the way they're run improves and makes way for more �� 34

The Internet of Things (IoT) is having a massive impact on the way we live, and it is quietly revolutionising agriculture �� 66

After 113 years of dairy farming on the north coast, you could say the Bake family have milk running through their veins �� 86 THE GREAT DEBATE

Finding the right balance with backpacker labour on farms �� 92 MEET THE TEAM AT NSW FARMERS

Checking in with Ben Antenucci at NSW Farmers’ Association ��

Meet Sam Evans’ dog Jinxy ��

MEET A MEMBER

GLITTERS GOLD?

City folk are flocking to the country in their masses. Is that a good thing? �� 70

SETTING UP A NEW BUSINESS

Creating our own business and making a success of it is not an easy task, but if you take some advice from others, you might well make it work �� 42

NEW GENERATION: THE BAKES

FARM DOGS

TREND THE TREE-CHANGE: IS ALL THAT

BUSINESS

COMMUNITY

A profile on NSW Farmers’ Members Neil and Kay Barwick ��

THE TAIL END

Shearing the Rams painting comes home �

MARKETPLACE SALEYARDS

Some new products to check out ��

INNOVATION BUSINESS

8 FARMING TRENDS ON THE RISE

A dive into some awesome agricultural trends that analysts are betting on in the decade ahead �� 46

TRADE

A tree-change for two former Sydneysiders has resulted in a Southern Highlands enterprise ��

THE NOT-SO HUMBLE POTATO

Potatoes are a valuable horticultural crop in Australia that make up a fifth of Australia’s vegetable production. ��

Texas Angus Stud continues to showcase the fact that their bulls are some of the best on the market �� 74 A RISING TIDE LIFTS ALL BOATS

BEER FROM THE BUSH

Craft brewing is the fastest growing cottage industry in regional areas. How can farmers join the bandwagon? ��

TEXAN BULLS WITH SCOTTISH LINEAGE

Proud Tooraweenah Prime Lamb Marketing Co-op Members – (L-R) Matt Howard and Paul Lambell.

MAR - APR 2021

THE FARMER

The Muster l ENVIRONMENT

Agriculture and emissions Words NATIONAL FARMERS’ FEDERATION CEO TONY MAHER

The NFF’s climate policy is clear: farming and agriculture cannot be worse off going forward with any carbon commitments or emissions reduction schemes. The NFF has a clear climate change policy that supports an economy-wide Net Carbon Zero (NCZ) 2050 target with two clear caveats – that there is an economically viable pathway forward and agriculture is not worse off. Agriculture is in a unique position – different to any other industry, in that farmers can sequester carbon and reduce emissions. Agriculture is too important to leave out and too important to ignore. Agriculture has been hurt in the past, through the Kyoto experience, when farmers were left carrying the burden of the nation’s emissions reduction task. That simply can’t be allowed to happen again. Between 1996 and 2016, agriculture has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 63 per cent. The red meat sector has reduced CO2 emissions by 56.7 per cent since 2005.

NFF’s CEO, Tony Maher

Farmers are in the box seat to seize the opportunities from a reduced emissions future – and many are already doing just that. Any policy that restricts opportunities available to farmers and rural and regional communities would clearly be a negative outcome. A demonstrated proactive approach to emissions reduction, is also a factor for continued and expanded access to valuable export markets. There is a lot of positive work underway, led by both government and industry, to establish the benchmarks and frameworks needed to measure agriculture’s contribution to sequestering and reducing emissions, particularly in the highly complex area of soil carbon.

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It is important this work is completed before determining agriculture’s role in any national emissions reduction target. Time to develop better decision tools and continue to explore innovation leaps, and then implement them, are very important in the complex world of agriculture. Care needs to be taken that agricultural land does not get transferred into carbon sinks that are subeconomic, havens for feral plants and animals and a fire risk. Offsetting is a legitimate solution that must meet economic viability thresholds that allow benchmarked income and proper management.

DROUGHT SUPP ORT

Ongoing drought support measures were a key plank of the Coalition’s commitments made during the 2019 state election campaign.

KATHLEEN CURRY

KEY TO THE

Head of Communications and Engagement

GOVERNMENT ’S PRO GRES S ON PROMISES:

GREEN: On track ORANGE: Needs work RED: No progress

l ELECTION COMMITMENTS REP ORT

How the NSW Government is going on delivering its election promises to farmers

MICHAEL BURT

Media Relations Manager

expert panel to identify up to 15,000 kilometres of councilmanaged roads to hand back to the State. An interim report and priority recommendations is expected this year.

In early March 2019, then Minister for Primary Industries Niall Blair wrote to NSW Farmers’ President James Jackson outlining the Coalition’s election commitments if it won another term in office. Minister Blair encouraged NSW Farmers to publicly share the letter, and it was.

EXPAND FUNDING FOR THE FARM INNOVATION FUND BY

Two years since the Coalition won its third term in office, we look at where the government is at on delivering its election promises to farmers and regional communities, and what NSW Farmers is doing to make sure promises are kept.

A FURTHER $350 MILLION

Words KATHLEEN CURRY AND MICHAEL BURT

FARMERS

ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW INDEPENDENT NSW AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER WITH LEGISLATED POWERS TO DEFEND THE RIGHT TO FARM

NSW Farmers led the calls for NSW to have its own Agricultural Commissioner. In August 2020, the NSW Government announced the state’s first agricultural commissioner, with the position going to Daryl Quinlivan. NSW Farmers welcomed Mr Quinlivan’s appointment to the position and said a key component of the role “will be to advance an improved planning system, one that effectively recognises and protects agricultural production”.

An important element of the position – the promise that the role would be equipped with legislative powers to defend the right to farm – has not happened, and NSW Farmers remains committed to continue its advocacy efforts to ensure this promise by the Coalition is fulfilled. AN EXTRA $1 BILLION TO REPAIR REGIONAL ROADS AND BRIDGES

The State Government instigated a $500 million Fixing Local Roads program in 2019, providing funding to councils to assist in reducing the local roads maintenance backlog. The Australian Government committed an additional $191 million to the program increasing total

AND EXTENSION OF THE FUND AVAILABILITY TO COMMERCIAL FISHERS AND AQUACULTURE

funding to $691 million. In round one of the program, $250 million was directed to 258 projects in 83 Local Government Areas. Applications for round two of the Fixing Local Roads program are currently being assessed and will be announced “shortly”, according to Minister for Regional Transport Paul Toole. No aging timber bridges have been replaced under the complementary $500 million Country Bridges program. However, the Deputy Premier announced on February 5 that more than $290 million will be shared across 54 councils to upgrade 424 bridges. The NSW Government has established an independent

The Farm Innovation Fund complements the NSW Government’s Drought Strategy and is a long term, low interest rate loan for NSW farmers for permanent on-farm infrastructure. Farmers have used it to build dams, install irrigation systems, improve fencing, build hay sheds and silos and do environmental works. The election commitment increased funding for the state’s overall drought response to about $1 billion in 2019. Other drought support initiatives such as transport subsidies and mental health services were also expanded. Farmers can now use the Fund to borrow from $250,000 to $1 million per farming business and it has been widened to include

MAR - APR 2021

THE FARMER

The Muster farming cooperatives. The fund was expanded to include oyster farmers and other aquaculture producers in June 2019, with the opening of the Seafood Innovation Fund. “The Coalition and Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall get a big tick for this one and other drought support measures. The Farm Innovation Fund is an exceptionally good program and they have expanded the criteria and eligibility as promised. We would like to see it further extended to include softer infrastructure such as netting,” said NSW Farmers President, James Jackson.

designed to bring metro-level internet speeds and service to regional NSW. Work is currently underway on the development of the Mobile Coverage project and the Gig State project is going through a two stage tender process. The NSW Government says investment in largescale digital infrastructure is a new area for it, so detailed planning is being undertaken to make certain the program delivers better access to mobile, internet and digital services. $1.4 BILLION TO IMPROVE WATER SECURITY ACROSS

$400 MILLION FOR BETTER

THE STATE, INCLUDING

MOBILE AND INTERNET

$650 MILLION TO RAISE THE

CONNECTIVITY ACROSS

WYANGALA DAM WALL

REGIONAL NSW

There were many water security announcements during the drought period focusing mainly on maintaining supply to towns in regional areas for critical needs. There was also the emergency drought water carting rebates and the Safe and Secure Waters Program that could have been included in this commitment. Therefore, it is quite hard to track whether the $1.4 billion

Based on feedback from Members, there has not been a noticeable improvement in mobile coverage and connectivity in many parts of regional NSW. The $400 million election commitment to improve internet connectivity can be divided as follows – $300 million for the Mobile Coverage project, aimed at banishing more black spots across the regions and $100 million for the Gig State project,

for water security has been spent and where it has been spent. The $650 million for the raising of the Wyangala Dam wall is joint funding from both NSW and the Commonwealth Governments. The project is in its initial stage with the full business case and Environmental Impact Statement set to be released in the first half of this year. DELIVERY OF AN AGRIPRECINCT ALONGSIDE THE NEW WESTERN SYDNEY AIRPORT

It was NSW Farmers who first flagged the idea of a Fresh Food Precinct at Sydney’s second international airport at Badgerys Creek. NSW Farmers worked with KPMG on its report: “Think Big Think Fresh: A Fresh Food Precinct for Western Sydney Airport outlining the economic benefits for NSW agriculture.” The project appears to be on track with the airport expected to be up and running in 2026. The State Government did sign a Memorandum of Understanding with German logistics company DB Schenker to build a digital freight and logistics hub to complement the agri-precinct.

18 NEW RURAL CRIME INVESTIGATORS

Six rural crime investigator positions have been created across regional NSW since the election. “These appointments recognise the real challenge that exists around farm trespass and theft,” NSW Farmers Policy Director, Rural Affairs Kathy Rankin says. As the government’s term is at the halfway mark, NSW Farmers is encouraging the Police Minister David Elliott to prioritise the positions for the remaining 12 rural crime investigators. $24.4 MILLION FOR THREE DOPPLER RADAR WEATHER STATIONS IN WESTERN NSW

NSW Farmers would have liked to have seen faster progress on the three Doppler radars. NSW Farmers first requested the Doppler radars in our Budget submission to government in 2017 and again in 2018. Funding was committed in the 2019/2020 Budget. The good news is the NSW Government is set to have all three operational by 2022. The first one at Brewarrina has been delivered with a government spokesperson saying it was “delivered in record time and on-budget”. Construction of the second, at Hillston-Ivanhoe, has been fast-tracked and the third, at Parkes, is on schedule. DUPLICATION OF THE GREAT WESTERN HIGHWAY BETWEEN KATOOMBA AND LITHGOW

NSW Farmers’ President James Jackson and CEO Peter Arkle ensuring that the agriculture sector is front of mind with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Deputy Premier John Barilaro

THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

After rounds of community consultation in 2019 and 2020, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Paul Toole, announced the awarding of contracts to design and prepare environmental assessments for the Eastern and Western sections of the $2.5 Billion project in December 2020. Mr Toole said the eastern section of the upgrade

extends from Katoomba to Blackheath – excluding Medlow Bath which is being progressed first – and the west package extends from Little Hartley to Lithgow. The central section is still undergoing options analysis. EXTENSION OF THE WILD DOG EXCLUSION FENCE AND THE WAIVING OF WESTERN LAND LEASE RATES

Construction of the 742-kilometre extension to the Wild Dog Exclusion Fence commenced in September 2020 (read more on pages 78-81) “The NSW Farmers Western Division Council advocated tirelessly for the exclusion fencing to be extended, and this was a policy priority leading up to the 2019 state election,” said NSW Farmers Western Division Council chair, Greg Rogers. Western Land Lease rates were waived for the next billing period following the state election as a part of the Coalition’s drought support package. This relieved almost 1,700 rural leaseholders in the Western Division from a fixed annual cost that ranged between $500 and $75,000.

A COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT PACKAGE FOR THE DAIRY INDUSTRY INCLUDING THE APPOINTMENT OF A FRESH MILK AND DAIRY ADVOCATE

Nowra dairy farmer Ian Zandstra was appointed as the first NSW Fresh Milk and Dairy Advocate in September 2019. Mr Zandstra has worked with members of the NSW Dairy Industry Advisory Panel to develop a draft NSW Dairy Industry Action Plan, which was released for public consultation last year. The NSW Farmers Dairy Committee has provided a submission on the Action Plan’s 29 recommendations, which are spread across four themes – RD&E, Confidence, Skills & Business Resilience and Stronger Futures. The dairy industry package also included a pledge to extend access to the cattle underpass project, which has not been delivered.

ROAD S AND BRID GES

The Deputy Premier announced on February 5 that more than $290 million will be shared across 54 councils to upgrade 424 bridges.

safety rebates. Rebates of $500 on drones were made available as part of the program in March 2019, as a result of lobbying efforts from NSW Farmers. The State Government topped up the program with $2.2 million in November 2020, extending it until June this year.

AN ADDITIONAL $2.8 MILLION FOR THE QUAD BIKE SAFETY

$30 MILLION FOR A REGIONAL

IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM,

COMMUNITY ENERGY FUND TO

INCLUDING DRONE REBATES

HELP REGIONAL COMMUNITIES

The Quad Bike Safety Improvement program did score $2.8 million in funding as part of the NSW Budget 2020-21 for training and

TO BUILD THEIR OWN LOCAL CLEAN ENERGY PROJECTS

The NSW Government appears to have spent just over half its election

FLEXIBLE, HIGH-PERFORMANCE M O N I TO R I N G T E C H N O LO G Y F O R A N Y S I Z E FA R M .

commitment for regional community energy projects. In March 2020, $15.4 million in grant funding was awarded under the Regional Community Energy Fund. The funding was awarded to seven proponents to create renewable energy projects in regional NSW that benefit local communities. The NSW Government says these projects will unlock nearly 17.2MW in electricity generation and up to 17.9MW/39.3MWh of energy storage, leveraging approximately $36 million in private investment.

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COW IS DIAGNOSED WITH CLINICAL MASTITIS AND TREATED WITH ANTIBIOTICS COW STARTS RECOV ERING COW RETU RNS TO NORMAL L EV EL S CALL 1300 138 247 TO CONNECT WITH A LOCAL MONITORING EXPERT

The Muster

l NSW FARMERS' COMMITTEE PRIORITIES

Paddock to Policy Priorities for 2021 Words EMILY SIMPSON

THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

he NSW agriculture industry has a busy decade ahead, as it gears up to meet its goal of $30 billion in output by 2030. At the core of NSW Farmers’ advocacy will be the farmers’ voice, which is heard through the 20 committees and councils who help translate industry priorities to audiences at Macquarie Street and Canberra. Our ‘paddock to policy’ approach covers everything from cattle and oysters to water, trade, and land use. As well as being central to our policy formation, the committees help paint a picture of the Association’s history. From the addition of oyster growers in 1995 to a merger with the NSW Chicken Growers Council in 1998, our advocacy landscape has been through numerous iterations. The NSW Farmers’ grassroots structure would be considerably poorer without the five to ten dedicated individuals who comprise each group, not to mention the fearless Chair to lead and represent them. Each year, the committees set a priority agenda for the twelve months ahead, outlining the areas they want to focus on to progress their respective industry or focus area. Coming off the back of prolonged drought, bushfires and now COVID-19, the committees will be united in their efforts to build the resilience of NSW agriculture and regional areas through advocating for stronger profitability, enhanced risk management for farm businesses, and business continuity.

CATTLE

SHEEPMEAT

Drive adoption of extension research.

Promote lamb survivability and best practice.

Understand and leverage consumer demand and advocate for our protein to be the protein of first choice in light of growing popularity of alternative protein.

Improve traceability across the NSW sheep industry and consider best options for members. Ensure adequate funding and resourcefulness of biosecurity extension organisations such as LLS, educate producers of their biosecurity obligations, and advocate for stronger enforcement of Livestock Production Assurance (LPA).

Drive improved traceability across the NSW cattle industry, including through new traceability technology, promoting uptake of NLIS, and educating members on their responsibilities under traceability systems. Develop a sustainable and representative red meat industry. Be a leader in the development of industry strategy for profitable and sustainable beef industry in NSW, for example through helping implement the Meat Industry Strategic Plan 2030 and supporting achievement of carbon neutral 2030 goals for the industry.

Develop a sustainable and representative red meat industry structure, advocate for a levy structure that is focused on and funds key industry priorities, and ensure best practice animal welfare standards are maintained across the supply chain.

WOOL

GOATS

Support research and adoption programs that assist in increasing lamb survivability.

Work to ensure no additional requirements for harvested rangeland goats or requirements on depots.

Engage with peak industry bodies to better understand trade and market access activities.

Drive education on impacts of wild dogs on the industry.

Develop a response to the Sheep Sustainability Framework. Engage with peak industry bodies to better understand biosecurity issues and improve traceability within the industry through better compliance with NVDs. Promote best practice for animal welfare and ensure impact of predators is minimised. Ensure through education and training the shearing industry is seen as a professional industry, and promote the advantages to members of improved shearing conditions and high shed safety standards.

Better understand registration of AgVet chemicals for use by the goat industry; ensure mob-based system is retained and drive compliance. Ensure new programs developed by ISC are relevant for goat producers and advocate for greater government investment in wild dog management. Support producers’ understanding of meeting animal welfare and biosecurity obligations and strengthen trespass laws to protect graziers from animal activists.

DAIRY

EGGS

Continue to advocate for the achievement of a sustainable profit margin for farmers and creating a fairer operating environment between farmers, processors and retailers.

Promote a balanced animal welfare regulatory framework in NSW that supports commercial animal production.

Continue to advocate for fair and competitive dairy supply chains. Promote a staged approach to structural industry reform which addresses immediate and longer term needs of the industry and dairy farmers in NSW.

Ensure industry integrity is maintained, for example through mitigating the biosecurity risk of Salmonella Enteritidis on the industry. Advocate for the protection of all production systems from further regulatory intervention.

PORK

POULTRY MEAT

Advocate for proper biosecurity protocols in NSW in the event of an exotic diseases outbreak such as African swine fever.

Advocate for fair and sustainable contracts for poultry meat growers.

Aim to minimise the market share of imports in the Australian market and alert consumers to quality Australian products.

Develop and implement Poultry Meat Programs to assist poultry meat farmers in their business.

Promote understanding of pork production in the broader community, and mitigate the influence of unbalanced comments on community views.

Facilitate communication to ensure Poultry Meat members are supported in their dealings with processors, for example through regular pool system checks and supported contract negotiations.

