The Farmer May-June 2020

Life & business after the fires

Surge in buying livestock online

The home delivery boom

Plant-based proteins

Four farmers with stories to tell

COVID-19 is evolving trade

From the farm to the doorstep

New ways to feed the planet

–

–

–

M AY - J U N E 2 0 2 0 / $ 9. 9 5

Keeping Australia Fed

NSW farmers delivering the goods in unprecedented times

–

Newholland.com/au

THE GREAT RATE

COUNTDOWN

GREAT TRACTORS WITH GREAT RATES

HURRY BEFORE TIME RUNS OUT OFFER ENDS JUNE 30TH! New Holland is counting down to the end of the financial year with amazing ra t es ma t ched t o each o f our amazing t rac t or s. Bu y be f or e June 30 t h 2020 and lock in t he t rac t or y ou wan t a t a ra t e t ha t f i t s - f r om 0.99% o n t h e f lag s h i p T 9 all t h e w a y d o w n t o 0.4 4% o n t h e e v e r - p o pula r T4 workhorse. The clock is ticking, so talk to your New Holland dealer soon!

*Terms and conditions apply. Finance provided by CNH Industrial Capital Australia Pty Ltd to approved ABN business applicants and subject to credit approval. Finance rate subject to 30% deposit over 60 months and is only available only on the T4 (0.44% p.a.), T5 (0.55% p.a.), T6 (0.66% p.a.), T7 (0.77% p.a.), T8 (0.88% p.a.), and T9 (0.99% p.a.) Series Tractors delivered by 30 June 2020. GST is due month 4, monthly or annual repayments, deposit is a % of customer invoice price inclusive of GST. Contact your local New Holland Agriculture dealer for further information.

From the editor

THE MAGAZINE

O

PUBLISHER James Wells EDITOR Michelle Hespe DEPUTY EDITOR Gifford Lee ART DIREC TOR Ryan Vizcarra SUB-EDITOR Shane Cubis

–

EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES

Michelle Hespe Email: mhespe@intermedia.com.au 41 Bridge Road, Glebe NSW, 2037

–ADVERTISING

SALES DIRECTOR

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

–CONTRIBUTORS Andrew Coughlan Annabelle Cloros Beverley Hadgraft Darren Baguley David Rogers Debbie Buller Gifford Lee Ian Neubauer Joanna Treasure Justin Law Lisa Smyth Lucy Knight Michael Burt Michael Sheather

NSW FARMERS

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

Alicia Harrison - Membership Service Manager Annabel Johnson - Head of Policy & Advocacy Alexandra Bunton - Policy Director CONTAC T US

Level 4, 154 Pacific Highway, St Leonards, NSW 2065 PO Box 459, St Leonards, NSW 1590 Head Office: 02 9478 1000

–

MEMBER SERVICE CENTRE For membership, magazine subscriptions and mailing list enquiries: 1300 794 000

@ NSWFarmers

n March 28 this year, as the entire world was engulfed by COVID-19, a woman named Danielle Eskew launched a Facebook page called Bin Isolating Outing. As she was doing the right thing and staying indoors, she mentioned to a friend that taking the bin out was a big outing for her now. The friend laughed and dared her to dress up while she did the weekly chore. And so she did – slipping into a bright blue gown and becoming Elsa from Frozen.

Although admitting to feeling nervous, Danielle stuck to her guns and strutted down her driveway to the kerb. She then posted the photos, encouraging others to find some fun and have a laugh, despite the tough situation we are all facing. Within a week the post had gone viral and by time this magazine is in your hands, those numbers will no doubt have soared past the million mark. People from all over Australia launched themselves into it and the world is now joining in – loving the fact that Aussies are having a good old laugh at themselves during an unprecedented time that is affecting everyone in some way.

There are so many amusing shots and videos posted by families from regional, rural and Outback Australia.

However it’s not just the posts, smiles and laughs that these snippets of people’s lives are revealing – it’s the rise of kindness and the sense of communities bonding together that has become apparent. People are lifting up others in times of need. For those feeling isolated, it’s reassuring to know that this pandemic has brought out a

fresh sense of community that is stretching its way around the world. It’s that feeling that we are all in this together.

So if you are feeling as though times are challenging, make a nice cuppa or pour yourself a cold one and watch Aussies from all over the country cracking themselves up over their bin outing efforts. Or better still, dress up, head down that driveway or across the paddock yourself, and then come back for a good read of this issue of The Farmer. Learn how our wonderful farmers in NSW are coping in a COVID-19 world and how they are striving to produce the local food we need. We hope you enjoy reading the many stories here, as much as we’ve loved putting them together for you.

MICHELLE HESPE

Editor mhespe@intermedia.com.au

THE INTERMEDIA GROUP

MANAGING DIREC TOR Simon Grover GM OF OPERATIONS Chris Baker FINANCE MANAGER Mina Vranistas PRODUC TION MANAGER Jacqui Cooper HEAD OF DIGITAL 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. @2020.

All rights reserved. Printed by IVE Group. Getty Images were used throughout the magazine.

N SW FA R M E R S

XXXX XXXXXX

XXXX XXXXXX

XXXX XXXXXX

XXXX XXXXXX

Xxxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxx

Xxxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxx

Xxxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxx

Xxxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxx

–

–

–

–

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.

GROWING THE BEST

M AY - J U N 2 0 2 0 / $ 9. 9 5

ISSUE 22

Photo by: Kirillm

M AY - J U N 2 0 2 0

Keeping Australia Fed

NSW farmers delivering the goods in unprecedented times

DISCLAIMER: This publication is published by The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd (the “Publisher”). Materials in this publication have been created by a variety of different entities and, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher accepts no liability for materials created by others. All materials should be considered protected by New Zealand and international intellectual property laws. Unless you are authorised by law or the copyright owner to do so, you may not copy any of the materials. The mention of a product or service, person or company in this publication does not indicate the Publisher’s endorsement. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Publisher, its agents, company officers or employees. Any use of the information contained in this publication is at the sole risk of the person using that information. The user should make independent enquiries as to the accuracy of the information before relying on that information.

All express or implied terms, conditions, warranties, statements, assurances and representations in relation to the Publisher, its publications and its services are expressly excluded. To the extent permitted by law, the Publisher will not be liable for any damages including special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages (including but not limited to economic loss or loss of profit or revenue or loss of opportunity) or indirect loss or damage of any kind arising in contract, tort or otherwise, even if advised of the possibility of such loss of profits or damages. While we use our best endeavours to ensure accuracy of the materials we create, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher excludes all liability for loss resulting from any inaccuracies or false or misleading statements that may appear in this publication.

Copyright © 2020 – The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

3

Long-term partners WFI and NSW Farmers hosted a special International Women’s Day morning tea to celebrate women in agriculture.

To celebrate International Women’s Day, WFI insurance and NSW Farmers joined forces to host a free morning tea in Armidale celebrating local women in agriculture.

The morning tea involved a special presentation by Kemi Nekvapil, an ICF (International Coaching Federation) Credentialed executive and personal coach with more than 25 years’ experience in the wellness industry.

As part of her vast experience, Kemi has studied leadership and purpose at The Gross National Happiness Centre in Bhutan and is a trained yoga teacher.

Attendees at the event were able to enjoy a 90-minute workshop with Kemi, which helped them understand their own personal power and resilience.