Ensure producers are protected from illegal farm incursions and surveillance. Advocate for a balanced regulatory approach from the government that supports commercial livestock production.

MAR - APR 2021

THE FARMER

HORTICULTURE

GRAINS

Advocate for international freight assistance and development of new markets.

Engage with Innovation and Technology working group on discussions about data use in agriculture.

Secure funding for flying fox netting and advocate for continuation and support of the Seasonal Pest Absence protocol trials.

Continue to work with grains industry and NFF on farm income protection insurance research.

Develop harvest labour solutions for the 2020-21 season.

Encourage investigation of diverse markets for Australian grain products.

AG SCIENCE

OYSTERS

Advocate to ensure farmers can continue to access GM technology.

Increase the NSW Farmers oyster membership by demonstrating the value of being a member. This will be actioned through increased communications, events and member benefits.

Hold cross-industry discussions on the future of protein. Encourage greater investment in on-farm biosecurity research, work with industry and community groups to create local solutions to managing spray drift, and ensure chemical training requirements in NSW are fit-for-purpose. Advocate for continued access to pesticides including glyphosate, and ensure clarity on licensing requirements for access to chemicals and poisons.

There is no single point of contact when water quality issues occur, meaning responsibility can be shifted between various agencies. We will lobby for a streamlined process and a ‘one-stop-shop’ on water quality matters. Many growers are still experiencing land base tenure issues. We will liaise with Crown Lands to remedy issues and investigate how more security may be afforded to licence holders.

ANIMAL WELFARE

BIOSECURITY

Improve programs and processes to build preparedness for times of emergency, such as drought.

Work with service providers to manage biosecurity risk on-farm.

Promote understanding of the importance of animal health and biosecurity controls.

Improve information-sharing, harmonisation of regulation and collaboration between jurisdictions.

Ensure the animal welfare legislative framework is grounded in science, and is modern and appropriate for commercial animal production.

Advocate for a balance between trade and biosecurity concerns.

Advocate for a sustainable long-term funding model for biosecurity.

Develop strategies for positive welfare outcomes in areas such as livestock enterprises, processing plants, saleyards and livestock transport. YOUNG FARMERS COUNCIL

BUSINESS, ECONOMICS & TRADE

Advocate for first time farm buyers to be exempt from stamp duty. Advocate for access to low cost financial services and affordable start-up finance for young farmers.

Infrastructure and supply chain advocacy for a viable infrastructure network that delivers productivity benefits by improved integrated movement and OSOM access.

Develop and deliver young farmers business program workshops to increase farm business profitability and mitigate risks.

Energy and fossil fuel transitions to ensure that farming businesses are appropriately engaged and supported. Improve business conditions and minimise finance impacts through legislative and taxation reform across local, state and Commonwealth responsibilities. Trade expansion through advocacy to reduce the impact of international trade conflicts; enhance WTO dispute mechanisms; and improve market access through Free Trade Agreements and Government support and development measures.

THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

NSW FARMERS COMMITTEE PRIORITIES

WESTERN DIVISION COUNCIL

RURAL AFFAIRS

Managing and preventing feral and invasive pests and weeds impacts by ensuring timely construction of the dog exclusion fence extension and ongoing effective management of kangaroos and Hudson Pear.

Maintain focus on drought and bushfire management by promoting robust agricultural policy to help mitigate impact of drought and natural disaster management; and improve responsiveness to disasters by strengthening communication between emergency services, NSW Farmers members, and the broader farming community.

Roads and transport improvement advocacy for road maintenance funding and heavy vehicle regulation that is fit for purpose. Maintaining a focus on Lightning Ridge agricultural land management and transparent licence requirements for prospecting and private exploration. Ensure effective local services delivery through ongoing advocacy for improved utilities and local services, particularly telecommunications, postage, health delivery and banking services.

Advocate for essential service delivery, including for equitable access to telecommunications for rural and regional communities; prioritise rural policing to address rural crime and farm trespass; and appropriate resourcing to ensure sustainable health services in rural and regional communities. Identify opportunities to promote expanded food & fibre education curriculum K-12 and advocate for core and expanding workforce skills and opportunities that enable farm innovation, diversification, and technology enabled productivity. Continue to highlight the importance of equity in access and outcomes for students and their families in rural and regional areas.

CONSERVATION AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

WATER TASKFORCE

Ensuring the correct balance is struck between agricultural profitability and environmental protection through regulatory changes and purpose built codes of practice.

Improving water access opportunities in the coastal zone, through advocating for increased Coastal Harvestable Rights.

Making the experience for users engaging with the state and federal environmental legislation simpler and more efficient. Ensuring Government uphold their tenure neutral commitment to pest and weeds management on public land. Drive ‘Right to Farm’ reforms to increase business certainty, including by understanding, mapping and protecting our most important agricultural assets; and reducing unnecessary layers of red and green tape that are subject to change with the government of the day and create uncertainty and barriers to investment.

Advocating for flexibility and improvements to the Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) projects to minimise third party impacts. Driving recognition that an additional 450GL cannot be recovered from the consumptive pool without profound disruption to agricultural production and regional communities. Ensure floodplain harvesting reforms protect floodplains and retain riparian landholder rights.

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THE BIG PICTURE SHEARING

ith shearer numbers declining by more than 30 per cent in the past decade, wool industry representative bodies have been holding urgent meetings with unions and shearing contractor organisations to develop new policies to confront the issues driving shearers out of the sector. NSW Farmers is also looking at ways it can promote the wool industry and shearing as a solid career option to young people in order to attract more shearers. A new self-assessment tool for farmers has just been launched to examine wool shed safety and general workplace conditions. While pay rates and incentives for shearers and shed staff can be lucrative, shearing bodies insist the hard manual labour can and does take its toll physically, leading to career longevity and retention rates now becoming a critical issue threatening the wool supply chain. In addition, the conditions in many wool sheds are still viewed as sub-standard and often dangerous. Figures from Worksafe Australia reveal injuries to shearers are now six times the all-industry average, forcing many out of the sector early or deterring potential shearers completely. And 50 per cent of the injury cost to the sheep industry comes from shearers’ back injuries, which flows into higher insurance rates, workers compensation claims and lost time. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, shearer numbers nationwide have dropped by around 32 per cent in the past decade – and a whopping 23 per cent in the past five years alone. The decline in numbers is accelerating. This is leading to long delays to the start and finish of shearing in some regions, with implications for animal health such as increased flystrike or grass seed problems on top of general farm management issues and delays. Farm lobby groups, including the NSW Farmers Association and WoolProducers Australia, have acknowledged high injury rates and poor working conditions are contributing to a major shortage of shearers, which were exacerbated by COVID-19 restrictions on interstate movement and travel from NZ as well as a short shearing window last year due to wet weather. They are supporting industry moves to improve the working conditions in sheds and help reduce injury rates as part of a broader industry strategy to train and retain more young shearers. The ‘SafeSheds’ program was launched in November 2020, and is targeting the whole wool harvesting industry from growers, through to shed staff and pressers to help address safety issues at shearing time. Developed by AWI and the West Australian Shearing Industry Association, SafeSheds is a selfassessment program available in three formats (hard copy, downloadable pdf or desktop/mobile app) and >

THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

Shearing reforms Major steps are underway to help reduce accidents and injuries in Australian woolsheds in a move which will hopefully encourage more young shearers into an industry crying out for staff.

–

Words LUCY KNIGHT

SUB-STANDARD CONDITIONS The conditions in many wool sheds across Australia are considered sub-standard and often, dangerous.

MAR - APR 2021

THE FARMER

THE BIG PICTURE SHEARING

Photo by Rachael Lenehan

can be completed wholly or in sections related to pre-shearing, induction and post-shearing. While not formally an accreditation program, it does provide farmers with renewed information about their duty of care obligations and provides a best practice guide and checklists to self-assess current working conditions. Australian Wool Innovation’s woolgrower services project manager, Henry Ridge, says the program was a proactive measure being taken by the industry to encourage new thinking about workplace safety. Henry says providing safer conditions in sheds has been an ongoing challenge for the wool industry. “Any investment in sheds is an improvement and will allow the industry to promote a safe workplace and conditions to its workforce,” Henry says. He says all information is relevant to new and existing wool sheds, and what was considered appropriate in areas such as ventilation, lighting and temperature was the same regardless of whether a shed is new or not. He explains that recent moves encouraging the adoption of electric shearing plants with an automatic cut out, and replacing old overhead machines, were now considered ‘best practice’ for the industry, and are encouraged in the program. NSW Farmers’ wool committee chair, Helen

THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

BEHIND THE SCENES

Clockwise from top left: Analysing the microns in some freshly shorn wool; Clean-up time after a long day of shearing; Click go the shears – an antique photo of sheep shearing in Australia in the early 19th Century; Clean toilets for men and women are expected in modern wool sheds; A hearer hard at work.

Photo by Rachael Lenehan

NSW Farmers survey woolgrower members on shearing conditions A survey of the Association’s woolgrower members, conducted in December 2020, found just over 50 per cent of respondents had difficulties securing shearers last year. Results from the survey, completed by 189 members, will give the Association a better picture of current labour shortages in the wool harvesting industry, and help guide the NSW Farmers’ policy response, due in early 2021. More than 90 per cent of those surveyed said they believed there was a shearer shortage, with most respondents blaming factors such as COVID-19 restrictions and border closures, JobSeeker payments, the hard nature of the work and competing industries like mining as the main causes for the shearer shortage. More than 70 per cent said they used contract shearing labour, and close to 30 per cent of respondents said they had increased the amount they pay shearers to above award wage rates in order to attract staff. Just over 50 per cent of respondents rated their shed facilities as ‘average’, while more than 40 per cent rated their facilities as ‘high’, and more than 80 per cent of those surveyed said their sheds were 10 or more years old. More than 70 per cent of those surveyed gave their kitchen, shower and toilet amenities a medium to low rating. More than 80 per cent said they were satisfied by the quality of the work being undertaken, yet close to 50 per cent said the industry could do more to attract more shearers. Close to 90 per cent said shearing and shed hand work should be recognised as a registered trade, in the same way as plumbers or electricians.

Carrigan, says it is important to acknowledge the majority of sheep and wool producers are doing the right thing when it comes to safety and meeting safety standards in the workplace, and many are prepared to update and improve their sheds when they are financially able to do so. “No one wants an accident on their farm or in their shed and producers are always open to making improvements in their workplaces when new safety information comes to hand,” Helen says. She says the Association supported the roll out of the SafeSheds program to help farmers self-assess their facilities and make them work for everyone. “As an industry we do need to be making gradual changes and improvements, combined with better communication, which will be beneficial for the long term,” Helen says. “After years of drought not all people are in a position to financially afford big changes to woolsheds right away.” But Shearing Contractors Association of Australia secretary, Jason Letchford, says wool growers need to change their mindset around woolshed conditions and aim for best practice conditions and amenities if they want to compete for staff long-term. MAR - APR 2021

THE FARMER

THE BIG PICTURE SHEARING

SAFER SHED S TO DRAW IN THE SHEARERS

Clockwise from left: Hilton Barrett's new safe wool sheds that he hopes will attract and retain good shearing staff; Hilton at work inside one of the new sheds; Brand new shearing quarters and holding pens. (All photos by Rachael Lenehan.)

“Minimum standards are not going to attract labour to your woolshed,” Jason says. “If farmers are going to be in the sheep business long term, what do they need to do in terms of attracting staff? Simply ticking boxes on codes of practice and minimum standards are not going to be enough.” Jason says while he thinks the SafeSheds program could go further, it is a good process for producers to go through. AUSTRALIAN CHAMPION TURNS EFFORTS TO SAFE SHED DESIGNS

Attitudes of “that will do” will not be good enough for a wool industry struggling to find shearers and shed staff, according to Dubbo-based shearing contractor and wool grower, Hilton Barrett. Hilton – a former world record holder and Australian champion shearer who runs Central West contracting business, Help ‘em Shearing – joined forces with AWI to develop the ‘Arrow Park Shearing Shed Project’ which designed a blueprint for the most safe and efficient shearing shed. AWI funded the research aspect of the project and industry experts were consulted during trials and final development of the shed design. Hilton then built the shed on his farm, ‘Arrow Park’, north of Dubbo. He says farmers need to be encouraged to build new sheds because current conditions are turning people away from shearing as a career.

THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

“There is no shortage of young people wanting to try work in the shearing industry as a career, yet many only stay a day or two as they cannot cope with the current conditions,” Hilton says. “We can provide training to staff, however if the conditions in woolsheds continue to decline, we will continue to see people leave the shearing industry.” He believes the shortage of shearers and shed staff will only get worse next year. “It is unacceptable these days for shearers and shed staff to be working in conditions that are notoriously unsafe, with extreme weather conditions, no running water, no fresh drinking water, no fridges, no flushing toilets,” Hilton says. “In my opinion, minor upgrades are not good enough. We need to be encouraging the industry to build new sheds. The majority of shearing shed builders are using out-ofdate shed designs, with most being unsatisfactory and unsafe. “Considering the sheep industry is a $4 billion business, I would like to see farmers apply pressure to the National Farmers Federation to lobby the Australian government for interest free loans and/or shed subsidies.” He says the wool industry now has one of the highest workers compensation rates in the country, with injuries sustained in old, unsafe woolsheds. Sheep have also evolved and are

FAST FACTS

numbers dropped 32 per cent  Shearer in past decade to shearers is now six times  Injuries the all-industry average

now much bigger and heavier, and sheds need to be modernised for shearers and shed staff to cope with the bigger animals, he adds. “Raised boards are dangerous, farmers should not be including these in a new shed. And no lacquered boards,” Hilton says. “Any overhead gear that isn’t antilock technology should be illegal.” Hilton has called for tighter regulations around woolsheds and shed working conditions to lift safety standards, including new sheds. He urges all farmers building new sheds to look at the ‘blueprint’ on the AWI website for the latest guide on what to include and, just as importantly, not include in a woolshed, and extended an open, ongoing invitation for anyone interested to inspect his own shearing shed. The blueprint is now available to all woolgrowers free of charge on the AWI website. Visit: www.wool.com l

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The Muster

l HEALTH

Cancer support in the country The facts are undeniable. If you live in rural Australia and are diagnosed with cancer, you have up to 13 per cent higher chance of dying than someone diagnosed in the city.

–

Words TONY BLACKIE

ne might think that this scary statistic is due to there being less help available to country residents, but that’s not the case. It’s mostly due to the patient’s failure to seek medical help when symptoms arise. And the situation is worse where men are concerned. Many men put off seeing a doctor because they don’t want to be away from the farm, they’re too busy to spend time having multiple tests, or they hope that if symptoms are ignored they’ll just go away eventually. Dr Florian Honeyball is an oncologist based in Dubbo who loves the bush and the people who live there. This is a good thing because he spends much of his time driving around New South Wales, from Cobar to Coonabarabran, Mudgee to Walgett and back again, holding clinics to diagnose and treat cancer patients. His patch is roughly the size of Germany. Florian has one simple message for anyone experiencing potential cancer symptoms: “You need to get yourself into town and get checked if things are not right. It could be absolutely nothing but please, go and get checked.” He and his team have been providing support for cancer patients throughout the region, linking in with other oncology units in other parts of the State. They also work closely with a range of other screening and

THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

education services provided by the NSW Government and the Cancer Institute of NSW. Over the years one of the major limitations for cancer support and indeed any kind of emergency or specialised medical support has been sheer distance. Nevertheless, continuing work to deliver those services in a regular and timely way to country people has been the agenda of successive State and Federal Governments. Breast screening is now more readily available and country women have much greater access through regional hospitals and the mobile screening services. A program jointly funded by the Federal and NSW governments, BreastScreen NSW, provides free two-yearly breast screening to the most vulnerable group – women aged from 50 to 74. But the service is also available to women from 40 to 49, and those 75 and over if they want it. Locations of mobile breast screening facilities are available online at www.breastscreen.nsw.gov. au/your-mammogram-appointment, allowing women to check when the service will be in their town or nearby, and to book a check-up. This vital service combined with regular check-ups with the local GP provides early detection and rapid response treatment that, as Florian and his many associates would say, can make all the difference between life and death.

D O CTORS ON THE MOVE

INCREASE OF SURVIVAL RATES

Above: A mobile breast screening clinic. Locations of these types of facilities are available online at breastscreen. nsw.gov.au; The region that oncologist Dr Florian Honeyball (left) services in NSW is the size of Germany; (far left): A patient quietly awaits care.

Chief Executive Officer of the Cancer Institute NSW, Professor David Currow, says that greatly increased screening rates for breast, bowel and cervical cancers has meant survival rates have also increased. He points out that there are 16 mobile breast cancer screening vans moving between 200 centres in NSW, bolstered by another 40 fixed sites throughout the State. Combined with increasingly sophisticated communication services this means results from screenings can be received very rapidly. David also says that education is a large part of the solution. A great deal of work continues to be done > MAR - APR 2021

THE FARMER

The Muster in rural and remote areas and with indigenous communities to highlight the importance of early identification of symptoms and to educate people on preventative action. Services for people living in rural NSW are improving daily. The proliferation of radiation oncology centres means most people are now within 100 kilometres of a service. Hematology and surgical services are also more readily available, dramatically reducing the need to leave country areas and head to the city for cancer treatment. However, he agrees that for rare cancers such travel is often unavoidable, restating the importance of education around preventative lifestyle changes such as giving up smoking, reducing alcohol intake, a balanced diet and increased physical activity combined with regular checks and early diagnosis wherever possible.

GET TESTED REGULARLY

The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is a free service where a test kit is sent out to all eligible Australians between the ages of 50 to 74, once a year. The test is quick and easy to do at home and is very accurate. Research consistently shows that nine out of 10 bowel cancer cases can be treated successfully with early detection, significantly reducing the number deaths from bowel cancer in Australia. The same can also be said for other cancers such as prostate. In the past, the invasive nature of the test put many man off the idea. These days however, it is merely recommended that men between the ages of 50 to 69 have a PSA blood test every two years. For men whose risk of prostate cancer is higher than average, such as having an already

Where to get help CANCER COUNCIL

The 13 11 20 Hotline provides a free, confidential information and support service providing help for cancer patients, people living with cancer, their families, carers and friends, teachers, students and healthcare professionals. Visit: cancer.org.au/ support-and-services/support-groups CANCER AUSTRALIA

Here you will find a full list of government-provided screening services as well as information on community based services. Visit: canceraustralia. gov.au/affected-cancer/cancer-supportorganisations CANCER INSTITUTE NSW

At cancer.nsw.gov.au there is a great deal of helpful information providing updates on services. CAN ASSIST

Can Assist offers help to anyone living in NSW, access to cancer treatment and care. The organisation provides accommodation, financial assistance and practical support to people from rural and regional areas. Visit: canassist.com.au or call 1300 226 277 IPTAAS IS THE ISOLATED PATIENTS TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION ASSISTANCE SCHEME

A NSW Government program offering financial assistance towards travel and accommodation costs when a patient needs to travel long distances for treatment that is not available locally. Hotline: 1800 IPTAAS (1800 478 227)

THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

diagnosed family member, it is suggested that the testing start earlier. And as most work in the rural sector is outdoors, it’s no surprise that the incidence of skin cancer or melanoma is quite high in the bush. Melanoma is one of the 10 most common cancers in both men and women in Australia and we have the unhappy distinction of recording some of the highest numbers of melanoma in the world. But melanoma is also one of the most easily treated cancers. Like all the other cancers, early detection and treatment is vital and substantially increases survival rates. Florian says that many local community groups such as Lions Clubs assist in promoting the services and encourage people to be tested. But progress can be uneven depending on where you live. “While there are a lot of good things happening, we can do better,” he says. “The fact is that if you’re diagnosed with cancer in a rural or remote area your chances of survival are less than those in urban areas. In Dubbo, your chances of survival are three per cent less while in Bourke, you’d be 13 per cent less likely to survive.” This is largely due to late diagnosis of the disease. The earlier the detection, the greater the survival rate. Florian agrees that many people put off seeing a doctor about possible symptoms purely because they are too busy with farm work or they can’t spare the time to drive long distances to access medical services. He also points out that continuing advances in cancer treatment means that survival rates are improving constantly. And that’s where early detection is essential. “If you get cancer it doesn’t mean that you are going to die. More than 67 per cent of diagnosed patients get cured if you find out about it early enough,” he stresses. “We are closing the gap.

Solbari detects & prevents skin cancer Prevention and detection are key to limiting the risk of skin cancer and other skin issues, and both are all the more important in a rural setting. Solbari specialises in both the prevention of skin cancer through sun protective UPF50+ clothing and skincare, as well as detection through a mobile skin check app. The company's unique UPF50+ clothing and skincare range help to protect skin from the sun's harsh UVA & UVB rays. Most people are shocked to learn that a standard shirt or hat may have a UPF rating as low as 5 – the equivalent to wearing SPF5+ sunscreen. With Solbari’s Skin Check app (powered by SkinVision), farmers and rural workers can now stay on top of their skin health and detect skin cancer risks early. Users are granted 12-month unlimited access to check moles and suspicious skin spots. By simply taking a photo on their smartphone or device, users can receive a low to urgent risk recommendation on skin lesions with 95 per cent accuracy. The lesions are automatically checked by qualified dermatologists through the app, providing advice on what to do next. Solbari is dedicated to saving farmers lives, and it is proud to announce that since the product's inception, the app has identified more than 10,000 skin cancer cases in Australia and New Zealand. For more information, please visit www.solbari.com

Even in my time, I remember 20 year-olds dying of melanoma. Now most are being cured.” Currently there’s great deal of work being done to train up more nurses in oncology support so that chemotherapy can be delivered closer to home in rural and regional areas. Previous studies have shown that farming families tended to decline radiation therapy for early breast cancer treatment because it required six weeks away from home. But with continuing higher levels of local services and support, this barrier to receiving care is being alleviated. l

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THE FARMER

The Muster l TRADE

Upturning the power of perishables An ACCC inquiry has recognised the power imbalance between farmers and major processors and retailers, recommending new laws to address unfair contracts and other harmful trading practices. Words SANDRA GODWIN

he three-month inquiry focused on supply chains for perishable agricultural goods, such as meat, eggs, seafood, dairy and horticultural products. In a statement issued after the inquiry report’s release in December 2020, ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh says the dominance of markets for agricultural goods by few processors or wholesalers, and even fewer major retailers, made farmers especially vulnerable. “In addition, the more perishable a product is, the weaker the farmer’s bargaining power often is,” he says.

THE FARMER

That vulnerability was highlighted during the submissions process. Only 35 of the more than 80 written and oral submissions have been made public – the rest are being kept confidential to protect farmers and suppliers from being punished for speaking out. The inquiry heard numerous examples of unfair practices, including one-sided contracts, commercial retribution, inequitable allocation of risk, arbitrary price cuts and a lack of price transparency. Some of the most serious claims were from the chicken

MAR - APR 2021

meat and horticulture sectors and the ACCC will continue to investigate potential unfair contracts and reported breaches of the Horticulture Code. The ACCC’s dedicated agriculture unit also will do more to explain how farmers and suppliers can use the new small business collective bargaining process. NSW Farmers’ President James Jackson welcomes the inquiry findings but says they address the “symptoms of the disease, not the disease itself”. James says the systemic failure of competition in fresh food supply chains is hindering the investment needed to

ensure farm gate production reaches its $100 billion target by 2030. “What’s needed is for our federal politicians to have the will to improve competition laws and make the supply chain accountable to the farm gate,” he says. “There needs to be consequences, substantial fines that hurt, for making a mess of it. There are jail terms for breaking workplace health and safety laws, but competition laws are seen as a business cost. They’re not seen as a problem or a serious crime. And they are because they are causing grief right

through the economy. Really, it’s no different to wage theft.” In its submission to the inquiry, NSW Farmers proposed consumer law be rewritten to include the option of forced divestiture to limit the market share held by a single business. “This would break up some of those vertically integrated and horizontally integrated organisations that essentially cost shift and put competitors out of business,” James says. It’s not only the major retailers, such as Coles and Woolworths, that are in NSW Farmers’ sights. Consolidation in the meat processing sector has left farmers at the mercy of a handful of companies. A decade ago there were nine chicken meat processing plants run by six different operators in NSW. There are now four plants – near Sydney, Newcastle, Tamworth and Griffith – run by just two operators, Baiada Poultry and Cordina Farms. The number of chicken meat growers also has also dropped, from 265 in 2014 to about 190 in 2020, many of them squeezed out by the withdrawal of processors from some regions. The July-August edition of The Farmer featured the Partridge and Courtney families whose contracts were cut after Inghams decided it was too expensive to freight birds from the Northern Rivers to its Brisbane plant. A similar concentration of processors in some regions has occurred in the dairy, beef and sheep meat sectors, while the dominance of large vertically-integrated operators that both produce and process pork meat make negotiation difficult for smaller producers. The perishability of seafood and fruit and vegetables puts those producers at a significant disadvantage in negotiations with supermarkets.

National Farmers’ Federation Chief Executive Officer Tony Mahar called for the Federal Government to urgently implement all recommendations from the ACCC inquiry. “What the ACCC have found is not surprising but deeply concerning,” he says. “I have heard countless examples from our horticulture growers of buyers using short notice cancellations to exploit growers. Once the farmer

has picked and packed the produce, they get a phone call from the supplier stating they are cancelling the order; in the same breath they make a ‘new’ order for the same produce at 30 to 40 per cent discount. This is outrageous.” While collective bargaining, through marketing companies, has helped NSW oyster farmers secure higher prices in the past three to five years, it’s not the answer for all sectors.

REPORTED EXAMPLES OF HARMFUL INDUSTRY PRACTICES CONDUCT

EXAMPLES REPORTED

Contract terms that inefficiently allocate risk

Contracts allowing chicken meat processors to change producers’ batch densities and rates, affecting their income. Contracts resulting in wine grape producers not receiving full payment for up to nine months after grapes were supplied.

Harmful use of bargaining power

Changing supply volumes for perishable products at very short notice after volumes were agreed. In some regions chicken meat processors used their monopsony position to reduce growers’ prices mid-contract.

Lack of transparency in relation to price and non-price factors

Some horticulture producers have no visibility over what supermarkets pay for their produce. This occurs where agents or wholesalers accept produce on consignment from growers, which they sell on their behalf. As the supermarkets count for a large proportion of total purchases in the market, this may distort price signals. Some beef and sheep producers have little transparency over the carcase grading process, which can generate a lack of trust in the prices received.

Producers making growing and investment decisions with no certainty

Some horticulture producers have no forward price or contract certainty. Contracts or supply agreements are usually negotiated after planting, meaning they regularly grow crops without a guaranteed buyer or price.

Commercial retribution

Some suppliers who seek a cost increase from a supermarket or refuse to reduce private label costs have other products de-listed. A producer who raises concerns with a processor has their contract terminated or volumes reduced.

Supermarkets requiring cost offsets

Supermarkets sometimes require suppliers who negotiate a cost increase to invest in an unrelated cost offset.

Supermarkets requiring suppliers to disclose confidential information

Supermarkets requiring suppliers to disclose confidential financial information or intellectual property during cost increase negotiations.

Source: Perishable Agricultural Goods Inquiry Final Report, ACCC

NSW Farmers’ poultry meat manager Peta Easey says collective bargaining has been tried in other sectors but failed where farmers have only one buyer to deal with. “It hasn’t worked in poultry meat,” she says. “Because there’s only a few processors, they know exactly what the others are doing. We welcome the ACCC’s commitment to further investigate the chicken meat industry. What’s needed is a mandatory code.” THE FOUR ACCC RECOMMENDATIONS

• Strengthen the businessto-business unfair contract terms framework in the ways agreed by the Legislative and Governance Forum on Consumer Affairs • Introduce an economy-wide prohibition on unfair trading practices into Australian Consumer Law • Strengthen the Food and Grocery Code, making it mandatory for retailers and wholesalers, and introducing significant penalties for contraventions • Explore measures by governments and industries to increase price transparency and increase competition in perishable agricultural goods industries. WHAT DO THESE TERMS MEAN?

Monopsony: a single buyer (e.g. supermarket or processor) substantially controls the market as the major purchaser from many would-be sellers (e.g. farmers) Monopoly: a market with a single seller (e.g. supermarket) but many buyers (e.g. consumers) Oligopoly: a market or industry dominated by two or more large companies (e.g. supermarkets or processors) Divesture/divestiture: the compulsory transfer of title or disposal of interests upon government order. MAR - APR 2021

THE FARMER

The Muster l EXP ORT

China’s fine line on our wine As if drought, smoke taint and a global pandemic wasn’t enough for NSW winegrowers, in November 2020, China slapped anti-dumping tariffs up to 212 per cent on Australian bottled wine imports. What’s the fall-out and how are wine producers paving the way forward? Words JOCELYN PRIDE

ach year NSW produces more than 492 million bottles of wine and the value of the state’s wine exports is usually around $500 million. This year will be different. “Naturally the closing of the doors to a very lucrative market for Australia is not good. It has major ramifications,” NSW Farmers member, Darren De Bortoli says. “We’ve been hit with what I call The China Syndrome.” However, as General Manager of De Bortoli Wines, one of Australia’s largest privately owned wineries, he’s also a realist. “As a family company, we’ve been through The Great Depression, World Wars, recessions, and natural disasters. There’s no doubt this is up there, but the key is to not panic.” De Bortoli is based at Bilbul near Griffith in the Riverina wine area, and remains the engine room for the company that also has holdings in other states. “This is where my grandfather Vittorio started making wine in a shack in 1928.” Asked what he would say to him now, Darren replies: “Been there, done that. Basically, just get on with it.” The old adage to not have all the eggs in one basket certainly

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MAR - APR 2021

holds true, however the flow on effect of the tariffs across the industry will lead to more competition in existing markets. “It’s going to manifest itself in terms of price points and the bottom line is that we have to find a home for our wines,” Darren says. “Our exports are spread across the world and we’re strong in Europe, Scandinavia and the United Kingdom.” BUY AUSTRALIAN WINE

And what about the shape of the domestic market? A nationwide campaign through Australian Grape and Wine Incorporated – who work in partnership with the Australian Government – is encouraging people to ‘choose Australian wine’. In a statement, Chief Executive Tony Battaglene said, “We currently import around 125 million bottles of wine each year from overseas. If Australian wine lovers decide to buy Australian wine instead, it will go a long way to cushioning the blows grape and wine businesses have been dealt in 2020.” Justin Jarret who started See Saw Wines, a small sustainable, organic winery in the Orange region in 2005, thinks this is a brilliant initiative.

“The whole movement of buying local produce hasn’t gathered as much momentum in the wine industry as it has in other areas, so this campaign has really made a difference,” Justin says. “I think one of the silver linings of COVID-19 is that people have really started to think and care about where everything they consume comes from.” Although Justin doesn’t export wine to China, the tariffs will impact his business. “The Orange region is slightly protected because the Chinese market likes bigger, older, stronger style of red than we produce here. They also don’t have a taste for white wine, which makes up 52 per cent of our wines.” He predicts there will not only be an increase in competition, but the tariffs may also affect prices of Australian wine. “It may not be a price drop,” says Justin. “However, with the impact of the smoke taint on the vines during the 2020 bushfires, we were due for a price rise, and that’s unlikely to happen.” With a family philosophy to work with independent, preferably family-owned companies, the majority of See Saw wine is sold on the

A WINEMAKING FAMILY

(Above) Darren De Bortoli says we've been hit with what he calls “The China Syndrome”; (Right to left) De Bortoli Winery; The De Bortoli family enjoying the sunshine in their vineyard's gardens.

MAR - APR 2021

THE FARMER

The Muster domestic market, especially in NSW. Export-wise, Justin is expanding his contacts across the USA where there’s a growing demand for small batch, organic wines. He’s also recently received approval to build a cellar door at the winery. “Word of mouth is a powerful tool. Regional tourism numbers are currently through the roof, and even if we drop by 40 per cent postCOVID, they’re still going to be better than they were pre-COVID. Justin is treating the tariffs as he does drought. “You’ve got to make adjustments to cope. You’ve got to take the good when it comes, knowing the bad will come at some stage.” UNITED WE STAND

Further north in the Hunter Valley region, Bruce Tyrrell AM, Managing Director of Tyrrell’s Wines, also believes

connecting directly with consumers is paramount, and in particular for smaller wineries. “When I took over in 1974, 95 per cent of all our sales were through the cellar door,” Bruce reflects. “We can now use a range of ways including social media, advertising and personal contacts to speak to our customers. Online sales are booming, so there are opportunities there for wine producers to tap into new markets.” As a member of Australia’s First Families of Wine group, Tyrrell’s Wines was founded in 1858 by Bruce’s great grandfather, Edward Tyrrell. Drawing on words of wisdom passed down the generations, he’s keeping a levelheaded approach. “When things are out of our control, we can only continue to work on the things within our control. I’m sure

my great grandfather would advise me to put my head down, keep going and grow from the experience.” Before the tariffs, Tyrrell’s exported 8 per cent of total sales to China. “We now have to work harder in existing markets and look for as many new openings as we can,” Bruce says. Recently, the company started exporting to Uzbekistan and is also concentrating on Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. He’s also receiving strong support from his distributors in Europe and the United Kingdom. “The world is watching what’s happening with this dispute, and I think on a broader scale, there’s been an international hardening of opinion against China.” Bruce says that he is confident the Australian Government is standing firm while doing everything BY PHIL SOMERVILLE

WINEMAKERS COME TO GETHER

(Above): Tyrrell’s Wines vineyards and winery in the Hunter Valley; See Saw Wines’ Founder, Justin Jarret, says that the Choose Australian Wine campaign has really made a difference to Aussie winemakers.

THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

possible to re-open the trade door. “As a country we need to continue to find ways to trade with China, and everyone in the wine industry needs to stick together and support each other.” Sadly, it’s the Chinese consumers who are probably most affected by the tariffs. They’re big travellers and many have acquired a love for Australia and our wine. When the world starts to open up post COVID, will the Chinese population be prepared to sit back and watch? Or will they start asking questions as to why they are unable to spend their money on the things they want? “China is a country with a communist government and a capitalist population,” says Bruce. In other words, watch this space.

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THE BIG ISSUE CO-OPS

PRIME LAMB PRODUCER

Tooraweenah Prime Lamb Marketing Co-op Member Matt Howard (pictured here in his ATV) says that the co-op is always looking at ways to increase its members’ returns. Photo: Rachel Lenehan.

THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

From little things, big things grow

Farming co-ops have operated for around 140 years, but a new wave of talent and a fresh way of looking at how they are run has led to many more being established that will continue to grow.

–

Words SANDRA GODWIN

MAR - APR 2021

THE FARMER

THE BIG ISSUE CO-OPS

he United Nations declared 2012 the International Year of Co-operatives and Australia marked it as the ‘Year of the Farmer’. That prompted a resurgence of interest and the formation of dozens of new agricultural co-ops. Farming co-operatives have played an important role in the Australian economy since the 1880s. Dairy farmers formed the first co-ops in NSW and Victoria to bypass middlemen, get better prices and raise capital to build factories for processing milk products. Since those days, co-ops have helped farmers in numerous sectors – from fruit to fishing, meat, grain and fibre – to process and market their products, while returning profits to members. Richard O’Leary has been involved with co-ops since the 1960s when he secured his first job as an accountant with the Macleay Regional Co-operative. He was Chief Executive Officer for 10 years and served as chair until it was wound up in 2020. Richard is also Chair of the Macleay Valley Branch of NSW Farmers, The Co-op Federation, and has helped create, manage and support the governance of numerous co-ops. CO-OPS THROUGH TIME

A member of the organising committee for the International Year of Co-operatives, Richard says 2012 – which was also Australian Year of the Farmer – was a pivotal year for co-ops, whose popularity had waxed and waned over time.

THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

THE MORE THE MERRIER

Tooraweenah Prime Lamb Marketing Co-op Member Matt Howard rounding up sheep at the family property ‘Oakleigh’. See page 40 for his story.