WFI State Leader (ACT/NSW) Marnie Te Aho said:

We had a fantastic turnout to the event, and we were proud to co-host this special occasion with NSW Farmers.

About WFI

“We have a proud and long partnership with NSW Farmers and it was incredible to be able to turn our focus on women on this occasion and the amazing contribution women make to farming in Australia.”

Among the attendees at the event was Mary Hollingworth, a 2019 Hidden Treasure recipient. The Hidden Treasure honour role is dedicated to women who devote their time to improving their local communities in a myriad of ways. The recognition was launched by Hon Adam Marshall MP in November 2019.

Mary said:

I just wanted to express my gratitude for the most incredible International Women’s Day presentation ever.

“Kemi was simply sensational and I for one felt enormously privileged to be part of the presentation. While the generosity of gifts, catering and hospitality was almost humbling – always pay my way so today was an amazing treat.

Be assured I am extremely grateful and know it will be a long time if ever that a similar presentation comes my way.”

To round off the event, Lucy Gallagher, a local farmer and registered nurse from Tamworth shared her personal story of her experiences during the drought, her viral Facebook post landed her on ‘The Project’ on Channel Ten last year.

Lucy said:

What an inspiring day!

“Kemi challenged us to see ourselves from a more positive perspective and to identify what we really value, and I know I’ll build on that from here on in. I found the day to be the perfect mix of inspiring discussion with incredible women in a beautiful venue with delicious food, and I am so honoured to have been a part of it.

Thanks, so much to WFI and NSW Farmers for hosting such a wonderful event!”

The morning wrapped up with a book signing and photo opportunity with Kemi and networking with all of those in the room.

Photographer: Simon Scott Photo Venue: Echidna Gully, Argyle

WFI has been insuring Australians since 1919. It is a leading rural, business and strata insurer with more than 150 local area managers situated across Australia. For more than 100 years, WFI has been there for its clients, providing support and assistance when they’ve needed it the most. For more information visit www.wfi.com.au To see if our policies are right for you, please read a Product Disclosure Statement by issuer Insurance Australia Limited ABN 11 000 016 722 AFSL 227681 trading as WFI.

PROUD PARTNERS

Contents EDITOR’S LETTER � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 3

TRADE

THE BIG PICTURE

ENVIRONMENT

Back from the brink of bushfire � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 6

THE MUSTER

CLICK ON IT

THE BEE’S KNEES

Buying livestock during COVID-19 � � � � � � � � 44

Pollination services assured � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

THE BIG 2050

NEWS AND VIEWS

More detector dogs needed; bushfire relief; water reforms; jobs for land rehab; free Telstra Virtual Meeting Room service; COVID-19 Q&A; women in agriculture honoured; boom in coffee production; koala policy; winter seed singulation � � � � � 16

Is the Australian red meat industry on track to be carbon neutral by 2050? � � � � � �

48

The 75-year journey of one farming family from Young � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 82

TOOLS FROM WHENCE WE CAME

ON MY SOAPBOX 54

THE SALEYARDS

THE BIG ISSUE

COMMUNITY NEW GENERATION: THE POLLARDS

Aussie inventions from the past � � � � � � � � � � � �

The tools of the trade � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

More water for rice growers � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

90

SUBSCRIBE TO THE FARMER 59

COVID -19: HOW WE ARE FARING

How Coronavirus has affected six of our biggest industries � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

78

Become a part of our community � � � � � � � � �

92

TEAM PLAYER 30

A profile on Joanna Treasure � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

TREND

93

BUSH TELEGRAPH

Social notes from members � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

THE TOUGH STUFF

Meat snack production booms � � � � � � � � � � � � �

INNOVATION

THE TAIL END

Ever tried green ant in your gin? � � � � � � � � � � SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE

The rise in plant-based proteins � � � � � � � � � � � �

95

60

38

98

BUSINESS COASTING ALONG

Eastcoast Beverages � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

64

WHO WILL PICK THE FRUIT?

Labour shortages create issues � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

68

HOME FOOD DELIVERY

COVID-19 ramps up the industry � � � � � � � � � �

72

GAINING GROUND

Cobargo dairy farmer Tony Allen is rebuilding after bushfire tore through his paddocks, pastures and fencing. Pages 10-11

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

5

The big picture

After the Fires The 2019-20 bushfires affected huge swathes of the farming sector. And there’s no simple answer to what happens next.

–

Words MICHAEL BURT AND LUCY KNIGHT Photography DAVID ROGERS

T

he bushfire disaster that engulfed much of eastern NSW seems a distant memory in a world captured by the impact of the coronavirus.

But for thousands of farmers in the Northern Rivers, South Coast, New England, Riverina and Southern Highlands regions, the impact of the disaster is still front of mind as they rebuild and play a vital role in the supply of food.

It’s tempting to simply say there have been fires before.

But the sheer scale of the 2019-20 bushfires has obliterated any such thoughts. An area more than three times the size of the Netherlands burnt across Australia, over 80,000 livestock and an estimated one billion native animals perished, 3000 homes were destroyed and 34 people lost their lives.

“These fires burned almost five million hectares in NSW alone. The impact on our wildlife, vegetation and livelihoods was simply devastating,” says NSW Farmers President James Jackson. “Around 9000 farms in NSW were impacted. Many farmers lost pastures, fencing and stored forage and were in urgent need of fodder to help keep animals alive.

“The impact on horticultural operations and apiarists was extensive as well. Oyster farmers were not immune, with ash and sediment causing water quality issues.”

As the clean-up and recovery process continues, NSW Farmers is seeking a focus on the role of hazard reduction and public land management in a State Government inquiry and a Commonwealth royal commission.

James says farmers are observing and dealing with the realities of climate change firsthand, but this is not the only factor behind these unprecedented bushfires: “Improving fuel load management in national parks and other public lands, and further reforms to land management legislation must form part of the dialogue to aid longer-term bushfire management.” >

6

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

KNEE DEEP

Oyster farmers like Kel Henry from Wonboyn Rock Oysters were not immune to the bush fires, with ash and sediment causing water quality issues. The loss of sales during the coronavirus is now the latest in a string of hits to the industry.

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

7

THE BIG PICTURE

RO CKY ROAD

NSW Farmers Oyster Committee Chair Caroline Henry (pictured with husband Kel) says: “We are really bunkering down. Easter is normally a big selling season but we are going to lose those sales.

We are really looking forward to this period being behind us.”

Financial assistance is still available Special Disaster Grant: For eligible primary producers, up to $75,000 to help pay for immediate clean-up, reinstatement and repairs to infrastructure. Applications for grants close July 31, 2020.

Special Disaster Loans: Primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profits can apply for a Working Capital Loan up to $50,000 over five years or Bushfire Recovery Loans up to $500,000 over 10 years from the NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA).

Applications for loans close August 4, 2020.

Head to dpi.nsw.gov.au/ climate-and-emergencies/ bushfires for more information.

8

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

“It begs the question of whether public land managers and farmers should be better fire-lighters, rather than firefighters.”

– JAMES JACKSON NSW Farmers’ President

There have been a large number of inquiries and royal commissions since 1939. All have pointed to the importance of effective land management approaches in reducing the occurrence and severity of bushfires, including prescribed burns and other mechanisms for managing fuel load.

“Our members have lived experience of bushfires going back generations,” says James. “Farmers’ local understanding of bushfire risk and land management strategies on their own country must inform bushfire responses.