University of Sydney research shows the number of agricultural co-ops in NSW peaked in the early 1920s and 1950s, before steadily declining over the next 60 years through mergers and demutualisation. They include Bega Cheese, a co-op for 110 years, which deregistered in 2009 and listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in 2011. At the time co-ops were subject to state-based legislation limiting their activities and requiring them to be registered in every state in which they operated; some also found it difficult to raise funds for capital expenditure. After decades of discussion and lobbying, the NSW Government led the rollout of new national laws in 2012, passing the Co-operatives (Adoption of National Law) Act, followed by the other states and territories. Queensland was last to adopt the reforms which took effect in December 2020. Richard says the new laws provided the opportunity to really reinvigorate co-operatives and allowed the establishment of a peak body, the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals. The federal government also funded the Farming Together pilot program, co-ordinated by Southern Cross University. Championed by then-Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce, the program provided support to more than 130 co-ops and encouraged the formation of 70 new ones between 2016 and 2018. At least another 10 new agricultural co-ops have been formed since the program ended. As one of the consultants to the Farming Together program, Richard says it tapped into a new paradigm for both producers and consumers amid concerns about sustainable food production and fair payments to farmers. “There’s a growing awareness of the importance of buying and selling locally and being part of a community,” he says. “Co-operatives are not social enterprises, but they do have in their DNA a responsibility to their members and the community where their members are.” Co-ops supported by Farming Together include Quality Timber Traders, First Choice Organics, Burringbar Valley Producers, Granite Borders Landcare, Australian Tea Growers, Bega Beef, Waratah Alpaca Fibre, Berry Rural, Braidwood Garlic Growers and Greenspace Turf. ADAPTING TO A NEW ERA

Even before the words disrupt and pivot became part of our everyday vocabulary, many co-ops adapted and transformed their operations in response to changes in the economic environment. The Cobargo Co-operative Society which began as a butter factory in 1900, now sells rural and gardening supplies, hardware and fuel. Hastings Co-op also started as a dairy factory in 1916 and operates 22 different businesses in the region, selling groceries, hardware, rural supplies and car hire. Norco is held up as the poster child of successful dairy co-ops, marking its 125th year of operation in 2020 and paying members a record farm gate milk

What exactly is a co-operative? As well as being a democratic organisation – owned and controlled by members who each have equal voting rights – co-ops are run according to globally-agreed and locallylegislated principles. They are traditionally based on values of self-help, self-responsibility, equality and solidarity. The focus is on delivering long-term benefits to members and their communities, not shortterm profits for distant or passive shareholders. Members of a co-operative can benefit from economies of scale through the combined purchasing, distribution or marketing power or influence of the group. They share in the group’s investment and operational risks and losses, as well as its benefits.

Interested in forming a co-operative? price, despite the triple-whammy of drought, bushfires and COVID-19. Brett Kelly, who was Chief Executive Officer of Norco from 2008 to 2017 and CEO of blueberry producers Oz Group from 2018 to 2020, says the greatest strength of a co-op is the story behind the brand. “Norco and Oz Group are both 100 per cent Australian farmer-owned co-operatives and that gives you an amazing edge, a point of difference with the consumer,” he says. “The consumer will support a farmer owned co-op, if they know exactly – especially if you have a higher price – where that extra margin is going and that there’s no external shareholders.” But Brett says that’s not enough to ensure success, pointing to spectacular failures like former dairy giant Murray Goulburn which collapsed in 2018. “They were running a farmer-owned co-operative as if it was BHP,” he says. “You can’t take the risk of selling a strategy, spending all your shareholders’ money upfront on infrastructure, and then hoping the profitability will come. The outcome of that, unfortunately, was that the farmer again paid the price for it.” Far from deterring farmer groups from starting a new co-op, Brett says the Murray Goulburn experience should serve as a huge lesson. “It’s not the first time it’s happened, and it happens in all types of business structures,” he says. “It’s about learning from that and understanding it. You’ve got to have the right strategies in place, understand

REACHING FAR AND WIDE

Woolgoolga berry grower and Oz Group Co-op Chair Stephen Thandi. The Co-op offers members agronomic advice, grower audits and certification; grading and packing fruit, and marketing and distribution across Australia and Asia.

The Co-operative Federation website (fed.coop) has numerous resources and members who can support groups to prepare and hold formation meetings. The Farming Together program has concluded, but its website (farmingtogether. com.au) hosts a range of free resources, including fact sheets and manuals.

the market, not get distracted and stay focused on profitability to keep the co-op strong and financially sound, so you can grow it.” Brett says some farmer co-ops are in a stronger position than they’ve ever been and ready to capitalise on the current pandemic-induced upheaval. Consumers are already concerned about their health, having access to quality fresh food and pantry staples, and supporting Australian farmers. “This is a big opportunity,” he says. “It opens a huge door for Australian farmer-owned co-operatives to get out and sell their products. Not just here, but around the world. I think we’re going to see a lot of real success stories over the next five to 10 years.” Richard O’Leary is similarly optimistic about the future of co-ops. “We’ll see a lot of little co-operatives starting,” he says. “But little co-operatives – managed well with good governance and passionate members – can grow into bigger co-operatives and can last a century or more.” MAR - APR 2021

THE FARMER

THE BIG ISSUE CO-OPS

OZ GROUP TIMELINE

2001 Members of

the Coffs Coast Sikh community form a partnership called Oz Berries, beginning with four family growers

2006 Oz Berries

buys its first purposebuilt packing facility in Woolgoolga, employing over 100 staff during peak season

BUNDLING BERRIES

By 2017–2018, Oz Group was the biggest blueberry supplier in Australia, producing 37 million punnets of blueberries, 1.1 million punnets of raspberries, and 202,000 punnets of blackberries.

2013 Oz Group

Co-op forms, allowing growers to concentrate on farming and harvesting, and allowing professionals to take over production, accounts, marketing and distribution

2015 Oz Group

partners with Driscoll’s, and they co-locate in a new packhouse at Coffs Harbour

2016 Raspberries and blackberries are added to the co-op

2019 Exports

begin to Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and India

2020 Oz Group

continues to grow, producing Australia’s first frozen blueberries and employing more than 30 permanent staff & 250 seasonal workers

THE FARMER

OZ GROUP CO-OP, COFFS HARBOUR CEO: ADAM BIANCHI

The Oz Group Co-op was founded in 2013 and consists of around 140 conventional and organic growers of blueberries, raspberries and blackberries on the mid-north coast of NSW, and one organic grower in Queensland. The co-op offers members agronomic advice, grower audits and certification; grading and packing fruit; marketing and distribution of berries to supermarkets across Australia and exports to Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and India, as well as operating a rural supplies store at Woolgoolga. What started as a partnership of four blueberry growers attempting to navigate an unstable market in 2001 has evolved into a 140-member co-operative. By 2017-18, Oz Group Co-op was the biggest blueberry supplier in Australia, producing 37 million punnets of blueberries, 1.1 million punnets of raspberries, and 202,000 punnets of blackberries. With the assistance of a $1.15 million Federal Government grant, Oz Group upgraded its packing line and began exporting fruit to Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and India in 2019. In collaboration with marketing and distribution partners, Driscoll’s, there are hopes exports can be expanded into Japan and China.

MAR - APR 2021

Chair Stephen Thandi, who grows blueberries near Woolgoolga, says Oz Group developed in response to a growing interest in berry fruit from former banana growers. The major benefits for members are access to a centralised packing and marketing facility that allows them to focus on growing top quality fruit. “Our co-operative uses a pooling system for the fruit picked for that week,” Stephen says “You can be a small grower or a big grower, but the price is still going to be the same. Our members like that. Our growers are paid every four weeks and all our profits at the end of the financial year go back to growers as a rebate.” The directors, who know most of the growers personally, are available for around the clock support. Oz Group also employs a team of agronomists to provide advice to growers and hunt for the best new varieties. Stephen says Oz Group is value adding for members in other ways, researching potential new products such as the first Australian-grown frozen blueberries they began supplying to Coles in November. Other products in the pipeline include frozen blackberries and raspberries, blueberry gin and powdered berries. “That will take 100 per cent of the berries we don’t put in punnets to go to the market,” Stephen says.

MILKING IT IN 2020

Left then clockwise: Norco Chair and Kempsey dairy farmer Mike Jeffery. Norco had its 125th birthday in 2020, when member farms produced 214 million litres of milk and the average milk price rose to 70.63 cents per litre; Norco milk for sale in Shanghai.

NORCO TIMELINE

1895 The North

Coast Fresh Food and Cold Storage Cooperative Company Ltd begins operations at Byron Bay on June 5

1898 A depot

opens beside the Richmond River at Casino allowing easier navigation for ships

1900 The first branch factory opens at Lismore NORCO CO-OP, LISMORE CEO: MICHAEL HAMPSON

Founded in 1895, Norco now has 306 members on 203 farms across Northern NSW and Southeast Queensland. The co-operative facilitates milk processing and the production of white milk, flavoured milk, ice cream, butter, cheese and cream for sale in retail stores across NSW and Queensland. It also exports fresh milk to China and ice cream to Japan, the United States and China, handles grain trading and the manufacture and sale of stock feed. It has 28 rural supplies stores. In 1895, Norco began as the North Coast Fresh Food and Cold Storage Co-operative Company at Byron Bay. By the 1930s it had 20 butter factories and in 1950 started producing ice cream and bottled milk. The co-operative marked its 125th year of operation in 2020, when member farms produced 214 million litres of milk and the average farm gate milk price rose to 70.63 cents per litre. Chair Michael Jeffery, who milks 350 cows near Kempsey and was elected in July, has been a member since the mid-1990s. He says the major benefit for members is that a co-op puts its members’ interests first. In the case of Norco, he says its aim is to “achieve sustainable pricing or value from the marketplace that provides the opportunity for members to grow and to have sustainable businesses”.

“Norco has been instrumental in leading pricing in the marketplace,” he says. “There’s also quite a lot of work that’s been done around providing technical assistance through our field staff to Norco members. The biggest change that I’ve noticed has been recognition by consumers of the value proposition that Norco has for them – that is being 100 per cent farmer-owned – particularly in the last three or four years.” Michael says the shift began with the $1 per litre supermarket milk wars that started in 2011 and gained momentum after the collapse of Murray Goulburn in 2016 highlighted the plight of dairy farmers being forced to pay clawbacks and accept prices below the cost of production. Deregulation of the dairy industry in 2000 had prompted some talk about converting Norco to a corporate structure, but Michael says members are no longer interested in floating or selling up. “They see significant value in being a supplier to the co-operative where 100 per cent of the returns either come back to the farmers or are reinvested in the business for the benefit of the farmers,” he says. Indeed, Norco has a waiting list of dairy farmers wanting to join: 32 came on board during 2019-20, increasing the supplier base to 203 farms, despite the loss of members to retirement and exits forced by the prolonged drought. “It’s comforting to know there’s quite a lot of

1925: The Company's name changes to Norco Co-operative Ltd

1986 Sales reach

more than $100 million

1989 Norco buys

the Logan and Albert Dairying Co-operative at Beaudesert

2010 Members

supply 143 million litres of milk and sales exceed $351 million

2019 Members

supply 214 million litres of milk and total revenue reaches $683 million

2020 Norco

celebrates 125 years in business, making it one of the oldest dairy co-operatives in Australia

MAR - APR 2021

THE FARMER

THE BIG ISSUE CO-OPS

PRIME MARKETING

Tooraweenah Prime Lamb Marketing Co-op Members Matt Howard (left) and Paul Lambell. Matt’s father in-law, Ian Cruickshank was one of the co-op’s founding members. Photos: Rachael Lenehan.

TOORAWEENAH TIMELINE farmers that do want to come to Norco,” Michael says. “They’re in regular contact with us and as we have the demand for increased volume, we’re able to take some of those farms on. We are the fastest growing brand in the dairy space, not just within our own region, but also nationally.” TOORAWEENAH PRIME LAMB MARKETING CO-OP BUSINESS MANAGER: JULIE SAWLEY

The Tooraweenah Prime Lamb Marketing Co-op, which was founded in 1996, notched up an early win when it succeeded in convincing processors to stop paying a lower over-the-hooks price for its firstcross lambs. At the time, they were widely regarded as inferior to second-cross lambs and prices were discounted by as much as 20c/kg. Founding member Simon Ryan, who has been Chair since 2010, says NSW Department of Primary Industries trials found there was no discernible difference in meat quality. “That gave us the ammunition to argue our firstcross lambs were worth as much as the other lambs,” he says. “We can’t claim credit for the industry-wide change in attitude, but we solved that issue using available information to look after our members.” Nonetheless, measurement continues to be key to the co-op’s success. From the beginning members have

THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

weighed and fat-scored their lambs, while adjusting operations to improve meat quality by reducing stress to the animals during handling. Simon says weighing every lamb actually makes money for producers who can retain the lighter lambs, allow them to gain weight and maximise their future value. “By knowing the weight and fat score of every individual lamb, decisions can be made as to minimum – not average – weight for sale,” he says. “Also dressing percentages are calculated to provide an accurate valuation prior to the lambs leaving the paddock. There are advantages to processors as well in that they can request tight specifications for specific orders. We have found our members are very good at hitting specs when they are reasonably rewarded.” Simon, who produced prime lambs at Bugaldie for 35 years and now runs cattle near Blayney, says the primary attraction of the co-op is that it always promotes members’ interests. “We’re always looking for ways to improve producer returns,” he says. “By concentrating on value-based marketing, we’ve been able to better control the prices received, obtain a separate price for skins and deliver the best eating quality lambs. As producers it is important to remember that our real customers are the people who eat lamb in Australia and overseas.” l

1996 Tooraweenah Prime Lamb Marketing Co-op is founded with 32 members

1998 The co-op

secures a 12-month supply contract

2001 The co-op has 44 members and opens an office at Gilgandra

2014 Membership

peaks at 92 in the co-op

2018 The co-op

employs a new field officer who is a registered livestock agent. Starts buying and selling sheep and cattle via AuctionsPlus, and selling cattle over-thehooks to processors

2021 There are 79

producers across Central and Northern NSW

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Setting up a new business As anyone who has done it before will attest, creating a successful business is no walk in the park, and only the tough survive. So if you’re going to do it, make sure you get it right from the start.

–

Words TONY BLACKIE

THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

t was Bradfield, the architect of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, who suggested that the answer to our water problems was to reverse the flow of some of our rivers. While turning back the tide may be the stuff of miracles, it appears that in another way a flow from rural areas is being reversed, but this time its people, not water. Over the past few years a demographic shift has been underway in Australia as predominantly young people trade in the city for rural town life. Unable to make headway in the urban property market many have moved to country towns where property prices are much more affordable.

The fall out of COVID-19 has meant that many people are now working from home and while the NBN leaves much to be desired for city users, let alone rural subscribers, it does provide a channel for workers to undertake many jobs remotely and online. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) research on population trends and Census data backup independent research such as a report from the Regional Australia Institute (RAI), entitled The Big Movers. According to RAI CEO, Liz Ritchie, how Australians work has been changing and this has allowed for significant population growth in regions. Sydney and Melbourne have lost more people to regions than they’ve gained over the past >

BUSINESS STARTING UP

decade in a trend that was established well before COVID-19. Ritchie pointed out that the impact of the pandemic had forced a change to how we work with location no longer a barrier. Between 2011 and 2016, more than 1.2 million people either relocated to regional Australia or moved around regional Australia from one location to another. BUSINESS BOOM

With the population growth in country towns there has also been an increase in new businesses opening to serve the new residents. Everything from coffee shops to jewellers, franchise food stores and many others. Many farmers have seen the opportunity to set up off-farm income by establishing online or consulting style businesses. The latest ABS data shows that there are approximately 2.37 million actively trading businesses in Australia, with more than half being operated by a sole proprietor. Registered company structures with multiple owners make up the second largest group. The stats also show that there has been consistent growth in the number of businesses established in rural areas. But setting up a new business needs to be thought through carefully – while there can be major benefits, there are obligations and responsibilities which must be met. GETTING IT RIGHT FROM THE GET-GO

According to University of Technology Sydney research into small to medium businesses, one in three new enterprises in Australia fail in their first year of operation, two out of four by the end of the second year, and three out of four by the fifth year. The UTS research states that this very high attrition rate is due to a lack of planning and ground work by the business owner. There are implications for not getting this initial phase right. First you need to register an Australian Business Number (ABN), which will allow you to register for the Goods and Services Tax (GST) credits and other business benefits. In addition, an ABN is required if you are registering a web domain name and setting up a commercial website. Regardless of the type of business you are starting, you will need a business name which also requires registration. The business name for sole traders or partnerships is the same as your and/or your partner’s first and last names. You'll need an ABN or ABN application number to register in order to register for company, sole trader or partnership name. If your business has an gross income of more than $75,000 a year, then you will need to register the business for Goods and Services Tax (GST). Whether you’ve registered your business enterprise as a company, sole tradership, trust or partnership structure, you'll need to apply for a business Tax File

WORKING ON A DREAM

(Top left, then clockwise) Katie Murray – who opened the Stone’s Throw Cafe in 2020 in Walgett – now has a thriving business on her hands; Meticulous planning is important; Cash flow is one the most crucial elements of keeping a business alive.

Number. This application process is available for free through the ATO. Consult business experts such as accountants, lawyers, your local bank manager or someone you know who runs a successful business, as at this stage you need to understand things such as public liability insurance, operating capital and proper reporting to the ATO. In most cases small businesses are based on big dreams, but the myriad of rules regulations and indeed obligations on the business owner can be daunting for someone about to embark on the entrepreneurial journey. But the end result can be very fulfilling and profitable if all the basics are covered. Statistics show that the main reason for business failures are financial mismanagement and a failure to keep proper records such as invoices and sales data required for taxation purposes. Much of that can be sheeted home to a lack of business acumen and indeed, basic groundwork in the business set-up process on the part of the business owner. l

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THE FARMER

BUSINESS STARTING UP

10 steps to creating a successful business

IDENTIFY THE REASONS FOR GOING INTO BUSINESS

Are you the right person to run a business? Do you have the necessary skills? Most businesses that fail are established in the first place because the owner has a personal interest. It’s more like a hobby. They enjoy working in the area but haven’t really thought how they are going to make money from the business. There has to be a profit motive. Running a business requires income – there are many costs involved, and a business owner has to make sure they can cover them.

UNDERSTAND THE INDUSTRY THAT YOU ARE ENTERING

Ask questions of people who are already operating in your chosen industry such as how the sector operates and what, if any, are the pitfalls. What are the unique circumstances attached to that business sector? For example, you wouldn’t establish a scuba diving business hundreds of kilometres from the coast.

CREATE A SOLID BUSINESS PLAN

University of Technology Sydney research says that estimates are that only 3 to 5 per cent of Australian small businesses starting from scratch prepare a business plan. That means most people have little idea as to whether their business is viable. Within that plan, the business owner has to be realistic in assumptions and projections. For example, if your estimated revenue of $10 million in the first three years turns out to be less than $1 million in reality, there’s an obvious problem.