This is obviously also the case for

the land’s first custodians, who undertook cultural burning practices as a management tool.

It begs the question of whether public land managers and farmers should be better fire-lighters than firefighters. My answer would be yes.

“All public land agencies must undertake increased fire management activities. These include more regular and frequent hazard reduction burns over a wider area, installation of dams and water infrastructure on site, and establishment of more internal firebreaks.”

James also says NSW Farmers will be seeking a no-borders approach to bushfire management across all land tenures and types in regional NSW. Other recommendations from NSW Farmers include: • Ensure the development and implementation of any and all national parks and state forests’ bushfire plans be made in consultation with local RFS group captains and captains, neighbouring land holders and appropriate shires • Establish buffer zones at and within the boundary of all Crown lands and an accountable improvement in the levels of maintenance of strategic fire trails, including turning bays of at least 12-metres • Reintroduce sustainable grazing as a method of hazard reduction including within selected areas of national parks • Landholders who adjoin public land should be allowed to develop a firebreak on their own land up to 200-metres wide.

“We must also recognise the impact of NSW’s vegetation laws in permitting fuel loads to build to such dangerous levels on public and private land. That is why NSW Farmers is calling for further reforms to restrictive impact of certain land management laws in NSW, particularly regulations limiting farmers’ ability to control regrowth of invasive native species and to clear proper firebreaks on their own properties,” James says.

The oyster industry’s perfect storm

By LUCY KNIGHT

T

he combination of drought, fires and now coronavirus has dealt a devastating blow to the South Coast oyster industry, with 2020 already a year producers are eager to put behind them.

A week of raging fires in early January completely burnt the 300-kilometre catchment area which oyster farmers Caroline and Kel Henry depend on for their business at Wonboyn Lake, near the Victorian border.

Caroline, who chairs the NSW Farmers Oyster Committee, says the smoke and ashen debris from the fires caused major water quality problems, compounding the production difficulties they were already facing from the drought-induced closure of their lake estuary.

Water quality alone affected close to 30 per cent of their production following the fires.

But the bushfires took a double toll on the Henrys and fellow oyster farmers because in the days to follow, tens of thousands of tourists fled the South Coast and the usual holiday trade was simply not there. Logistics routes were also cut and getting oysters to restaurants and consumers outside the area was impossible.

“We lost all sales for the first three weeks of January,” Caroline says. “As soon as we could get them out the markets took our oysters, but we still had a massive load of debris and ash affecting the lake’s water quality.”

In the weeks after the fire Caroline worked tirelessly to convince their local council to force open the estuary

(normally open 97 per cent of the time) to wash out the debris. It meant changing the usual environmental triggers for estuary management, but was absolutely essential, Caroline says, because the ash and debris would have no chance of escaping once it rained and further production would be ruined.

“We had to explain this was not the norm and the lake needed help,” Caroline says.

“Thankfully it opened before we had big rain at the end of January.”

Just as they were getting back on their feet, the impact of coronavirus has all but closed the trade again. No restaurants are open, which means they virtually have no sales.

The Henrys have significantly expanded their enterprise in the past three years, taking on new leases to grow production, selling more than 40,000 dozen oysters last year.

For now they are focused on farm maintenance and maintaining production for when markets reopen.

“We are really bunkering down. Easter is normally a big selling season but we are going to lose those sales. We are really looking forward to this period being behind us.”

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

9

THE BIG PICTURE

Beefing up after the firestorm

By MICHAEL BURT

S

ix sheds. 17km of boundary fences. Two harvesters. 80 head of cattle. One tractor. $11,000 per week in fodder.

That is just a few of the raw figures from the bushfire impact on David and Carolyn Duff’s two farms at Toorooka, west of Kempsey.

The fourth-generation farmers experienced a firestorm on November 8 last year that truly tested their resilience after two years of drought, but tenacity has prevailed and the rebuilding phase is in full swing.

Blessings of rainfall in recent months have helped their cause, with healthy pastures replacing the need to buy in fodder and winter cropping preparations underway.

“We are moving forward and having green grass is certainly helping, but we have so many balls up in the air in terms of rebuilding everything and basically starting again,” Carolyn says. “We’re dealing with local machinery dealers, fencing contractors, insurance companies, shed rebuilders and rural suppliers all at once.

All these local people have been great in supporting us and getting us what we need.

“All the sheds and the one house we lost have all been removed through the government’s clean-up program, which was a great help. We’ve bought a new header and field bins to

hopefully harvest a good soybean crop later this year.

“Ironically, rainfall has been holding up the fencing and it’s been too wet to plant forage crops. We’ve gone from drought to bushfires to floods and now Coronavirus.”

David and Carolyn describe the events of November 8 as “truly terrifying”. The couple were trapped at their Toorooka Station homestead, which they bravely fought to save as a firestorm engulfed the 1010ha beef enterprise.

“The noise, the speed of it, the ferocity – everything about it was unbelievable,” David says. “The devastation it caused did nearly break us and we really did not know if we had a future. But we went from hell to paradise in about six weeks after making the decision to rebuild. It seemed a daunting challenge and I was probably not willing to admit that at the time.

“Once we were able to stop feeding cattle, both of us were able to focus on rebuilding the business.”

Cattle welfare was the first priority and with some assistance from BlazeAid, the Duffs initially set up a containment paddock and ramped up their drought feeding program. Next came the replacement of boundary fences and more paddocks to rotate their 800 head of cattle.

Carolyn successfully applied for the Federal Government’s $75,000 bushfire recovery grant and did apply for a bushfire recovery loan.

“The recovery grant was helpful, but the recovery loan process has been frustrating and takes far too long,” she says.

“We’ve gone from drought to bushfires to floods and now Coronavirus.”

10

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

David and Carolyn Duff lost six sheds, 17km of boundary fences, two harvesters, 80 head of cattle and were feeding out $11,000 worth of fodder each week until rain fell in February.

South Coast paddocks spring back with hope

By LUCY KNIGHT

T

he countryside around Cobargo has turned from brown to black to brilliant green over the past six months, giving dairy farmers like Tony Allen some hope as they recover from the January bushfires.

The historic Cobargo township was severely hit by the fires which devastated the Bega Valley on the NSW Far South Coast on New Year’s Eve, and the region’s dairy farms didn’t escape the damage.

A fourth-generation dairy farmer, Tony owns Galba Holsteins with his wife Robyn and son Rocky, milking 180 cows year-round.

He says his family’s home, dairy shed and cattle were spared in the blaze but it tore through every paddock and destroyed all his pastures and fencing.

In the days which followed, power was out across the region and Tony and his son milked with a generator.

However roads were also cut and the Allens, like so many farmers in the area, had to “dump” milk for almost two weeks before tankers could access them again.

The months since that awful period have been consumed with the huge task of tearing down old fences and rebuilding new ones.

“When you have a dairy you have to get up and milk the cows every morning, no matter what, and after the fires we got up, milked the cows and started cleaning up,” he explains. “The damage here has been enormous in cost and time but you just have to get in and do what you can.”

FARMER FO CUS SED

Above: Tony Allen has been lobbying government representatives and agencies to make them aware of the help farmers need.

Above right: Tony Allen owns Galba Holsteins with his Robyn and son Rocky, milking 180 cows year-round.

Tony says thankfully pastures have since responded well to significant rainfall, with kikuyu grass now 30cm high, making the “moving on” task a little bit easier.

He says many dairy farmers in the region lost so much, including livestock and their homes, and the Allens have been lobbying government representatives and agencies, making them aware of the need for help.

“That fire will go down in history as the most ferocious and fast-spreading fire – it’s completely beyond comprehension and the devastation is hard to come to grips with,” Tony says. “We have

outlined schemes to the government which would help farmers rebuild their farms, their dairies, and their herds. A lot of money is needed to bring farms back to the way they were before the fires, and the government will need to do it if they want to keep families in this area.”

The Allens were among a number of dairy families to receive funds from a $1 million donation from the Perich Group to the NSW Farmers Natural Disaster Relief Fund.

Tony says it was a wonderful donation for which he was extremely grateful, adding the generosity of fellow farmers was “unbelievable”.

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

11

>

THE BIG PICTURE

Building Batlow back after the bushfires

By LUCY KNIGHT

S

corched apple trees are starting to shoot new leaves in the iconic Batlow region following the devastating January bushfires, but it will be years before farmers return to full production.

While a steady stream of politicians have poured into the region and promised assistance to orchardists, apple growers say they are still waiting for a comprehensive replanting package to drive rebuilding and recovery efforts.

Close to one third of the Batlow apple orchards were destroyed or severely charred by the fire which tore through the area on January 4, exacerbating an already difficult season beset by drought and an extremely hot, dry summer.

For grower Greg Mouat, the past four months have been a challenge as he deals with a 15-20 per cent drop in production due to the combined effect of the drought and the bushfire.

The fire on Greg’s property destroyed machinery sheds, tractors and other farm equipment, and damaged more than 2.5 hectares of trees.

He says it will be two years before scorched trees are back in full production, while trees to be replanted won’t be in production for five years: “It’s definitely a challenge. We are used to having knocks, that’s the nature of farming, but this has been a huge hit. Batlow will continue but we would recover faster with some assistance.”

Greg has been leading the charge for government funding to help replant the 270 hectares of Batlow apple trees affected by the fire – with replanting costs estimated to exceed $60 million at Batlow alone.

He says politicians have acknowledged Batlow growers need “a bespoke solution” to rebuilding their industry after the fire.

“It is all well and good for them to say that but at the end of the day we need action,” Greg says. “Do they want a town which relies almost solely on the apple industry to wither and die, or will they help us thrive and survive?”

While the Federal Government will not comment specifically on the design of any assistance packages for particular industries, Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud says the government had made an initial $2 billion commitment to bushfire recovery with $75,000 grants for primary producers whose property had been damaged by the fires: “The Federal Government is working with industries and communities across all states to ensure the recovery is targeted as locally as possible.”

12

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

BATLOW BATTLING

Above: Batlow apple grower Greg Mouat says he’s already suffered a 15-20 per cent drop in production due to the combined effect of the drought and the bushfire.

AFTER THE FIRES: THE STATS

2,500

homes lost

13,812

head of livestock euthanised or confirmed deceased

4.5

More than million hectares of farmland and forest burned (larger than the size of Netherlands)

13,200

tonnes of donated fodder distributed through DPI/LLS distribution points

9,809

beehives destroyed; 433 tonnes of sugar provided to apiarists

964

primary producers have received the $75,000 recovery grant

348

applications for Working Capital Loans

67

applications for the Bushfire Recovery Loans

Telstra is continuing to keep country communities connected Keeping rural communities around Australia updated on Telstra’s ongoing response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is very important to us. While the health crisis is front of mind, we want to reassure everyone in the country that we also recognise many people are still recovering from devastating bushfires, and are dealing with prolonged drought.

Telstra will continue to help Australian farmers and farming communities overcome these challenges at the same time as we take the following actions in relation to COVID-19: TELSTRA NETWORK CAPACITY IS READY TO MANAGE DEMAND

Telstra’s resilient networks are designed to manage surges in demand. We are confident we can manage significant increase in network traffic as a result of people being at home, although speeds may sometimes be slower than usual. Plans are in place for all our operations and if necessary, we can also prioritise critical communications such as those related to emergency services.

MORE DATA FOR CUSTOMERS AND UNLIMITED HOME PHONE CALLS FOR PENSIONERS

From now until 30 June 2020, Telstra consumer and small business customers will be given additional data and pensioners with a Telstra home phone plan will get unlimited home phone calls, all at no extra charge. Consumer and small business home broadband

customers automatically receive unlimited data, and post-paid consumer and small business mobile customers (handheld and mobile broadband) can receive an extra 25GB of data on their plan to use in Australia by applying via our My Telstra app until 30 June 2020.

The data will be available within 48 hours.

SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESS THROUGH COVID-19

We’re helping small business in a number of ways. These include pausing all late payment fees and disconnections for non-payment, half-price access to our Digital Marketing Services website plans for three months, and discounts on Telstra mobile worksuite and all mobile broadband plans.

DELAYS GETTING IN TOUCH WITH US

Our Australian call centres remain open. However, with fewer people

answering calls there are significant wait times. We understand how frustrating this is. We’re doing everything we can to find alternative solutions to improve things.

SAVE TIME AND SELF-SERVE WHERE POSSIBLE

We are encouraging customers to make use of the self-service tools available on the latest My Telstra app for iOS and Android. This allows customers to save time when checking account information, querying and paying bills, applying for a payment extension and changing plans.

OTHER SUPPORT MEASURES

Telstra is taking measures to support our customers by recruiting 3,500 more call centre contractors in Australia, allocating $500 million to increase network capacity, and offering bill relief for small business and consumer customers.

For more information about Telstra’s support activities please visit Telstra Exchange: exchange.telstra.com.au/coronavirus

THE BIG PICTURE

Community shows generous support

The support of Australians for farmers during and after the bushfires crisis was nothing short of inspiring.

Organisations like the Perich Group and the Goodman Foundation donated almost $2 million to the NSW Farmers Natural Disaster Relief Fund, BlazeAid assisted with fencing and everyday Australians provided support through groups like Rural Aid and Lions Need for Feed.

Rural Aid is one of Australia’s largest rural charities and is well known for the highly successful Buy a Bale campaign.

Rural Aid delivered more than 1100 tonnes of fodder valued at $356,000 to 137 farmers in NSW, almost $200,000 in direct financial assistance to 133 farmers and $65,500 in $500 pre-paid Visa cards to 131 farmers (up until March 27).

CEO John Warlters says they also delivered 532,000 litres of domestic water to fire-affected primary producers in NSW. “That support for farmers is ongoing,” Warlters explains. “As of March 31, 2020, Rural Aid was delivering approximately two to four truckloads of hay per week to fire-impacted primary producers and 17 or more truckloads of hay to drought-impacted primary producers across NSW, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.

“Rural Aid can only continue to assist primary producers, farmers and their communities through the charity’s various programs and initiatives thanks to the support and generosity of everyday Australians and corporate sponsors.”

If you are a primary producer or farmer and still require assistance, register at www.ruralaid.org.au.

Primary producers and farmers must be registered with Rural Aid to receive assistance.

The Need for Feed program, spearheaded by the Pakenham Lions Club in Victoria, also stepped up, delivering 170 truckloads of hay to farmers in NSW, while the Timboon Lions Club chipped in with 100 loads of hay. With the help of NSW Farmers’ local branches, farmers from Victoria also banded together to organise smaller fodder deliveries that provided critical support in the weeks following the fires.