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MAR - APR 2021

BUILD A MARKETING PLAN LINKED TO PROJECTED REVENUE

A start-up company needs to define its target market and then work out how to reach it. Whether to use advertising, print, radio, TV and word of mouth. A recent example of a small legal firm that was spending up to $80,000 a year on radio advertisements but they had no way of tracking whether the ads were attracting customers. Eventually they worked out that a majority of clients came through word of mouth, so they stopped the advertisements and saved the money.

PLAN FINANCES – SET A BUDGET AND A CASH FLOW PROJECTION

Working out what your weekly, monthly and annual costs will be is vital. Most small businesses operate on cash flow – money in, money out. But setting the cash flow budget and sticking to it will mean that you will always have enough to pay your bills when they fall due.

DETERMINE THE BUSINESS STRUCTURE AND WORK OUT OBLIGATIONS

You have to determine the legal structure of the business. Is it a registered Proprietary Limited Company, or will you be a sole trader, have a partnership or a trust? You have to register through the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) – the best approach is to talk to an accountant to find out which option is best for you and your particular business.

CONSIDER LOGISTICS AND OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Location, location, location. If you are setting up a bricks and mortar business, a shop front or office location, as opposed to an online business you operate at home, the site can make or break the business.

GET GOOD EXTERNAL ADVICE

This should probably be item number one. Getting an accountant, lawyer or business consultant to give you some advice on set up and maintenance of the business is vital. A good accountant can be a life-saver and ensure you meet you financial and taxation obligations.

DEVELOP THE BUSINESS STRUCTURE

If the business is going to grow, the owner needs to think about the future. What kind of staff do you need to support you? If you are growing and you bring in more staff, what skills do you need? Do you need internal accounting services for day to day book keeping?

ESTABLISH EXIT STRATEGIES

The best time to establish an exit strategy is when you start the business. Many SME owners wait till it’s too late to work out how they going to get a return on their investment and equity in their business. A wise accountant once said: “To maximise the return, you need to plan not only at the commencement but also at the divestment.”

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FARMING TRENDS ON THE RISE Making the most of what we grow: that's the biggest take-away gleaned from the eight most poignant ag trends that analysts are betting on in the decade ahead. Words IAN LLOYD NEUBAUER

THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

INNOVATION FARMING TRENDS

1. Greater sustainability reporting

TOWERS OF PRODUCE Vertical farming usually leads to a highly controlled environment in which more produce can be grown in less space. It’s ideal for soilless farming techniques such as hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics.

Australian agricultural exports have captured wave after wave of lucrative markets overseas on the back of our ‘clean-green’ image. But there is a growing demand in many of the markets we feed for Australia to corroborate this narrative with sustainability reporting at the ‘granular’ level. A recent declaration by Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, to become a zero-emissions company by 2040, is a textbook example. “We want to play an important role in transforming the world’s supply chains to be regenerative,” said CEO Doug McMillon. On the other side of the Atlantic, the European Green Deal proposes to make the continent climate neutral by 2050 with new laws for farming, biodiversity and recycling, “We are going to have to align with these new international benchmarks,” says Jennifer Medway, business development manager at AgriFutures Australia. “We know we are pretty efficient but we can’t share the real story because we don’t know how much carbon we are sequestering, or how much water and topsoil we’re using. We’re going to have to start measuring all of this stuff to meet global expectations.”

2. Vertical farming With vertical farming, crops are grown in gutters organised in tower formations inside climate-controlled greenhouses. In the town of Guyra in the Northern Tablelands of NSW, the Costa Group has taken vertical farming to the next level by marrying it with hydroponic technology. There, truss tomato seeds are planted in balsa rock sealed in insulation pads that are set on gutters that hang from the ceilings of futuristic glass houses imported from the Netherlands. The result? 70kg of tomatoes per square metre – around six times more than the best farmers in Australia can grow on soil. “Everything we do is about resource efficiency – how to grow more food using less land and less water,” says Tal Kanety, senior grower manager for vertical farming. “If you consider we will have to figure out how to feed 10 billion people by 2050, it’s one of the most important jobs in the world.” MAR - APR 2021

THE FARMER

INNOVATION FARMING TRENDS

3. Drones From checking on livestock during floods, to monitoring remote water points on large properties, to surveying farmland and quickly identifying problems with soil, weeds and crop yields at the push of a few buttons, drones are quickly shaping up as the ‘killer app’ for farmers in the 2020s. But operating a drone takes specialist training and knowledge of Civil Aviation Safety Authority regulations. “Whenever drone training courses are advertised in rural areas, they’re oversubscribed in a matter of days, says Ben Watts of Bralca, an agricultural consultant at Molong in the Central West. Choosing the right drone for the job is also a complex process. Anything below $600 is a toy, whereas top-class ag-drones cost $3,000 to $6,000. Aspiring drone owners can visit the NSW Farmers’ website for guidance on the types of drones available.

DATA_DRIVEN FARMING More farming apps are being designed every day.

SAFETY FIRST Operating a drone takes specialist training, or they can be a danger to both humans and livestock.

SEAWEED PROCESSING Jo Lane of Sea Health products and Warren Atkins processing GoldenKelp. Image: Honey Atkinson

4. Data tracking Farmers have been analysing data points to improve yields as long as there has been farming. But now, new technologies that massively increase the quantity and quality of the data collected is helping farmers fast-track productivity gains. “Before, if we wanted to speed up genetic gain of our animals, we stood at the drafting gate and picked out the heavy ones from the lighter ones,” says Jennifer Medway of AgriFutures, who also works at her family’s sheep station at Collector in the Southern Tablelands of NSW. “But now we’re working with consultants, doing DNA testing and using new apps and software to collect genetic data that shows us exactly which animals are the best genetic performers to provide better matches for our ram providers. And so the whole genetic game is ramped up,” she says.

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MAR - APR 2021

5. Seaweed farming Right now, there is only one commercial seaweed farm in Australia near Nowra on the South Coast of NSW. But with a bunch of new seaweed-based applications in the latter stages of product development, Australia, with its enormous coastline, is well-positioned to ride the crest of the wave in a global market that will be worth $12 billion by 2024, according to Allied Market Research. One of the most promising new applications is a methane-busting additive for animal feed. CSIRO studies have shown that feeding cattle a small amount of Asparagopsis taxiformis, a species of seaweed that grows like weeds along much of the coast of NSW slashes the methane production by cattle by more than 80 per cent. “This is a game-changer, not only for livestock production but also for our environment with the potential to create an entirely new industry that can support new jobs in the Australian agriculture sector,” says Federal Minister for Science Karen Andrews.

PADDOCK TO PLATE We need need more locally-focused food hubs such as Carriageworks Farmers Markets in Eveleigh, NSW (pictured here).

6. Agri-food clusters “COVID-19 has made us realise we need to shorten and streamline our agrifood supply chains, producing more fresh food locally and manufacturing more food, beverage and medicinal products,” says Merran White of the Future Food Systems. “You can do this via better logistics. You can also do it by aggregating agri-food production, processing, storage and R&D to distribution hubs where producers can share resources like waste-to-biofuel conversion and cold-storage to create economies of scale.” Such clusters have operated successfully, notably in Europe, for decades and are now emerging in Australia. Future Foods is working with the City of Liverpool to plan and develop an agri-food precinct adjoining the Western Sydney International Airport site, and with Coffs Harbour City Council to create a smaller-scale cluster there. Regional Development Australia ACT is also laying the groundwork to make Canberra and the surrounding region a sustainable, locally-focused food hub.

FAVOURED FLOWERS More Australians are choosing to purchase fresh native flowers.

7. Commercialising native flora Australian native plants have been part of indigenous diets and medicine for thousands of years. But now these native plants are also tapping the local and sustainable food movements. Wattleseed and Kakadu plums are big sellers domestically, while finger limes and lemon myrtle have become lucrative export crops. A 2019 feasibility study by the University of Sydney that studied 25 of the 6,500 known edible plants gazetted in Australia found panicum, also known as native millet, can be turned into a gluten-free flour that is more nutritious and easier to grow and harvest than wheat. And like all native plants, panicum helps preserve native fauna and can even survive bushfires. Meanwhile, demand for native Australian flowers has seen fields of waratah (above) and NSW Christmas bush pop up like mushrooms on the state’s mid-coast.

8. Alternative proteins

MORE HIGH PROTEIN CROPS The demand for alternative proteins has led to more opportunities for farmers to grow crops such as lupins and faba beans (pictured here) and lentils.

Concerns for health, the environment and animal welfare are setting the foundations for alternative-proteins markets. The CSIRO estimates the size of Australia’s domestic and export market for alternative proteins will have a combined value of $7.6 billion by 2030. This means more opportunities for farmers to supply high-protein crops like lupins, faba beans, lentils and chickpeas, as well as new protein sources like algae and insects. There are now more than 50 insect farmers across the country – more than double the number we had a year ago, according to the Insect Protein Association of Australia. Most produce insect-based animal feed that can be eaten by pigs, poultry and most household pets, though the Cricket Bakery in Sydney has already harnessed insect protein to make pasta and energy bars.

MAR - APR 2021

THE FARMER

READY FOR BREWING

Left to right: Hops from Ryefield Hops in Bemboka (Photo courtesy Ryefield Hops); A schooner of the cool stuff (Photo courtesy of Deepwater Brewing)

THE FARMER MAR - APR 2021

M TH O R

BUSH

BEER F

TRADE BEER

Craft brewing is the fastest growing cottage industry in regional areas. But how can farmers join the bandwagon?

–

Words IAN LLOYD NEUBAUER

ustralia’s craft beer industry really is going ballistic. According to the Independent Brewers Association, there are 533 craft breweries in the country with a new venue opening every seven days. Two-thirds of these businesses are based in regional areas and between them, they employ more than 2,000 people in the bush. Farmers are also getting a slice of the action by selling breweries the hops and barley that give their beer unique flavour profiles and cult following. Meet two brewers and two farmers in regional NSW about how they got their foothold in this increasingly competitive industry.

THE TEACHER

“I started brewing commercially in 2015 in the back of my shed and about two years later we moved to our current site,” says Sam Preston of Great Hops, a craft brewery, bar and cellar door in the City of Armidale. “At first we sold our beer online. Then we opened a cellar door and in February of last year, we installed a new bar. The timing couldn’t have been worse but since the lockdowns ended things have really picked up,” he says. “We’re a two-person operation though we just hired our first assistant. We don’t have all the money in the world so we have had to be really creative with our marketing. Before we launched our mulberry beer, we told the locals we’d pay them $5 per kilo

for mulberries – they grow like weeds around here. It was a marketing ploy to get people to know us but it worked really well. All the kids were running around collecting mulberries and we got lots of coverage on local TV – and 140kg of mulberries! We’ve also done a blueberry beer and a chilli beer. We bought the chillies from a farmer down the road. Sam’s advice to anyone considering opening a craft brewery? “If you want to make lots of money, you’re in the wrong game,” he says. “I'm a teacher by trade and I still have to work at a local school one day a week to make ends meet. “Craft brewing is about enjoyment. It's about creating something for your local community and engaging them as >

MAR - APR 2021

THE FARMER

much as you can,” he says. “Then they will support you because you will never be able to compete with the big fellas over price.” THE HOPPING PIONEER

“About five years, I got together with two friends in the Illawarra Region where we all live to plant an acre of hops plants on a vacant dairy farm not far from Bemboka, in the Bega Valley,” says Karen Taylor of Ryefield Hops, the first independent hops farm in the state specifically created to supply craft breweries. “We studied the climatic conditions required and Bemboka had the exact micro-climate we needed to grow great hops: long hot days in the summer and chilly nights. Another part of our research was contacting local brewers and asking them what kind of hops do they want to use. But the more popular hops varieties they mentioned like Galaxy are licensed to their inventors, so we had to narrow our search to non-proprietary varieties from different parts of the world that would grow well here. We now grow seven kinds of hops. The bestsellers are Cascade and Saaz. “The hardest thing about growing hops is harvest time,” says Karen. “Hops plants grow vertically on trellises six metres high and you have to pick them at a critical time: there’s a 10-day window to pick them before they start to rot.

THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

MEET THE BREW CREW

Left, then top to bottom: Josh King of King Tide Brewing tipping a bag of Voyager Craft Malt into the mash; Jade of Ryefield Hops; A team of hand pickers at Ryefield Hops. Photos courtesy of respective breweries.

“We were doing it by hand in the first few years so we found it difficult to increase the size of the farm. But last year we invested in a second-hand mechanical harvester from New Zealand and that allowed us to really expand. We now have 12 acres but it still isn't enough to meet demand because there are so many craft breweries out there that want to use locally grown inputs. If there were another 10 independent hops growers in our area, we wouldn’t lose a single cent in sales. They’d be complementary to our operation and turn Bemboka into a hops-growing region.” THE MALT CONNOISSEUR

Fast fact Since COVID-19, a third of consumers are purchasing more craft beer from their region while one out of five are buying less Australian mainstream beer

“I've been brewing at my home for 15-plus years but about three years ago I started brewing commercially,” says Josh King of King Tide Brewing in Coffs Harbour. “We’re a gypsy brewer in that we brew our beers at another brewer’s plant in Port Macquarie. But we’re planning to open our own brewery and gastropub in town this year. “For our malted barley, we source it from a few different places,” Josh says. “Our pale ale is made with a malt called Compass that’s grown and malted at Voyager Craft Malt in Barellan. It has terrific bright tropical notes and is probably one of the best tropical malts in the world – it gives our beer that fuller flavour we are trying to achieve.”

TRADE BEER

“About three years ago, I started a venture with two mates who also work in agriculture to try to grow hops at Barrington,” he explains. “We planted 150 hops plants in that first year, and things went really well right from the start because the demand for locally grown hops is so strong. The breweries near us in the Hunter Valley and Mid-North Coast take our entire harvest every year and use it within the first month of production, which is why we're scaling up so fast.” The company is now in its third season and has about 1,000 plants. “But hops are very labour intensive, especially in the summer when you have to pick them,” Angus says. “And they're very land-intensive, too. You can’t sew hop plants on such broad acres as you do with wheat or barley. They are a perennial horticultural crop – growing more like apple orchards or grapes, and live for up to 25 years.” Angus explains that you get Hops flowers in the first year after planting but they don’t reach maturity until the third or fourth year. “So the cost to establish a hops farm is quite large at the start, and this prohibits most farmers from trying to grow them on a commercial scale,” he says. l

Josh explains that buying malt locally is a little bit more expensive than buying on the open market in bulk. “But if you look at the big picture, when people come to our cellar door and try our beers, they like hearing about how we support local businesses, and Voyager is as local as you can get.” Josh also buys some of the hops from overseas because of the unique characters they bring. “Brewing is very different from wine-making where you have to buy your grapes from your country or region,” he says. “American hops are a great example, as they’re resiny and piney. New Zealand hops give craft beer an incredibly unique characteristic that is difficult to get out of Aussie hops, and if you want a noble flavour, you can only get that out of European hops. That’s the most exciting thing about craft brewing. You can really capture flavours from different parts of the world no matter where your brewery is located.” THE GRAIN TRADER

Angus Groves is a grain trader based in Central West NSW, who also runs Barrington Hops, a small hops farm located at the foothills of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Barrington Tops National Park. He purchases grains from big farms and exports them around the world.

LO CAL BREWS

Above, then top to bottom: The beer and merchandise from Deepwater Brewing (an hour's drive from Guyra) is popular with locals; Jade, Morgan and Karen from Ryefield Hops; King Tide Brewing is a popular beer from Coffs Harbour.

Fast fact Before COVID-19, only 38 per cent of drinkers had purchased beer online. But in the past 12 months,

53%

have purchased beer online

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THE FARMER

THE NOT-SO-HUMBLE

potato

Potatoes are a valuable horticultural crop in Australia that makes up a fifth of Australia’s vegetable production, but global competition keeps potato growers on their toes.

–

Words JEANETTE SEVERS

THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

TRADE THE POTATO INDUSTRY

ustralian farmers are able to grow high-yielding, quality crops in a sustainable agricultural system, making potatoes an easily tradeable commodity. In fact, today, potatoes are the fourth-largest food crop internationally, accounting for 20 per cent of all vegetable production in Australia. Processing potatoes accounts for 56 per cent, fresh potatoes 36 per cent, and seed production makes up the remaining 8 per cent. This production is spread across all Australian states, with Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia each accounting for almost one quarter of the crop. In NSW, potatoes are the largest segment of vegetable production, with a focus on growing seed potatoes and crisping potatoes – and yet less than 0.2 per cent of potatoes grown in NSW are exported as fresh vegetables. This makes potatoes a valuable horticultural crop in NSW, for seed producers, growers and processors.

Most of the Australian product is grown for crisping, which means it is competing for a global supply. While there are restrictions on importing fresh potatoes into Australia, the frozen market is global, with over-supply affecting prices paid at the farm gate. Similarly, the fresh market is global. Australia exports seed potatoes to Norfolk Island and Fiji; and eating potatoes to markets as diverse as Asia, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Papua New Guinea and Europe. South Korea is still a leading market for Australian potato exports, and market share continues to increase in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. The Philippines and Vietnam are also strong markets for Australian potatoes. Given the competitive environment, farmers are seeking to differentiate themselves in the marketplace – sometimes with their provenance story. Product diversification is also important to manage the time paddocks need to rest between potato crops, whether it’s for seed production or the edible vegetable.

A GLOBAL OUTLOOK

Consumer tastes, refrigerated transport, processing trends and market power are among the key influences on the potato landscape. Refrigerated transport in particular enables growers to cross borders to send their produce to market, ramping up the competition for NSW farmers due to the increased number of growers who can sell their potatoes in the lucrative Sydney market. The rigour of quality assurance means biosecurity and traceability are high on the agenda for growers across the nation – in keeping diseases out of Australia and in restricting access internally – as well as maintaining the integrity of tube and seed stock.

SOWING THE SEED S

(Left to right) Potato farmer Daniel Kadwell (Photo by Kim Sherley Photography Goulburn); The Kadwell's potato farm in Crookwell. Garry Kadwell digs up potatoes to see if they are uniform in size.