14

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

Aboriginal cultural burning of Country

By DEN BARBER, CULTURAL FIRE PRACTITIONER

S

ince the devastating wildfires referred to as the ‘Black Summer’ of 2019-20 throughout eastern Australia, Aboriginal cultural burning practices have gained significant attention in local and international media. It is being considered as part of a suite of measures to address future threats of such wildfires being repeated. It is a practice that is currently being revived in this part of Australia after playing a major role in the lives of thousands of generations of Aboriginal people, protecting the very Country they occupied prior to European colonisation.

Cultural burning is also often referred to as ‘cool burning’ due to the fact that it is generally a much less intense fire that generates significantly less heat on the ground surface as well as upon the trunks, branches and canopy of parent trees.

This is achieved by introducing the right amount of fire through single ignition points that burn out in a 360-degree direction. The timing of the burns is in line with the cultural calendar and prescription for individual tree/vegetation ‘systems’, when prevailing weather conditions are suitable with regard to temperature, humidity and wind levels/direction. Cultural fires are certainly performed more frequently but much less intensely than, say, hazard-reduction burning or wildfires.

Protecting the canopy is an essential element of culturally burning Country as the canopy is considered as being sacred by Aboriginal people.

It is the leaves of the canopy that provide the shade for the shrub layer and native grasses that have a symbiotic relationship with those trees. The canopy also holds the fruit and flowers for seed production and a source of food for birds and other animals along with habitat for nests and tree hollows. The canopy is where all the life is and too often we see it completely destroyed by wildfires or

hazard-reduction burns through either direct fire or radiant heat.

Single ignition points that burn in a circular fashion allow native animals including insects, ants, lizards and ground-dwelling birds to move away from the cultural fire. Some larger animals such as kangaroos and wallabies move well away from the burn area into separate systems that will not be burnt by this fire. When observing a cultural burn moving out in a 360-degree direction, you will probably notice the movement of smaller creatures such as ants and insects that either retreat down into their nests in the ground or seek refuge by walking up the trunks of trees.

You may also notice birds interacting with the cultural burn by waiting on branches of the trees above the fire in anticipation of pouncing on easy prey as they move away from the fire circle. Iconic animals such as the koala are also under no threat from the lowintensity flames below.

In summary, Aboriginal Cultural Burning is a practice that was born out of a people who were and are still intrinsically connected to the land.

Thousands of generations of Aboriginal people lived on the land and interacted with it every day of their lives. It is only by being so present and connected to the land that such knowledge was acquired over generations of cultural practice that resulted in the pristine environment and Country that awaited the arrival of Europeans over the past 250 years.

In the forced removal of Aboriginal people from Country, along with the restrictions imposed on Aboriginal people practising their culture, the passing of many of our Aboriginal Elders has created many gaps in cultural knowledge. However, there is still enough knowledge that exists among the many Aboriginal groups that have survived to be shared so that Country may teach us all how to look after the land and therefore ourselves.

The Muster l AFRICAN SWINE FEVER

More detector dogs needed

l FOOD SECURITY THE KEY POINTS

More detection is required for:

The Department of Agriculture has been urged to strengthen the fight against the spread of African swine fever (ASF), which has recently been detected in Papua New Guinea.

Incoming mail In his independent report, centres Australia’s Inspector-General of Biosecurity Rob Delane made 13 recommendations to the Department regarding its management of the ASF risk to Australia, including the need to urgently expand the International detector dog program. travel ports NSW Farmers Pork Committee Chair Ean Pollard has welcomed the report’s recommendations but endorses its author’s view that more needs to be done.

“Undeclared pork items are still Anything arriving being brought into the country, so from ASF-affected all entry points to Australia need to countries be monitored and items need to be thoroughly inspected,” says Pollard.

“We know that detector dogs are highly effective in detecting biosecurity risk material, so it is important that they are utilised as much as possible. Biosecurity measures are critical now more than ever, with ASF in three of our neighbouring countries and Australia currently fighting a human health crisis created by COVID-19.”

Call for urgent water reforms NSW Farmers is calling for immediate changes to the Murray Darling Basin Plan so there is enhanced food security during Australia’s time of greatest need.

Backing calls from Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Water Minister Melinda Pavey, NSW Farmers says the Plan needs to be re-worked.

“While our food security is in a strong position thanks to farmers across NSW and the rest of the country, there are farmers in the Southern Basin who cannot grow food crops due to zero water allocation,” NSW Farmers President James Jackson said.

“Our position has always been that the Plan is having an unreasonable and unsustainable impact on the agriculture sector.”

James has also called on the NSW Government to push for a Royal Commission to investigate whether there is a better way of balancing food production with environmental outcomes.

“This has significantly impacted many industries such as rice, dairy, grains, horticulture, poultry and livestock.”

Over the last two years, due to the drought and water policy, Australian rice crops have accounted for less than a quarter of annual domestic consumption.

l BUSHFIRE RELIEF

Bushfire fencing package requires further funding NSW Farmers has welcomed the ‘Supporting our Neighbours’ announcement but says more is required to protect land now and in to the future.

The ‘Supporting our Neighbours’ project – part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 stimulus package – will see $209 million go to bushfire-affected farmers to rebuild their boundary fences. The Government will cover $5,000 per kilometre to rebuild affected fences that adjoin public land. However, total exclusion fencing costs double that per kilometre and that extra fee won’t be covered under plan.

NSW Farmers President James Jackson says the funds will significantly help but made calls to increase the package.

“With so many boundary fences burnt, wild dogs and other pests are able to travel across public and private lands and that is having a destructive impact on farmers’ productivity and livelihoods,” says James.

16

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

“The grants will go a long way towards covering standard fencing costs, however a standard post and wire fence will not stop dogs, kangaroos and feral cats. To protect farmland from predation now and into the future we urge the NSW Government to consider increasing the grant to $10,000 to cover the added costs for exclusion fencing.”

To apply for ‘Supporting Our Neighbours’ relief go to: www.lls.nsw.gov.au.

“The fires destroyed thousands of kilometres of fences, making it very challenging to contain livestock, exclude pests and effectively manage biosecurity risks.”

–

JAMES JACKSON NSW Farmers’ President

l JOB CREATION

FREE TELSTRA VIRTUAL MEETING ROOM

Call for stimulus package

NSW Farmers has joined a coalition of more than 70 farming, landcare, and conservation groups to propose a $4 billion economic stimulus package to create 24,000 jobs in in land rehabilitation.

THE KEY POINTS Under the proposal, which would be funded by both federal and state governments, landscapes and infrastructure damaged by funded by the recent drought and bushfires federal and state governments would be rehabilitated in part by people who had lost jobs as a result of the Coronavirus.

In a letter to the Prime jobs to repair Minister and state Premiers, the damaged land and coalition says investment in such a infrastructure program will deliver opportunities during the current crisis and leave enduring benefits for the future.

“The sector is ready to be amid the current part of the ‘bridge to recovery’ economic crisis and can take on an expanded workforce once social distancing measures are eased. During the period of economic recovery, there is scope for tens of thousands of skilled and unskilled workers to be employed in the conservation and land management sector,” the letter states.

$4 billion 24,000

A bridge to recovery

Telstra is offering a free Virtual Meeting Room service to Australian businesses until 30 June 2020. A Virtual Meeting Room lets organisations connect staff to each other, to their team, partners, and customers through video and audio conferencing.