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THE FARMER

History of potatoes 1532 Spanish Conquistadors

DIMINISHING GROWERS

saw Inca people cultivating a root vegetable in Bolivia and took samples back to Spain with them. The vegetable became popular across Europe and Britain

1797 Governor Hunter reported 11 acres were under potato crop in the Parramatta district west of Sydney

1906 119,000 acres of potatoes were under crop in Australia

1941-44 WWII efforts meant

people were encouraged to grow their own food, which led to a spike in potato production to nearly 100,000 hectares under cultivation, producing about 900,000 tonnes

1950s Average annual potato

2011 The sequence of the potato genome was publicly released in July 2011

2011 Average annual potato

consumption in Australia is 49.7kg per person

2018 Grower and Processor

Strategic Investment Advisory Panels are amalgamated and Australian exports of potatoes (excluding seed potatoes) increased 23 per cent in value to $31 million, with the volume increasing 27 per cent to 40,000 tonnes

When the Crookwell Potato Association was formed, there were several dozen seed potato growers in the region. Now there are only four growers. “But the acreage being planted is still the same as when there were 26 growers,” says Garry Kadwell, from his family farm where he cultivates 727.5 hectares on a rotational system to grow seed potatoes for a processor company, under license and forward contract. “When I was working alongside my father, we had 25 buyers who took a truck each. Now I have three clients and they buy their seed in B-double loads,” he says. “We grow mostly for South Australian growers, who plant into sand for the brushed and washed potato supermarket consumer. “Our story is about the rich organic soils our seeds are grown in, and this taste, colour and smell permeates into the potato bought by the consumer.” WATER IS CRITICAL

the Potato declared

potatoes are produced in Australia, worth $718,344,301 at the farm gate. The total tonnage produced in NSW is 82,463 tonnes; or 6.7 per cent of national harvest

For potato seed and vegetable growers, water is a critical factor. “Lack of water would put a stop to the industry,” Garry says. The last few years of drought have caused him to push summer planting into late February to harvest his autumn crop – and focus on growing short-season tuber varieties to produce a competitive yield of seed, on minimal water inputs. These grower objectives flow from tuber and seed to the potato grown for consumers. In another large family agribusiness, Geoff Moar produces potatoes on his Riverina farms for two processing companies, for the French fries market. The AUSVEG director and past chairman is concerned about the availability of water to grow potatoes. “We bought the land where we are, to grow potatoes,” Geoff says. “Over the past decade, our decisions about what we grow and when we plant have been affected by lack of water availability. We look at the best variety that needs the least water to yield the most.” He says cost of production is high in Australia, with no subsidies, which means growers are competing in an uneven marketplace and risking more imported frozen and processed product being sold in Australia. “Growers in Australia are affected by a global supply and the big processing companies can import frozen product if they’re not happy about the price that growers want,” Geoff says.

2009 1.2 million tonnes of

2019 Total fresh potato exports

LACK OF SEED PRODUCTION

consumption in Australia is around 52kg per person

1960s Australian potato

production is 450,000 tonnes

1990s Australian potato

production hits 1.2 million tonnes and the average annual potato consumption in Australia is 68kg per person

2005-6 National crop is 35,500 hectares, which produced 1.369 million tonnes, comprising about a dozen varieties of potato with a farm gate value of $525,553,340.

Australia is the 35th biggest producer of potatoes globally, exporting 52,000 tonnes of potatoes or potato products. Potato and potato product imports totalled 36,000 tonnes worth $34m, and 81 per cent is frozen potato products

2008 International Year of potatoes are produced in Australia, valued at $557 million at the farm gate

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MAR - APR 2021

2018 South Korea retains its

position as the leading market for Australian potato exports – a lower tonnage still saw a 6 per cent increased value to $12.3 million. Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Vietnam also grew their markets for Australian potatoes

2018 Implementation of the

Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement resulted in Indonesia establishing an import quota for 10,000 tonnes of Australian potatoes annually; growing to 12,500 tonnes after five years

2018-19 1.225 million tonnes of

45,315 tonnes, valued at $31,349,042. Total seed potato exports are at 647 tonnes with a value of $7,305,409

Customer demand for fresh potatoes is increasingly driven by consumer awareness of Glycaemic Index and low-carb varieties, and taste and colour preferences. It results in pressure on growers to increase potato production for the fresh market.

TRADE THE POTATO INDUSTRY

LAY OF THE LAND

Above, then clockwise: Harvesting seed potatoes on the Kadwell farm; The Crookwell Potato Festival (Photo courtesy of Upper Lachlan Shire Council); Garry Kadwell, in a cereal crop. Growers incorporate cereals into their crop rotations to rest paddocks after potatoes are harvested.

“All growers in this region have been asked to increase the tonnage we grow and produce for next autumn, but the seed is not available,” explains Geoff. “The seed we plant has to be secured months in advance.” With a three-to-five-year turnaround on seed production, and another year to grow the potatoes, the industry cannot pivot quickly to upscale production. Supply is also affected by the number of growers with available land, given how long biosecurity and disease traceability controls require a grower to rest a paddock between potato crops. The licensing restrictions for each variety of potato mean growers can only plant the variety and quantity of crop agreed to in their contract with a processor. “So we escalate production over time. With few producers growing potatoes, that also means growers expand their holdings and look for water security,” Geoff says. l

Celebrating spuds The Crookwell Potato Festival started off as a country weekend event and has built its impetus on Crookwell’s reputation as the home of the potato in Australia. After a virtual festival in 2020, this year the community has planned another weekend of potato-based farm tours and activities. Bolivia is where potatoes were originally cultivated and so the Ambassador of Bolivia is visiting the festival for the weekend. Garry and his son Daniel expect to welcome the usual 1,000 people onto their farm during the festival, for public tours and tastings. “People can talk about potatoes, taste potatoes, and buy small bags of potatoes for a gold coin donation to a local charity,” Garry says. “They can see the machinery we use and talk about the history of potato growing. With few potato growers in the region, the festival has given Crookwell a focus point for the whole community to participate in.

MAR - APR 2021

THE FARMER

TOOLS TRACTORS

For the love of tractors For many farmers, their beloved tractor is an integral part of operations that handles a lion’s share of the work. There is also a certain amount of sentimentality attached to tractors, as if you use one, you spend a lot of time on it. And, well, they just look really cool.

–

Words TONY BLACKIE

very Australia Day Chris Holmes settles into the seat of his Chamberlain Super 90 tractor fully expecting to win the tractor pulling competition. It’s the event of the year for the town of Wombat, 15 kilometres south of Young in the South West Slopes region and it draws tractor enthusiasts from all over south eastern NSW. This year, 2021, there was a fear that the pandemic would mean the event would not go ahead, but an all clear was given by the council in the nick of time. For Chris, who currently has more than 100 vintage tractors on his block, it is always a chance to show off the best Australian built machines and to provide a walk-through of the history of local and imported tractors. “We have Chamberlains, AW6s, Internationals and well over 100 other tractors,” he said. “The Chamberlain Super 90, which is an Australian made tractor from the early 1950s, is still our best pulling tractor. Up against some of the modern tractors of its own size, it goes pretty well.” Chris says that he buys his tractor exhibits from farmers around the

THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

country where many an historic gem can be found rusting away and forgotten in farm sheds. “We just started out with a couple of tractors we were trying to get parts for and it grew from there. We are always looking for more,” he says. The oldest tractor in Chris’s collection is a 1920s Ford and a McCormick-Deering. He explains that these tractors have now entered the antique market and that over the years there has been a lot of trade internationally in vintage machines. In fact, he gets people coming from all over the world just to look at his tractor collection. Last year a tractor made in 1912 by Melbourne company, A.H. McDonald, sold for more than $400,000 at an auction in the US. The Imperial EB model internalcombustion tractor is a two-cylinder, 20 horsepower machine and state of the art in its day. A. H. McDonald was Australia’s first tractor manufacturer, starting production in 1908. There were numerous others as the delivery of tractors and other farm machinery from England was expensive and took many months. Most of the Australian brands, >

TRACTOR SALES SOAR

Twelve months ago, the auction house Donnington sold more than 100 restored tractors.

MAR - APR 2021

THE FARMER

ALWAYS A TRACTOR FAN

Top to bottom: Chris Holmes has more than 100 tractors in his collection; Chris and his brother with their father in the 1960s – possibly when his love of tractors was born; An excited participant in a tractor parade at Wombat.

THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

like Chamberlain, were bought up by large US and European manufacturers. Chamberlain was purchased by John Deere in 1970. But the traditional source for machinery including tractors was England, and the first internal combustion tractors to be sold in Australia were English Ivels which arrived in 1903. Twelve months ago, auction house Donington sold more than 100 restored vintage tractors. Donington Director, Cameron Sabine says, “We sold everything and at good prices too. All of the tractors came from a single collector and most were in good running order. While some of the tractors went overseas, a vast majority went to collectors in New South Wales and Victoria.” Cameron says his background is in classic cars, however, the wide interest in tractors meant that he would be running more auctions for vintage farm machinery in the future. “There are definitely a lot of people interested in tractors,” he says. While COVID-19 almost derailed the Wombat Australia Day Tractor Pulling Competition, 2020 had something of a silver lining for the tractor and farm machinery industry. According to Gary Northover, Executive Director of Tractor and Machinery Association of Australia (TMA), a record number of tractors were sold in 2020 to farmers taking the opportunity to capitalise on the

TOOLS TRACTORS

wet and the optimal growing, planting and general farm maintenance weather. The addition of the federal government’s Instant Asset Write Off Scheme made it a perfect time to buy. The Asset Write Off provided a much needed boost to both farm machinery sales organisation and farmers. Essentially the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) allowed eligible businesses to claim an immediate deduction for the business portion of the cost of an asset in the year the asset is first used or installed ready for use. Claims of up to $150,000 for each asset are allowed and businesses can claim multiple assets, such as new or used farm equipment, utes, tractors etc, with the proviso being that the cost of each individual asset must be less than $150,000. This allowance is available for assets bought before 30 June, 2020 and first used or installed ready for use between 12 March 2020 until 30 June 2021. As Gary says, ”2020 didn’t start out well for tractor people, but then the instant asset write off and the rain helped to make it the best year.” He says the major growth sector has been in the smaller acreage and the development of the ‘leisure market’ for tractors and farm machinery. “The broadacre farmer is a steady end of the market. The growth is in the 60 horsepower sector which is expanding each year. They are the lifestyle, hobby, vineyard and orchardist farmers, not the big end in terms of land holdings. This market also includes councils and private use.” Overall Gary says this group constituted the majority of tractor buyers in 2020, and he says NSW farmers were the major buyers with sales up 84 per cent on the same period in the previous year. He says that Australia has always had a role in the tractor and farm machinery industry and although the days when tractors were made in Australia are long gone, local input to research and

WINNING TRACTOR

Chris Holmes in his Chamberlain Super 90, competing in the annual tractor-pulling competition in Wombat.

development for future tractors is driving the global manufacturing innovation. “We’ve been working with the Department of Environment looking into emissions and we are now looking at product too,” Gary says. “Over time there will be an evolution with electric tractors coming on to the market for some early adopters who are always going to be there.” There are already a number of electric engine battery powered tractors on the market and hydrogen fuel cell drive train tractors are beginning to emerge as hydrogen fuel sources becomes more available. However no matter how shiny, slick and fancy the new breed of tractors might be, it seems there will always be a special place in the market for tractors of yesteryear. l

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THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

SPECIAL REPORT RENEWABLES AND SOLAR

hile politicians argue about net zero emissions by 2050, farmers are investing in renewable energy and saving money. The tension between renewable and fossil fuel sources dominates the national discourse when it comes to energy, however, forward thinking NSW Farmers are installing their own systems, or partnering with renewable energy companies to save money or gain reliable income. One of the main difficulties for farmers looking to invest in renewables is the quality and volume of information available, says Renewables in Ag Conference founder, Karin Stark. “There are also issues around capital cost and a general lack of trust that renewables will work the way they’re supposed to and deliver the savings manufacturers and installers claim.” Stark sought to address these issues when she hit upon the idea of holding the inaugural conference in Wagga Wagga in 2019 and she hopes to continue the good work in Dubbo, on 18 May. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Stark is expecting ticket sales will be limited, however, there will be several sessions that will be accessible online. “There is a lot of innovation happening in the area and not a lot of accessible information. The Renewables in Ag Conference is the only event in Australia that brings together all the stakeholders, government agencies such as ARENA and the CEFC, renewable energy companies, equipment manufacturers and distributors, installers, farmers who have already invested in renewables and those who are yet to invest. We’re holding it in Dubbo this year because of the Orana Central West renewable energy zone which is a microgrid project in the planning stage.” >

The tension between renewable and fossil fuel sources dominates the national discourse. When it comes to energy, however, forward-thinking NSW farmers are installing their own systems or partnering with renewable energy companies to gain reliable income.

–

Words DARREN BAGULEY

HARNES SING THE P OWER OF THE SUN, AT A CO ST

The cost of solar has plummeted, but the capital cost of installation remains a barrier for most potential customers.

MAR - APR 2021

THE FARMER

SPECIAL REPORT RENEWABLES AND SOLAR

Photo by Charlie Prell

Consisting of keynote addresses and breakout sessions, topics this year will include bioenergy, electric utes and vehicles, green hydrogen, financing renewable investments, sharing the benefits of utility scale renewables, microgrids, battery storage and Essential Energy will be presenting on the future of the grid. In addition, there will be several agricultural producers speaking about their experience of investing in renewable energy. “The feedback we got from the 2019 conference was that having farmers speak of their experiences was really powerful, so we’ve got Justin Jarett from See Saw Wines talking about solar panels and horticulture and a farmer from Dubbo, Tom Warren, will be talking about his experience having a grid scale tracking solar panel installation on his cropping and sheep property.” Industry presenters will include Luke Osborne from Stride Renewables and Andrew Bray, the National Co-ordinator of the Australian Wind Alliance. While there is no doubt the Renewables in Ag Conference addresses an urgent need, managing director of EvoPower, Jamie Allen, says he has seen a steady increase in enquiries. “Farmers are hearing about the benefits of solar versus pumps powered by the grid or diesel. Lead acid batteries have been replaced by lithium ion as prices have come down 90 percent due to hybrid/electric vehicles, laptops, tablets and mobile phones etc. Last season’s bushfires have also driven demand in Southern NSW and Eastern

THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

TRUST IN DELIVERABLES

Clockwise from top left: NSW Farmers’ Member David Mailler (left) with his father Michael at their Chillamurra solar farm; Renewables in Ag Conference founder, Karin Stark; A large wind turbine can produce up to 2Mw of electricity.

Victoria, both from people on remote properties and power companies.” Allen adds that cost, reliability and the desire for energy independence are all strong drivers for farmers who install solar, however, the need to get power to expand their operations is also a big driver. “For farmers who want to expand their operations, not being able to get power around their property is a big challenge on large properties especially. First, there has to be enough supply, that is not always the case. Then they have to put in poles and wires, possibly upgrade transformers etc. and there is a significant cost there. So, we are seeing customers get around that by going off grid or they may add grid connections and deliberately expand the system. If they’re relying on diesel pumps that can pay off well.”

FAST FACTS

second Renewables in Agriculture Conference is on in Dubbo  The on 18 May costs are so high that irrigators are ‘irrigating to the tariff’  Electricity rather than to meet the needs of the crop or tree panel and battery prices have dropped as much as 90 per cent  Solar in the last 10 years

While the cost of solar has plummeted in recent years, the capital cost of installation remains a barrier for most potential customers. Farmer focused solar company; Ag Energy offers a no-capital solution through basically renting roof space. According to co-founder, Terry Curtis, “our customer agrees to let us use the roof space, we install a system suitable for their needs and sell them back the power at a highly reduced rate compared to what they're currently paying. It varies of course, but usually our customers see a 30 to 50 percent saving on the cost per kilowatt hour”. “While the system is in place, we are monitoring and doing maintenance and after a period of time, generally about seven years, the customer gets to keep the solar system. There is no lock in contract so if at any time the customer is not happy and they want to jump out, we come and remove the system at our cost.” While there is the option to exit the contract with no penalty, Curtis says few have ever exercised that option and the company saw its business double in 2020. Our focus is on helping our customers. “Our customers keep the feed in tariff, they only pay for what they use so we only make money when they're making a saving.” l

Sun Tracker case study

WIND IN OUR WINGS

At the end of 2019 there were 101 wind farms across Australia.

Tom Warren, a cropping and sheep farmer near Dubbo will be one of the main speakers at this year’s Renewables in Ag Conference. Tom has leased some of his land for a 20Mw Sun Tracker installation which he says enhances rather than impacts upon his operation. “My farm was identified as a suitable candidate for a commercial solar farm, so I was invited to consider the opportunity to lease my land. It was meant to feed into grid near Dubbo so one of the criteria was proximity to a substation. The company did a study, and it was under consideration for 18 months and then it asked if it could put a 24/7 live weather station to validate the solar radiation data. The weather station data showed our land was a good candidate, so the company came back and said yes, we would like to proceed. It was then a process of negotiation over land, returns etc. “I saw it as a great opportunity to supplement my agricultural income. I had looked at places all over the world where farmers continued to practice agriculture on land leased to renewable energy companies. So, I was very keen right from the outset that I would get the opportunity to graze beneath the solar. We reached an agreement; the company constructed it and ran two big underground cables to the South Dubbo substation. Due to drought, Tom has been running Merino wethers under the panels, not ewes and lambs. “I just wanted to see how they go, and it has been quite successful, my carrying capacity hasn’t changed. It is a Sun Tracker system where the panels change angle during the day which allows light to still reach the ground. “They always go back to same position to sleep at night, why that orientation I don’t know, and if we get shower or just some sort of condensation overnight it concentrates on the panels then runs off and grows grass. So even in drought I had these little strips of green grass next to the arrays in the middle of one of the worst droughts we have ever seen. “My take is that grazing sheep and these Sun Tracker solar farms are totally compatible. There is no negative impact at all. The sheep get shade and shelter from the wind, the farm really breaks up the wind and provides a different climate beneath the panels.”

MAR - APR 2021

THE FARMER

SMART ADDITION

Blayney Vineyard. Soil moisture monitoring is critical to optimum performance of vines and automated systems are reducing in cost and becoming more capable. (Photo courtesy of Scott McKinnon, NSW DPI.)

FARMS OF THE FUTURE

The Internet of Things (IoT) is having a massive impact on the way we live, and it is quietly revolutionising agriculture.

–

Words DARREN BAGULEY

ne of the major changes we will see over the next 10 years will be the accelerating spread of the IoT and associated use of the ‘Big Data’ derived from it. Information technology portal, TechTarget, defines the IoT as “a system of interrelated computing devices, mechanical and digital machines, objects, animals or people that are provided with unique identifiers (UIDs) and the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-tohuman or human-to-computer interaction”. Science fiction writer, William Gibson once said – “the future is here, it’s just not evenly distributed”. And in some industries, such as mining, this is absolutely true. For large mining companies such as BHP, Rio Tinto and Fortescue, the age of the IoT is already here. It has also arrived in some pockets of agriculture, particularly horticulture, but agriculture’s adoption of the technology is generally lagging behind other industries.