Featuring international toll-free dialling to 30 countries, a Virtual Meeting Room is a cost-effective alternative to being there in person while still enjoying the benefits of a faceto-face meeting.

Take advantage of Telstra’s free offer of a Virtual Meeting Room for your business before 30 June 2020. Find out how by visiting: vmr.telstra.com.

FRUIT, MILK, AND BEER!

The Toormina Hotel on the NSW Mid North Coast is now selling grocery essentials like milk, fruit and vegetables alongside alcohol to support locals struggling to find items in supermarkets. Hotelier Carl Mower told The Farmer he plans to add a butchery and bakery soon too.

“We all need to help our immediate communities survive and I want to keep my valued staff.”

REAL. CUSTOM. SHEDS. We wouldn’t say one rural property is like another. The sheds we’ve built across the country, have certainly been different from one to the next. From housing hay and machinery, to your precious stable, we’ve custom built sheds for every need and purpose.

From Rochester to Rockhampton, we’ve seen everything this great land can throw at us and built systems that stand the test of time.

• Fully Welded Frame

• Concrete Panels Available

• Deal Direct with Manufacturer

• Many Sizes and Options

• Plans and Engineering So if you are looking for a shed or structure built tough and to suit your needs... Give Telfords a call today.

VICTORIA

NSW

QUEENSLAND

Shepparton (Head Office) (03) 5821 4399

Wollongong (02) 4229 8116

Yatala (07) 3804 6688

www.telfords.com.au

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

17

The Muster

Money matters Pertinent tax tips to help primary producers navigate the looming end of the financial year.

F

or many primary producers, Mother Nature has more than likely done their tax planning for them in terms of the protracted dry spell. But there may still be some instances where planning will be required for the 2019-20 financial year.

These may include: • 2018-19 commodity positions which have been carried forward to the current financial year, particularly cotton.

• Deferred livestock profits from prior years.

• Farm Management Deposits (FMD) withdrawn in the current financial year.

In general terms, tax planning really comes down to two courses of action – deferral of income or bringing forward/ acceleration of expenses.

EXPENSES

Some of the following actions are contingent on the business being a Small Business Entity (SBE), which is a business with an annual turnover of less than $10 million. The premise around tax planning and expenses is being able to increase, accelerate or bring forward costs to reduce taxable income.

PREPAYMENTS (SBE)

Expenses such as interest, farming inputs and insurance for the 2020-21 year can be prepaid prior to June 30 and a full deduction claimed in this financial year subject to the service/goods being utilised before June 30, 2021.

EXPENSES GENERALLY

INCOME DEFERRAL

This deals with delaying or managing income from sources such as livestock, grain and cotton into the next financial year, either by physically delaying the sale until after June 30 or placing commodity into bona fide marketing pools which become assessable when paid. Where livestock sales have been forced due to drought during this financial year, profits can be deferred into future income years using long-standing tax provisions.

18

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

Rearranging the timing of expenses that may be occurring early in the next financial year to fall into the current financial year will also allow for deductions to be claimed in this year.

ACCELERATED DEPRECIATION (RECENT ANNOUNCEMENTS)

As part of the announced COVID19 stimulus package, businesses with a turnover of less than $500 milion can obtain an immediate write-off for

depreciable assets up to a value of $150,000 (up to June 30, 2020). Further: • If the business’ turnover is less than $10 million, this write-off applies to assets purchased after May 12, 2015 (but have been first used or installed between March 12, 2020 and June 30, 2020), and • If the business’ turnover exceeds $10 million, this write-off only applies to assets purchased after April 2, 2019 (and installed or first used between March 12, 2020 and June 30, 2020).

In addition, if a business’ existing small business asset pool is less than $150,000 it can also be written off in this year. Also for new assets that do not meet the immediate write-off condition (because they cost more than $150,000), an upfront 50 per cent write-off is available in the financial year of purchase (post March 12, 2020).

This measure remains in place until June 30, 2021.

FODDER STORAGE, FENCING AND WATER INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS

As in previous financial years, these costs remain 100 per cent deductible in the financial year the cost is incurred.

FARM MANAGEMENT DEPOSITS

This scheme still remains in place, whereby a deduction can be claimed in the year the deposits are made (subject to some income conditions) up to a total amount per individual of $800,000.

After such a difficult period in agriculture, when funding has been challenged, tax planning will more than likely focus on those actions that have less financial impact, such as: • Deferring the timing of income generally.

• Utilising the forced livestock profit deferral.

• Pursuing eligibility for the write-off of existing depreciation pools under $150,000.

Always review your tax position every year before June 30 to confirm what, if any, actions are needed.

By Mark Johnson, Partner at C & W Financial Services www.candw.com.au

The Muster l ABARES REP ORT

Farmers provide food security blanket A new ABARES report has affirmed Australia’s credentials as one of the world’s most food secure nations, with our farmers producing substantially more food than Australians consume, even during drought years.

F

armers deserve a virtual pat on the back for leading the charge in making Australia one of the most food secure nations in the world.

The latest Insights report by the Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics and Science (ABARES) reveals that almost 89% of the food Australians enjoy is grown in Australia. Only 11% is imported, 1.6% of that is fresh produce and the remainder, non-perishable goods.

“Farmers in NSW have been doing a supreme job in recovering from drought and bushfires and producing as much fresh food as possible,” NSW Farmers President James Jackson said.

“There are also lots of other people in the food supply chain that also need thanking for our food security – the fruit pickers, truck drivers, mechanics, rural suppliers, food processors and many others.”

The ABARES report states the trigger for empty supermarket shelves with some basic food items was a sudden increase in consumer purchases and “not an indication of food shortages”.

“Rather, it is a result of logistics taking time to adapt to the large unexpected surge in purchasing,” the report states.

“Importantly, ABARES is forecasting that grain production is likely to return close to average levels. That is good news for the production of many essential food items such as bread and pasta,” Mr Jackson said.

For livestock producers, ABARES says improved seasonal conditions is providing an opportunity to rebuild stock numbers following a long period of drought-induced destocking.

“While our food security is in a strong position thanks to farmers across NSW and the rest of the country, there are farmers in the Southern Basin who cannot grow food crops due to zero water allocation.”

“That’s why we are calling for urgent reforms to the Murray Darling Basin Plan. The right changes will put Australia in the pole position when it comes to global food security.”

“As Australians we have to value Australian Made and grown. Not only does Australian product guarantee superior product, it also guarantees food security.”

The Ricegrowers Association of Australia (RGA) said the ABARES report does give false comfort on COVID-19 risks to local and international rice supplies.

“The report fails to draw on the most recent international developments affecting global rice stocks and trade in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and fails to recognise the impacts of water policy reform and drought in driving down Australian rice production in 2019 and 2020,” said RGA President Robert Massina.

“Due to water policy and drought, the Australian rice harvests of the last two years represent less than 25 per cent of annual Australian consumption.”

Imported products account for only 11% of expenditure on food and beverages

88.9% Domestic food and beverages

9.6%

Imported processed food and beverages

1.6%

Imported fresh food and beverages Notes: Statistics based on the three year average 2016 to 2019 for imports of processed and fresh (primary) food and beverages, as a share of total food and beverage consumption (including tobacco and alcohol by value). Does not include takeaway and restaurant meals. Source: ABS 2019, 2020a.