THE FARMER MAR - APR 2021

SPECIAL REPORT SMART FARMS

It is partly to address the slow take up of agtech and the IoT, that the NSW Government is running Farms of the Future, a pilot program on three farms around regional NSW. The program is designed to showcase the benefits and opportunities agricultural technology (agtech) and the IoT can deliver for drought resilience, improved productivity and enhanced water security. Led by the NSW DPI, the Farms of the Future pilot has installed a range of commercially available connectivity solutions and field sensor technology on three properties to test and demonstrate the benefits that can be delivered to farming via agtech and IoT. The three pilot farms – all family farms situated in Blayney, Narromine and Coonamble – cover the diverse climate, topography and a range of farming practices that characterise regional NSW, including dryland cropping, irrigation, livestock farming and viticulture. Agtech installed across the three pilot properties include water monitoring for stock, irrigation management, soil moisture monitoring, weather and crop-data collection, cattle monitoring, stock tracking, general farm communications, security monitoring and farm safety management. To determine how to best address on-farm connectivity challenges, the pilot is using a mix of connectivity options depending on the sensor and coverage needs of each farm, including: farm-wide Wi-Fi; mobile 3/4G; satellite; and narrowband connectivity that does not require large bandwidth and complements existing services. According to NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, John Barilaro, “we are helping to develop technology that can help farmers boost their

BY PHIL SOMERVILLE

productivity and profits by giving them access to realtime, accurate data to monitor livestock, crop health, staff on-site, and water levels, which all contributes to the success of a farm’s business. “Through this pilot, we are testing commercially available technology including soil moisture sensors, water tank monitors, weather and crop sensors, in-paddock livestock weighing scales and stock tracking collars. We are also working with farmers, technology providers and local connectivity network providers to understand how we can best help farmers to take advantage of available technology.” Some of the technologies that the IoT and the latest agtech is leveraging – such as RFID ear tags for livestock – have been around for decades, but the issues each wave of technology is trying to solve, remains the same. According to Allflex Australia’s Marketing Manager Kirstyn McKay, the problems Allflex technology can solve for the producer are: reducing human error with recording of information and decision making; data recording and analysis; inefficient stock management and genetic and transferable livestock disease; on-farm labour constraints and helping reduce management fatigue amongst producers. While demonstration farms are a useful education tool, most farmers implementing agtech will do so incrementally. Agriwebb Co-Founder, John Fargher, cautions “that many smart farm projects come in at a level that’s too high, and farmers can form the perception that the ‘smart farm’ is something that’s testing out new technologies or technologies that could be available in the future.” >

SMART ADDITIONS

Top left then clockwise: a weather station, in-paddock weighing machines and water tank level sensors. Especially during summer, monitoring stock, water and soil moisture can be a time-consuming task and one that can now be automated with the technology available.

MAR - APR 2021

THE FARMER

SPECIAL REPORT SMART FARMS

Agriwebb is a map-based farm management software platform, focusing specifically on livestock and mixed farming enterprises. It provides day to day record keeping with a mobile app that effectively replaces a pencil and paper notebook. “Often, when people think of a smart farm, they think of IoT technology, which is almost futuristic. That investment will need to happen, but agriculture is the least digitised industry in the world, and it is really difficult to digitise information that is in someone’s head or in a notebook or diary. There’s a big gap between what people are doing on farm today and what’s perceived as a smart farm and that is in a way a barrier to adoption of the technology.” McKay argues that the “barriers that producers may face on the ground when implementing these sorts of technologies include familiarity, or lack of, with technology and the cost of equipment in comparison to their budget. Producers need to use the technology to its full capacity to see the results, but it takes time and training to implement and gain experience with the technology.” Effective on-ground education is going to be extremely important to close the gap between what is ultimately possible and proven technologies farmers can start using right now. Fargher points to water monitoring as a great example of a clear return on investment. “Checking stock watering points manually is an expensive process, particularly in the summer months, and that technology has evolved really quickly, and it doesn’t always require internet connectivity, or mobile phone reception. Although alternatives to 3G/4G have traditionally been cost prohibitive, the gap is

closing. There’s a huge opportunity to bring that in as first a step along the road to what people think of as the ‘smart farm’”. For farmers who have progressed further along the journey towards the ‘smart farm’, when dealing with the avalanche of data that is called ‘Big Data’ produced by agtech systems, things quickly become difficult. But as industries that are further developed have discovered, the task of aggregating, managing and interpreting the data is a challenge that must be met to fully realise the potential of the smart farm. One company that is seeking to help farmers meet that challenge is Pairtree, founded by fifth generation Central NSW farmer, Hamish Munro. “There are a lot of good experts out there doing tank telemetry, soil probes, weather stations or the whole connectivity piece really well,” he says. “So the real issue now and into the future – as running a farm becomes more technology dependent – is developing farmer friendly ways to look at the data that all those systems generate and doing something useful with it.” Hamish explains that Pairtree is currently able to connect to 80 plus paired partners across the digital ag and agtech space within Australia. It takes the data from those partners, normalises it and makes it available in a meaningful way. By presenting information in the Pairtree universal dashboard, the app complements and aligns the various data feeds. For example, a farmer will be able to look at the one dashboard and see how much water is in the farm’s tanks, even if those tanks use different apps, what the cattle and sheep markets are doing, and what soil moisture levels are in different fields. l

Fast fact ed by the DPI, the L NSW Government has launched the Farms of the Future program to showcase leading edgy agtech solutions available now on family farms across NSW. According to website www.tracxn.com there are

313

Agtech start-ups in Australia Increasingly, agtech will become part of the Internet of Things (IoT)

Farmdeck: One agtech solution from one provider Despite the increasing number of IoT products available to Australian farmers, no Australian company is offering a comprehensive farm management solution. AgTech companies either provide the sensors, the network, or the farm management software, but none of them provides all three. This is a challenge Marco Delgado, Farmdeck founder and CEO, discovered in 2016 when he purchased a farm in Bathurst, NSW. Also founder and CEO of a technology company since 2006, he saw an opportunity to create an affordable yet powerful comprehensive IoT farm management solution. “Having the expertise to take farmers through all the phases of an agriculture IoT project allows Farmdeck to offer tailored solutions as well as direct support in case of problems with any of the components. Having a single platform – single provider is a huge advantage for farmers. It makes the whole process so much simpler,” he says. Although Farmdeck sells its own sensors, its farm management platform is still compatible with most sensors already used on Australian farms.

THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

Farmdeck includes IoT features like water levels management, removing the need for a daily water run. It also offers rollover alerts if a quad bike turns over, increasing safety on the farm. Other features offered are electric fence Farmdeck Founder monitoring – which gives continuous Marco Delgado visibility on the voltage of fences and sends alerts if it drops below a certain threshold – reducing the loss of livestock, and spraying conditions which use a weather station and Delta-T to make recommendations. Marco says: “One of the differentiators for Farmdeck is that our basic monthly subscription already includes a lot of bonus features that don’t require any IoT investment and that we give away for free. For example, using satellite imaging, we’re able to provide NDVI information to our customers and estimate how much pasture they have left on their paddocks.” Email: sales@farmdeck.com, or visit www.farmdeck.com

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THE TREECHANGE: is all that glitters gold? Friendly neighbours, Sunday roasts and a big green lawn. That’s the promise of moving to the countryside. But is the tree-change all it is stacked up to be?

–

Words IAN LLOYD NEUBAUER

THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

TREND TREECHANGE

arly last year, physiotherapist Ron Postma and his family packed up their belongings and moved from Sydney’s northern suburbs to Orange. There they bought a home on a 5-acre property on the outskirts of town with a small orchard, some chickens, two alpacas and four goats. “We love it here,” says Ron. “The cost of living – fuel, groceries, take-away food – it’s all cheaper than in Sydney. The kids are enrolled in a local school and have made new friends. We know all our neighbours, they invited us to a Christmas party last year, and now I ride a bicycle to work. Plus there's a whiskey bar in town.” The Postmas are part of the ‘tree-change’ phenomenon – an ever-growing wave of city folk migrating to rural areas to pursue the dream of a simpler life. “In the three years ending June 2019, the net population of our eight capital cities dropped by 52,650,” says Simon Pressley, an analyst with Propertyology. “And that is net movement that was heavily pulled the other way by international migrants who nearly all choose Sydney or Melbourne.” FLEEING THE PANDEMIC

COVID-19 appears to have accelerated the treechange phenomenon. In the quarter to June 2020, capital cities recorded a net loss of 10,500 people to regional areas, according to ABS data – the largest net quarterly move to regional areas on record in Australia and more than double the quarterly average of the past 10 years. “So many people want to live here,” says Amorette Zielinski, a former Sydneysider who also moved from Sydney to Orange in 2013. “It’s not too far from Sydney, there’s great food and wine and national parks with hiking trails. And now with the flexibility offered by employers where you can work from home, many of those who were chewing the fat for years have finally made the move.” But Eliza Owen, head of research at CoreLogic Australia, believes the theory that thousands upon thousands of people escaped to the country because of COVID-19 is overcooked. “An emerging narrative around regional dwelling markets is that they may see increased demand as a result of COVID-19,” she says. “This is thought to be driven by the way the pandemic has forcibly introduced remote work for knowledge-based or clerical workers. But in the wake of the pandemic, the return to an office environment may still be desirable for some employees and employers.” Peter Koulizos, a property lecturer at the University of Adelaide, agrees: “I have not heard that people are making the big move,” he said. “What I am hearing is that there are lots of people looking to rent short-term, three to six months, in lifestyle areas away from the capital cities.” But Adam Woods, a real-estate agent with McGrath Central Tablelands in Mudgee who says

TOWNS LURING CITY FOLK

Right, then top to bottom: Blackheath in the Blue Mountains; The sprawling streets of Dubbo; dusk settles upon the city of Goulburn.

2020 was his busiest year in more than two decades in the industry, believes the changes sparked by the pandemic are here to stay. “For a lot of people, COVID-19 has let them slow down and think about what they are doing and why – whether the idea of spending hours each day stuck in traffic and working in a cubicle is productive,” he says. “People who move to the country are taking their time back – time that can be reinvested in their family.” BY PHIL SOMERVILLE

Fast fact The medium house price in regional NSW is

$508,577 compared to

$1,000,170 in Sydney

MAR - APR 2021

THE FARMER

TREND TREECHANGE

a three-year waiting list – not just in Orange but any town in the Central West. You can’t even find tradies. Every second post I see on Facebook is about people saying things such as: ‘I'm desperate to find a plumber or electrician’. Demand has outstripped supply.” TIME TO ADJUST

DECLINING AFFORDABILITY

MAX EXODUS FROM CITIES

Much can be learned about why people are leaving capital cities in numbers never seen before by looking at the specific areas they are moving to. While Orange and Mudgee are in vogue, the most popular tree-change destinations in NSW are the Illawarra, the Capital region and the mid-North Coast – all of which are within commutable distances to Sydney. The same pattern has transpired in Queensland and Victoria, where the two most popular tree-change destinations – Ipswich and Melbourne West – are technically within city limits. This suggests cheaper housing, and not an actual desire to live in the country, is driving the tree-change phenomenon. And it’s sending property prices in these areas through the roof. Between March and November last year, prices in the Hunter Valley jumped 11.6 per cent. In the Illawarra, they climbed 16.5 per cent while home values in the Southern Highlands increased by an eye-watering 21.7 per cent. “Commutable regional areas within a reasonable travel distance to the major metropolitan centres have seen particularly extraordinary increases in demand,” says Claire of Corelogic. And while such price-hikes are good for regional economies, they come with downside risk. “For local first-home buyers, declining affordability may become a problem,” says Claire. “Growth may start to slow in regions that have already seen a sustained upswing due to such affordability constraints.” Inland regions of NSW are benefiting from the regional property boom too. The Postmas paid just under a million for their five-acre home near Orange – a figure Ron said was a “bargain” compared to Sydney but probably “ridiculous” to locals. He’s not wrong. “House prices are crazy now in Orange,” says Amorette, “If you want to build your dream house, well, good luck. Any good builder has

The most popular places that Sydney folk are heading to are the Illawarra, the Capital region and the mid-North Coast – all of which are within commutable distances from Sydney.

THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

Fast fact 39 out of 52 of Australia's largest population centres don't have enough homes to rent with vacancy rates below

3 per cent.

Five of these are capital cities but the rest are regional towns

Many tree-changers are ill-prepared for the reality of life in the country. “There are people who moved to Orange for space but to keep their incomes going they have had to spend a lot of time commuting back and forwards to Sydney,” Amorette says. “Their spouses (I call them FIFO mums) get pretty lonely. I also found it tough going for the first few years, and found it hard to meet people,” she recalls. “That's why I started Central West Mums, a group for local women and mums to support each other and share information about what’s happening around town.” Central West Mums now has 3,900 members and 5,400 more on the Central Coast. Its first live event – Mumsfest Central West 2019, sold out in a matter of days. “I planned to do another one this year that would have been twice as big, but COVID-19 got in the way,” Amorette says. The unforgiving country climate can also be tough on the human spirit and new businesses – as Isaac Zietek learned in 2017 when he sold his pub in Melbourne to start a brewery and cellar door in a small town in the Northern Tablelands of NSW called Deepwater. “The whole business was based on the idea of using natural rainwater because they add things to the water in the city that aren’t necessarily good for making beer,” Zietek says. “But we were knee-capped from the start because of the drought. Then we had six months of fires. And when it finally started raining, the pandemic came and we couldn’t sell beer to pubs. I wish we could just have one normal year.” But real-estate agent Adam says that those who hang on end up making very good lives for themselves in the country. Isaac is living proof: the Deepwater Brewery and Cellar Door is now enjoying a roaring trade. “People have been extremely supportive of our cellar door since lockdowns ended,” he says. “They can’t travel overseas and are happy to spend their money here. So it’s a bit of a silver lining.” Amorette’s experience was not dissimilar. In September of last year, she monetised Central West Mums by building a new website. An online directory for family holidays, restaurants, workshops and events, Centralwestmums.com.au is already attracting scores of local advertisers. Even The Postmas had to bide their time to find their “happy place” in the countryside. “We spent the first nine months in a rental property in North Orange, and that place is not pretty – they cut all the trees and all you can see is shiny rooftops,” Ron says. “But now we are on an acreage, we love it.” And has the fantasy matched the reality? “More than double,” he says. l

MARKETPLACE

The saleyards Check out some of these great products to bring a bit of style to your farm. Edited by MICHELLE HESPE

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STOMP AROUND

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Merry People aims to bring modern design and versatility to the classic waterproof boot. Comfy and versatile, these gumboots are designed with quality natural rubber, flexible neoprene lining and are 100 per cent waterproof to keep your feet dry, warm and supported. merrypeople.com

Using natural, biodegradable and recycled fibres, Will & Bear creates high quality headgear designed to last. The brand’s ongoing partnership with trees. org means that for every hat sold, 10 trees are planted in an area suffering from severe deforestation. To date, Will & Bear have planted more than 200 acres of forest gardens in Senegal. willandbear.com

ORGANIC AUSSIE GOODIES

Murray River Organics have taken the hard work out of going organic by pioneering large-scale organic, sustainable processes across its 11 properties in Sunraysia. From muesli to Mylk chocolate, the entire Murray River Organics range has no preservatives, additives, GMO or added sugar and is vegan, organic and high in fibre. murrayriverorganics.com.au

JOURNAL FOR THE END

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THE UNTOLD STORY CRYSTAL RAIN GAUGE

QUENCH YOUR THIRST

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MAR - APR 2021

THE FARMER

BUSINESS TEXAS ANGUS

Texan bulls with Scottish lineage Despite drought and challenging conditions in Warialda, Texas Angus Stud continues to show that their bulls are some of the best on the market.

–

Words JEANETTE SEVERS Photography ANTHONY ONG

exas Angus Stud was founded in 1936, by The Scottish Australian Company. The stud’s name connects geographically to where it was originally established, in Texas, Queensland. When Texas Angus Stud was established it was home to 21 stud heifers and one bull, Kirkton Eroll, champion of the Scottish Angus Show – imported them to Australia by The Scottish Australian Company. To this day, those heifers and bull remain the core genetics for Texas Angus Stud. In 1955, the herd was dispersed and the next-door neighbour, Mr WHC Mayne, purchased several cow families and the stud sire – Paidrew of Kildinny. He formed the Gibraltar Angus Stud and his cattle went on to win a number of championship awards at the Royal shows at Brisbane and Sydney. After 26 years in 1981, Gibraltar Stud was dispersed, and Bill and Judy Mayne purchased 21 registered cows with heifer calves-at-foot, all with direct lineage to the original imported cattle, and they re-established the Texas Angus Stud. In 1999, Texas Angus Stud moved to ‘Doongara’ farm at Warialda, NSW, to be run as a stud and commercial herd, and succession planning saw Bill and Judy’s son, Ben, come into the business. Ben was joined by wife, Wendy, who also came into the business with a strong background in running familyowned cattle studs. Eventually, Ben and Wendy took over the entire business. The commercial herd has been dispersed in recent years, as a way of managing long-term drought impacts, but the stud – with 650 registered breeding cows – continues.

THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

FAMILY AT TEXAS ANGUS

Above then clockwise: Every cow family at Texas Angus relates to the 21 heifers and one bull that came out from Scotland, resulting in a very even line of cows and bulls; Ben Mayne; Wendy, Ben, their two beloved dogs and their daughter Rosie on the farm.