MAY - JUNE 2020 THE FARMER

19

The Muster l SPECIAL EVENTS

Women in Agriculture honoured NSW Farmers stepped up for International Women’s Day 2020 with a special event in Armidale and a celebration of women in Agriculture Science in Sydney.

T

o celebrate International Women’s Day, on March 10 2020, the NSW Farmers’ Association teamed up with insurance company WFI to deliver an uplifting, free morning tea for women in agriculture.

Personal coach and renowned speaker and author, Kemi Nekvapil headlined the event that was held at Armidale’s Echidna Gully Function Centre.

Charismatic, whip-smart, informed and entertaining, Kemi is a regular media commentator on women’s wellbeing and empowerment, and to much laughter, smiles and applause, she shared colourful stories of her life with everyone present.

Being a mother of two, an athlete who has run 42 separate 100km races, a hiker and a passionate gardener, Kemi is a huge source of inspiration to many. Having also presented at various rural community events around Australia, Kemi also understands the many challenges faced by people living and working in regional communities.

Kemi’s popular two-hour

workshops bring people together, helping to support and nurture community spirit, especially when times are tough and people need something to spur them on. She exuberantly recognises and celebrates individuals in her audiences, showcasing their proudest moments while focussing on personal power and strength.

In the same week, NSW Farmers also celebrated Women in Agricultural Science as part of NSW Women’s Week 2020 in Sydney, at the stunning Queen Victoria Building’s Tea Rooms.

The event was co-funded by the NSW government and NSW Farmers, and featured dedicated networking sessions for women in agriculture, early-career professionals and students. Women doing amazing work in a range of sectors were present to inspire and promote the diverse career opportunities in the wonderful field of agriculture science.

The line-up of highly regarded speakers were: Danica Leys, CWA of NSW CEO (MC), Rachel Carson

from BASF, Alexandra Bunton from NSW Farmers and Dr Sonia Liu from the University of Sydney.

All of the guests in attendance commented that they met someone new and learned something new on the evening and so more events like this are being planned for the future.

In the words of the great English writer and poet, Thomas Hardy: “The perfect woman, you see is a working woman; not an idler; not a fine lady; but one who uses her hands and her head and her heart for the good of others.

There is no force more powerful than a woman determined to rise. A strong woman builds her own world.”

The NSW Farmers’ Association is very proud of the fact that women make up more than two thirds of the NSW Farmers team, including key management roles in policy, workplace relations, and communications and regional and finance staff.

COMMUNITY SPIRIT

Above left: (left to right): Michele James – Distribution Specialist, and Gail Paulse – Area Manager. Central Image: (left to right): Marnie Te Aho – NSW/ACT Distribution Manager, Kent Hannam – Manager, Strategic Alliances, Partnerships & Developments, and Jessica Harris – Specialist, Distribution Partner. Above right: Leadership coach Kemi Nekvapil.

20

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

CELEBRATING DIVERSITY

Clockwise from main photo: (left-right) Anna-Kate McDonald, David Banham, Cassandra Low, Alexandra Bunton, Kellie Redman, Renee Austin, Jennifer Shillabeer, Sonia Liu, Charlotte Groves, Danica Leys and Rachel Carson; Danica Leys, CWA of NSW; (left-right) Sarah Stedman, Katy Armson-Graham, Clare Kerr, Elizabeth O’Dwyer; Sonia Liu, University of Sydney

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

21

The Muster

I

n every business cycle, there are winners and losers. One of the most visible losers in the current economic downturn are the cafés and coffee shops that were forced to close in March along with other non-essential businesses to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The sector was projected to generate $5 billion this year and provide 96,000 jobs, according to Statista.

Now, most cafés are shut and most café workers are unemployed.

But even as global coffee consumption forecasts are revised downwards by traders, Australia’s 50-odd commercial coffee growers, around half of which are found on NSW’s North Coast, find themselves in a fortuitous position because they do not generally sell to cafés.

“Australian coffee is a boutique organic product. We sell ours at a premium for about $15-$20 a kilogram,” says Jos Webber of Kahawa Estate Coffee in the Ballina Shire. “But roasters in Australia import their coffee from countries like Brazil and Vietnam for $4-$5 a kilogram.”

Australian coffee farmers tend to process and package their produce on-site and sell directly to the consumer. “I would say 75 per cent of coffee production in Australia is roasted by growers and sold online directly to home consumers.

The rest is exported as green coffee beans to top-end roasters in Scandinavia, Europe and Japan,” says Rebecca Zentveld, president of the Australian Subtropical Coffee Association and owner of Zentveld’s Coffee Plantation and Roastery, a 20-hectare property in the hinterlands of Byron Bay. It’s too early to tell if anti-coronavirus lockdowns and regulations in other countries will disrupt global trade and put a dent on Australian coffee exports. But the sector’s primary income stream – online sales – is curving upwards.

“People who are forced to work at home are drinking a lot more coffee,” explains Drew McGovern of North Creek Coffee, a roaster and wholesaler in Ballina. “My clients are telling me that before they would make themselves one coffee before heading off to work. But now they have a mid-morning coffee, another one at lunch and more in the afternoon.”

l TRADE

Australian Coffee Production set for a Double Shot With everyone working from home, local producers are seeing an uptick in demand.

Words BY IAN NEUBAUER

Coffee in Australia 1788

1832

1870s

1880s

1910s

1930s

According to the National Geographic, coffee came to Australia on the first fleet.

It was first found planted on the shores of Kangaroo Point in Brisbane.

Drinking it became de rigueur due to the rise of Parisian-styled coffee shops and the Temperance Movement.

Plantations were established in northern NSW and QLD which quickly led to global recognition and awards.

Growing ceases owing to a labour shortage, climate challenges and shipping problems during WW1.

Coffee culture changes forever with the arrival of migrants from Europe who introduce ‘espresso’ to our vernacular.

22

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

DAILY D O SE

Above: People may not be buying as much coffee in cafés, but Jos Webber of Kahawa Estate Coffee says their online sales doubled in the first few weeks of the crisis due to online orders for consumption at home.

Webber of Kahawa Estate Coffee concurs: “If people are working from home they cannot get to their coffee shops, but they can still order really good coffee online. That has been a great benefit to us. In the first two weeks of the crisis, our sales almost doubled. I’ve spoken to other growers who are saying the same thing. There’s definitely a trend appearing.”

Disruptions in global trade could also lead to a severe coffee shortage in Australia. Only 600 tonnes of green beans are produced annually between Noosa and Coffs Harbour, while 80,000 tonnes were imported last year. To put it into perspective, the coffee beans this country grows in a year is about the same that is consumed in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane every day, according to the Good Food Guide.

“The crucial time will come in about a year, and a lot of that will depend on what happens in Brazil,” explains Webber. “They’re the biggest exporter of coffee in the world but the president there has dismissed the coronavirus and is going around shaking hands. So we don’t know what will happen.”

If there is a shortfall in imports, Australian growers could not possibly

1940s

1960s & 70s

1980s

1985

A coffee revolution unfolds as locals are influenced by the tastes of American servicemen stationed here.

The coffee drinking scene grows steadily.

Mechanical harvesting techniques make production more feasible and plantations are re-established.

Aussie barista Alan Preston coins the term ‘flat white’.

meet demand. Yet that is not to say there isn’t room for new growers.