“Every cow family at Texas Angus relates to the 21 heifers and one bull that came out from Scotland. These strong maternal female lines are the core breeding base,” Wendy says. “We feel it results in a very even line of cows and bulls.” Ben and Wendy have created change in the past decade, building on the work of their forebears and in response to customer needs and consumer demands. They also run the stud as a commercial herd, with similar expectations for performance in breeding, growth and carcase quality. Their breeding program has a spring and autumn calving, enabling them to provide a range of 18-months-old and two-year-old bulls for their customers. “We focus on breeding a consistent product that has enhanced carcase quality,” Ben says. “Every one of our customers should see the same results in their herds.” > MAR - APR 2021

THE FARMER

BUSINESS TEXAS ANGUS

So, how do they do this? They continue to build on more than 80 years of running the stud with a commercial focus. “Our program focusses on breeding Angus cattle that can adapt quickly into many different environments,” Ben says. The late Bill Mayne had a reputation for breeding high performing Angus cattle with correct conformation and true-to-type. “Dad retired from the stud 11 years ago. I learned just about everything I know from him and his passion for cattle was amazing,” Ben says. “Dad was a practical person and a very, very good cattleman. His eye for cattle was phenomenal.” Since Bill’s retirement, Ben and Wendy continue to focus on those practicalities. They also use technology for record keeping and data comparison, along with recording animal nutrition and soil health information, to continue to improve their herd. “We’ve been able to build on dad’s legacy with significant investment in Breedplan, genomics and embryo transfer, to exponentially grow the business. Dad had a program he believed in and we still believe in that,” Ben says. “We’ve got 50-60 years of breeding data, which helps us identify our highly productive, fertile cows;

THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

the cow families that will breed every year. And we’re able to use technology to bring it all together with the practicalities of breeding.” With a focus that includes making money for everyone along the supply chain, for many years Ben and Wendy have been entering pens of heifers and steers into feeder and carcase trials at Rockhampton and Sydney. In 2018, Texas Angus won the 100-day export class at the tri-annual Beef Australia competition, in Rockhampton. Ben and Wendy Mayne were also awarded The Weekly Times Beef Farmer of the Year in 2018. Since 2014, the stud has been winning categories consistently in the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Beef Challenge at the Sydney Royal Show. In 2019, Texas Angus cattle featured strongly in the major export section (100 days on feed) at the Sydney Royal Show. The stud was awarded Champion team with a pen of Angus heifers, Reserve Champion team with a pen of Angus steers, and Champion individual with an Angus steer. An Angus heifer was awarded Reserve Champion Individual in the domestic section for daily weight gain, where cattle spend 70 days on feed. A pen of steers was second in the live assessment section. On the carcase grid, Texas Angus topped the table

A FAMILY AFFAIR

Above, then clockwise: Ben's father retired from the farm 11 years ago and Ben says he learnt everything from him; the family out in the fields; the prized Texas Angus bulls with Scottish lineage – one of which sold for a whopping $108,000 in 2020.

Texas Angus Timeline

1936 Texas Angus Stud founded

1955 Texas Angus Stud herd dispersal

1955 Mr WHC with a pen of export steers; one of these steers finished second on the leader board in the export individual category. Texas Angus cattle took out the category for profitability with a pen of heifers in the domestic section, as well as the individual; and a pen of heifers in the export section. The data they receive from these competitions feeds directly into their breeding program, with a focus on values like weight-for-age, profitability and carcase quality. “We decided 10 years ago to review our breeding program,” Wendy says. “We were among the first Angus breeders to enter the Beef Challenge at the Sydney Royal Show. We enter steers and heifers into these competitions to benchmark our breeding program.” Ben says that this information is very valuable for their future breeding decisions. “Large genetic lines of cattle that can consistently have live calves, higher growth rates

and hit all carcase specifications, will attract premiums for all sectors of the beef chain.” Texas Angus Stud was rewarded for their perseverance in 2020 at their annual on-property sale, with a full clearance of their biggest line of bulls – 122 – and receiving their highest price for a bull, at $108,000. Many commercial breeders bought a posse of bulls, demonstrating their confidence in the beef market, in the Angus breed and in Texas Angus Stud in particular. Ben and Wendy have endured years of drought to prove their bulls can perform. Their proof is in a returning customer base that extends from the southern States to Northern Queensland. In May 2021, the couple are planning a field day to showcase their breeding plan, animal health practices and talk about why they believe soil health is important for achieving their goals. l

Mayne purchases cow families and heifer calves-at-foot from Texas Angus Stud

1955 Mr WHC

Mayne forms Gibraltar Angus Stud

1998 The Mayne family moves Texas Angus Stud to Warialda, NSW

2000 Ben and

Wendy Mayne marry; Wendy comes into the family business

2009 Bill and

Judy Mayne retire to Goondiwindi

2018 Texas Angus

1981 Gibraltar Angus Stud herd dispersal

Stud won the 100-day export class, Beef Australia competition at Rockhampton

1981 Bill and Judy

2019 Texas Angus

Mayne purchase 21 registered cows with heifer calves-at-foot, at Gibraltar Angus Stud herd dispersal

1981 Texas Angus Stud re-established by Bill and Judy Mayne

1995 Ben Mayne joins his parents working on the farm

MAR - APR 2021

awarded Champion team, Reserve Champion team, and Champion individual, major export section, Sydney Royal Show

2020 Texas

Angus Stud annual on-property sale resulted in full dispersal of 155 bulls, with the highest price being $108,000 THE FARMER

THE FARMER MAR - APR 2021

BUSINESS PECORA DAIRY

FOR THE LOVE OF CHEESE

Cressida Cains’ work and life revolves around making and tasting cheese, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

A rising tide lifts all boats A tree-change for two Sydneysiders has resulted in a Southern Highlands enterprise that has brought so much more than the cheese they make to their new community.

–

Words EMILY HERBERT Photography LEAN TIMMS

heese, and its sustainable, artisanal creation is Cressida Cains’ life work. Choosing a tree change after a life working in Sydney’s wine industry, Cressida and her husband Michael now craft sumptuous sheep cheese in the Southern Highlands, each bite offering an expression of their farm’s entire ecosystem. Cressida Cains’ hours revolve around cheese – both the tasting and the making. No stranger to an early morning, she and Michael milk their 150 East Friesian ewes before tucking into fresh curd on toast with marmalade for breakfast. With a full day of farming, marketing and cheese making on the cards, it might then be a three-cheese toastie for lunch, and pasta with cheese for dinner. The award-winning artisan cheese maker lives and works on the family property; 200-acres of lush, rolling hills in Robertson, the green heart of the Southern Highlands. Named after the Italian word for sheep, Pecora Dairy boasts Australia’s only working pure East Friesian ewes, the most productive breed of dairy sheep in the world. >

MAR - APR 2021

THE FARMER

However, this isn’t a fourth-generation operation. The Cains traded their corporate life for greener pastures in 2011, swapping Sydney’s traffic blare for the bleating of lambs along the way. The snowballing of their business started with a baby and an overgrown lawn. Falling pregnant with their first child, Cressida and Michael decided to buy a small property an hour out of Sydney. With a house cow and an interest in milking already in place, Cressida bought a few sheep to help mow the lawns. “I guess coming from the wine industry, I already had a love of the confluence between art and science, which fundamentally, is what cheese-making is,” Cressida says. “It took us about six years of research and development to understand whether it was feasible for us to actually make sheep milking a business; to source genetics, learn the science of agriculture and how to make cheese.” The pair eventually found their perfect property. The first year of business passed in a haze, with Michael travelling to Sydney part-time for work. Cressida often set up dinner for her two young sons in the dairy as she milked the ewes and raised the lambs. It was a challenging time with a rainbow glinting though the storm; in its first year of operation, Pecora Dairy won a gold medal for its Blue Cheese at the Sydney Royal. It was the start of many firsts as Cressida continued to push boundaries. The dairy was also the first Australian cheesery licensed to make raw milk cheese in 2018. The result, named Yarrawa after the indigenous word for

THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

IN THE MAKING

It took six years of research and development before Pecora Dairy was ready to launch.

Robertson’s unique cool climate rainforest, uses very simple starter cultures, resulting in a buttery cheese that is a perfect expression of the Cains’ sustainable farming ethos. “Sheep milk is unlike anything else. It’s one of the most nutrient dense and rich milks, which makes it incredibly suitable for cheese making,” Cressida says. “It’s way higher in protein and calcium than cow’s or goat’s milk. It’s really the Rolls Royce milk for cheese making, which makes it extremely attractive to us.” During the frosts of lambing, the family – including sons Hugo, 16 and Darcy, 14 – are up early, walking the flock to check mums and bubs. They milk twice a day for six months of the year, and then once a day for four months. Sustainability and the health of the ewes and lambs is of utmost importance. When they are not milking the sheep, the family make small amounts of cheese with cows milk from a local farm. “We also focus on jobs that get neglected during the milking/ cheesemaking season,” says Cressida. In the cheesery, Cressida focuses on the art form. “We’re producing about seven tons of cheese a year and we are growing; we don’t want to grow massively, but we do want to grow at a slow and steady pace,” she says. “Once the lambs are weaned in about September, then we’re full on into cheese making. The actual making part is really only 50 per cent of the cheese making, the other part is what’s called affinage, or ageing, which is the care and maturation of the cheese and that’s really an art form itself. It’s very time consuming, where we brush, turn and rind the cheeses.”

BUSINESS PECORA DAIRY

With headlines baying the decline of Australian family dairies, Cressida sees the stark realities of the future – and feels compelled to take action. “Ultimately, we’ve really devalued milk and I think the consumer has a very skewed understanding of what it takes to produce a litre and what it’s worth,” she says. “I think the Australian Dairy Industry is in strife. In 1980, there were 22,000 dairy farms and today there are just over 5,000. In 2019, we had 486 small, family-owned dairies close, which is the largest annual exit. Small family owned dairy farms are finding it difficult to make a profit and that’s because the concentration of market power is with a small number of processors and the tightly held retail market, which makes it really difficult for small dairy farmers to have any bargaining power.” The notion of empowerment sparked Cressida’s idea for Dairy Cocoon, her not-for-profit digital platform and support hub. The online portal helps build entrepreneurial muscle for small dairy farmers by offering a pathway towards profitable alternatives like cheese, yoghurt, gelato and branded milk. “Dairy Cocoon is not a silver bullet to solve all the problems of the dairy industry, but it’s another way for farmers to take back control and become more of a price setter,” she says. “Australia is importing a huge amount of cheese. In 1980, we imported 65,000 tons and last year we imported 105,000 tons and that’s going up by about 4,000 tons every year so there is huge opportunity for local independent dairy brands.” “Australians are certainly wanting better quality dairy products and there is a need and a want for

NOT ALL FARM WORK

DairyCocoon.com is Cressida's not-forprofit digital platform that helps build entrepreneurial muscle for small dairy farmers.

independent brands. Since the coronavirus pandemic emerged, more people are now considering the provenance of their food; they want local, Australian made products.” Dairy Cocoon offers business modelling and marketing plans to farmers, as well as information about industry specific courses. The support hub takes the form of mentors, consultants and a private Facebook group with industry peers. With an eye to sustainability, Cressida says farmers can dramatically reduce their herds when turning to artisanal products. “We have friends who were about to sell their fifth-generation dairy farm. Then they had the idea of producing milk and gelato with the long-term aim of producing cheese,” she says. “They took their herd from over 100 cows down to 30, reducing the pressure on the land and feeding during drought. They’ve been really successful, with their own label and now enjoy a long, comfortable future ahead of them.” After winning the NSW category for AgriFutures Australia’s Rural Women’s Award, Cressida’s vision has been put squarely on the map. “I firmly believe that a rising tide can lift all boats. I have such a passion for the dairy industry and I believe strongly there is room for so many more independent brands,” she says. “The Rural Women’s Award is an amazing and supportive program. To now be part of the alumni, who are an incredible bunch of capable, intelligent women, so collaborative and supportive of each other, is an absolute honour.” l

MAR - APR 2021

THE FARMER

The wild dog battle The extension of the NSW Border Wild Dog Fence east to near Mungindi and south to the Murray River seeks to tip the scales back towards hard-pressed sheep and goat producers.

–

Words DARREN BAGULEY

THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

ENVIRONMENT WILD DOG FENCE

PUSHING FARMERS OUT

One of the consequences of wild dogs in Western NSW is that livestock losses have pushed sheep producers into other industries such as cattle, or out of farming altogether.

onstruction of the first section of the 742km extension of the Wild Dog Fence – a 15-kilometre priority pilot site near Hungerford on the Queensland border – has been completed in the hope that the finished fence will save farmers millions of dollars and incalculable stress. Once the extension is completed, the dog fence will double in length to 1325km. This will make it the longest wild dog fence in the world. Construction commenced in September and the Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW, Adam Marshall, said the fence played a vital role in mitigating the impacts of wild dogs, and was critically important to western NSW and the entire state. Each year in NSW, wild dogs cause more than $22 million in damages and lost production to primary producers and local communities. “The fence will help to stimulate local and regional economies that have been devastated by the impacts of the drought and COVID-19, with around 85 jobs expected to be created,” Adam says. With $3.4 million allocated in the 2019-20 NSW Budget, construction of the fence seems to be living up to government expectations so far. All the materials for the Hungerford pilot site were sourced from a business in Bourke, while the construction company engaged to build the extension employed Aboriginal contractors from Enngonia. Further construction of the Dog Fence will see the extension continue a further 420km east from Hungerford to Mungindi, a town straddling the NSW-Queensland border. Heading south from Cameron Corner where the borders of NSW, Queensland and South Australia meet, the existing barrier heads west into South Australia at Broughams Gate just north of Morphett Creek. The southern leg of the extension will continue the dog fence a further 322km south along the NSW-SA border until it stops just short of the Murray River. “On average, for every wild dog we kill with baiting, trapping or shooting in the Western Division, there’s at least two more that come into NSW from Queensland and South Australia,” Adam said in an interview with the ABC. One of the consequences of wild dogs in Western NSW is that losses have pushed sheep producers into other industries such as cattle, and in some cases have combined with other stresses such as drought to push families off the land completely. NSW Farmers Western Division Council chair Greg Rogers said the exclusion fence extension will be vital for wild dog management and will bring critical jobs to western NSW, which has a long road to economic recovery after years of drought and now COVID-19. “For graziers, every ewe, ram or lamb lost due to a wild dog attack is devastating, and so it is pleasing to see the $37.5 million investment made in the extension project,” Greg says.

“It will benefit local job markets, initially through a surge in design, planning and construction jobs, and then through ongoing roles tied to infrastructure maintenance – which is needed in the harsh conditions of western NSW.” UNDERSTANDING WILD DOGS

Greg says for the exclusion fencing to be fully effective, a multi-pronged strategy that includes identifying and eradicating wild dogs already in NSW must be followed. “As part of our wild dog exclusion strategy, NSW Farmers has worked to ensure tracking and tagging also play a role in minimising the wild dog population.” The Association also has a dedicated Wild Dog Coordinator – Bruce Duncan, who helps carry out this function, and a lot of work has gone into ensuring that his vital position is maintained. “Understanding the behaviours of wild dogs in western NSW through tracking and tagging will not only help identify where the attack risk is highest, it will build important data to help long term management and eradication across the state,” Greg says. The wild dog population is no longer just an issue for graziers running small ruminants. A parasite known as Neospora caninum, carried by dogs and foxes, means that wild dogs are increasingly becoming a problem for cattle producers as well. Callum Robinson, located at Ellersie near Bourke is a member of the NSW Farmers Western Division Council and the Wild Dog Fence Consultation Group, and he is upbeat about the extension. “In some areas out Wanaaring way people have had to stop running sheep,” Callum explains. “Around here people have had to spend a lot of money on cluster fencing to keep them out. Unfortunately, Queensland has just gone back to fencing properties instead of attacking the actual dog problem. So, with the increase in the dog population in New South Wales and Queensland, it'll give us a chance to be able to control dog numbers as well as other feral animals.” Callum is also hoping he may have a bit more time to do other things. “On top of the NSW Farmers’ work, I am also chair of our local pest group and we bait twice a year on top of LLS’s two aerial baitings. I can spend up to 10 hours a week on tele-conferences and meetings,” he says. “And if you have got a dog problem on your property, you can spend a lot of time trying to contain or fix the problem – checking traps, setting traps, checking cameras.” THE FENCE IS NO QUICK FIX

Callum knows that even when completed, the fence will be no silver bullet, and that landholders will still need to be vigilant. “If they say ‘oh well the problem is solved’ they will find they have no small livestock left,” he says. “We will still need to bait, trap, shoot and have cameras up > MAR - APR 2021

THE FARMER

ENVIRONMENT WILD DOG FENCE

to monitor, but it will stop inflow from Queensland, and it will stop dogs from New South Wales going into Queensland. The more barriers and the more help you can get in stopping their movement, the more chance you have got of baiting, trapping and shooting.” NSW Farmers Wild Dog Coordinator, Bruce Duncan, sounds a similar note of warning. “I saw a video clip of a bloke standing in a backyard full of water,” he says. “He is bucketing the water out into the next-door neighbour’s yard but there is only a mesh fence between them. That is a really good analogy for wild dogs and other vertebrate pests. Bruce believes that the fence will have significant benefits for the Western Division and all land holders due to the high numbers of dogs on the other side of the fence. “But landholders need to be aware that building a fence does not control or manage the vertebrate pests we have got inside of it,” he warns. “Wild dog coordination roles and ongoing support programs in that space are really critical. The fence will set a baseline to stop wild dogs and other pests coming through so we can really focus on managing the animals we have inside.” The government expects construction will be complete by 2022 and says that its commitment to locally source raw materials and labour will stimulate the local economies of border towns as construction progresses. Once the fence is completed, it will become the responsibility of the Border Fence Maintenance Board for ongoing maintenance needs. l

Keeping dogs at bay

IN THE WILD

Top to bottom: The wild dog fence is approximately 583km in length, and it will soon be extended by 742km; Pack of wild dogs on the prowl, and dogs feasting on a dead calf.

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“Of course there are plenty of dingoes in and around the Great Dividing Range,” says Ian Lowrey of WIREMAN fencing. Many property owners are finding they can provide reasonable protection against dingoes and feral dogs by converting their existing waist-high fencing into head-high fencing. This can be done with extensions to the existing star pickets which support rabbit netting, or similar, above the conventional hinge lock or other mesh arrangement. The extensions, either galvanised steel or recycled PVC, simply slide over the top of the picket without there being any need to remove or adjust the existing wire. This way the fence height is extended by 600mm or 2 feet, and the cost is much less than conventional exclusion fencing. To stop burrowing under the fence, a harpoon and buried lanyard arrangement can be used to hold down the bottom wire/s. The stainless steel wire of the lanyard is looped over the bottom wire and the two ends attached to a galvanised arrowhead. Then an applicator rod is used to drive the arrowhead into the ground. The weight of the undisturbed soil holds the arrowhead in place. This is only done at those locations where burrowing has previously taken place, and so is much less expensive than a conventional apron. Naturally the whole arrangement is effective against other undesirables, not just wild dogs. It simply makes sense to stop unwanted animals feeding in your place as a first step in reducing the amount of feed available to the total unwanted population.

THE FARMER

MAR - APR 2021

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