Webber describes the opportunities as “open-ended” while Zentveld says there is huge untapped demand for locally grown coffee. “With two years of drought, then the bushfires and floods, consumers have really become aware of the importance of supporting Australian produce, especially if it’s organic,” she says. “And practically all Australian coffee is organic.”

But to capture even one per cent of the café market, Australia farmers need to grow new varietals. The predominant varietal, K7 from Kenya, is tolerant to coffee leaf rust and coffee berry disease, and thrives in Australian subtropical regions. But it is not the ideal bean for making a flat white or cappuccino at your favourite coffee shop.

“K7 has a very strong flavour profile and is really well suited to filter, press and stovetop coffees,” says McGovern. “But it can be a little bit ‘fickle’ for espresso machines and when you dark roast it, it starts to present more bitter notes.”

The growers association is two years into a five-year R&D project to test how different varietals of coffee trees might grow on Australian soil – part of a global initiative involving 23 countries coordinated by the World Coffee Research, a British non-profit group.

“There is a real need for new varietals so we are doing research on 26 varietals of coffee,” Zentveld says.

“Our entire purpose now is about getting more varietals in the ground that are even more specifiable to disease. We already have farmers and investors asking us when the new strains will be ready.

“As soon as we can give them an answer, I think coffee production will double.”

1990s & 2000s Cafés pop up like wildfire across both cities and towns as coffee becomes firmly entrenched in our daily lives.

MAY - JUNE 2020

Today Australia’s coffee culture is one of the most sophisticated and well-respected in the world.

THE FARMER

23

The Muster

A l PLANNING P OLICY

Farmers bear brunt of new koala policy Farmers are happy to support the protection of koala populations, but NSW Farmers says a new State Environment Planning Policy (SEPP) has the potential to restrict routine farming operations while providing little benefit to koala conservation efforts

–

Words MICHAEL BURT

24

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

ndrew Mullins’ family has been farming near Narrabri for five generations. To his knowledge there’s never been a single sighting of koalas on the family property called Ringwood.

Andrew was shocked when he discovered potential koala habitat had been mapped over his cultivation paddocks, fruit trees, sheds and his home following the introduction of a new state environmental planning policy (SEPP).

“I initially thought no koalas on my place, no problem, but I thought I’d check the maps out of interest anyway and was devastated with what I found,” Andrew said.

“The problem I have discovered is that the Koala SEPP identifies a whole lot of vegetated land on the pink ‘Development Application’ map. If your land is on this map and you need development consent for a new shed or something, you will need to either do an expensive year-long survey on your land to prove there are no koalas, or else council will just assume there are koalas there and impose development consent conditions.

“If your land is on the blue ‘Site Investigation’ map, council may make a Koala Plan of Management that declares that the land is ‘Core Koala Habitat’, even if there are no koalas on the land. All the land under a Koala Plan of Management will automatically also be on the ‘Native Vegetation Regulatory’ map as ‘Category 2 Sensitive Land’. I would not be able to spray fallow, clear regrowth, or cultivate.”

The purpose of the new Koala SEPP is to manage the impacts of peri-urban development on koala habitat through council’s Koala Plans of Management (KPOMs). However, because land identified as koala habitat in a KPOM is also

excluded from the application of the Land Management (Native Vegetation) Code, the new Koala SEPP could have far reaching consequences for farming in NSW. The Koala SEPP has similar implications for Private Native Forestry (PNF), due to the interaction between koala habitat identified in a KPOM and the application of the PNF Code of Practice.

“The operation of the Koala SEPP will place significant further unreasonable limits on farming practices, while delivering limited benefits for koala conservation,” says chair of the NSW Farmers Conservation and Resource Management committee Bronwyn Petrie.

“Most alarming is the potential of the new SEPP to make redundant the hard fought land management reforms achieved in 2016. Our current allowable activities will be greatly restricted.

“For example, if clearing for roads and fences are restricted to six metres, this could have devastating consequences for bushfire management and control, further threatening koala populations.

“The interactions between the Koala SEPP and other regulations that apply to farming land are complex and are not explicit in the SEPP. However, working together they are likely to mean vast areas of vegetated land in NSW could ultimately be moved into E Zones and many routine farming activities will require development consent.

“Similarly, land management activities that are currently regulated under the Land Management Code will now be subject to approval by the Native Vegetation Regulatory Panel.”

Bronwyn says the previous SEPP (SEPP 44) sought to protect populations of koalas in the urban and peri-urban coastal strip from the spread of urban development.

“The new Koala SEPP seeks to protect and recruit areas of potential koala habitat where koalas may not ever have been recorded.

“It does this by widening the definition of core koala habitat to make it easier for areas to be identified as core koala habitat. It removes the need for koalas or koala feed trees to be actually present and has replaced the previous 10 feed tree requirement with 123 ‘use’ trees.”

“The operation of the Koala SEPP will place significant further unreasonable limits on farming practices, while delivering limited benefits for koala conservation.”

–

BRONWYN PETRIE Chair of the NSW Farmers Conservation and Resource Management committee

What NSW Farmers is calling for:  All land zoned RU1 and RU2 to be excluded from the Koala SEPP. of a fit for purpose approach to managing impacts on koalas in  Development the farming landscape under the Land Management Code.  A process for landholders to review, ground-truth and appeal the koala maps.  An agreed upon verification process for sightings.  No buffers imposed on adjoining land. halt on the commencement of the new SEPP until landholders are  Aprovided with the opportunity to review and ground-truth the mapping and the Guidelines, which will provide the detailed regulations to be included in the KPOMs, are subject to a period of public exhibition.

Bronwyn says the Koala SEPP is supported by predictive maps that are not field verified and with no mechanism for a landowner to contest them.

“These maps are inaccurate and include some plantations, non-native species, individual paddock trees, open paddocks, avocado farms, macadamia plantations, irrigation channels and dams and desert areas in the Western Division.”

The SEPP commenced on 1 March 2020, however the guidelines have still not been agreed upon.

Bronwyn says that farmers are concerned that the Minister for Planning will require all core koala habitat to be rezoned into an ‘Environmental Protection’ zone, as was required under the previous SEPP 44.

“So let’s say a Council has developed a KPOM based on the Site Identification Area for Koala Plans of Management Map and identifies an area of core koala habitat on the farmer’s land. If the Ministerial Direction is issued – as foreshadowed by the Department’s FAQs – the Council will be required to rezone the land from RU1 Primary Production to E2 Environmental Conservation. Routine farm management activities permitted under the Land Management Code would then require development consent from Council.

“We support the protection of koala populations, but this is not the right way. We have had meetings with the Ministers for the Environment, Planning, and Agriculture about what a fit for purpose scheme for helping koalas in the farming landscape could look like.”

It is notable that the SEPP does not apply to public lands. In light of the wholesale habitat loss on public lands due to the recent bushfires our members do not think it unreasonable to demand that government first meet its own obligations to effectively manage the risks to biodiversity caused by bushfire, pest animals and weeds, before they ask more of famers.

NSW Farmers has met with all relevant State Government Ministers to highlight the concerns of the farming community and many NSW Farmers branches have written to their local Members advocating for changes to the SEPP. l MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

25

How this farming family reduced its energy costs “We’ve been on this property since I was six, so that’s a little while now.

We’ve had a lot of droughts come and go over the years, but this is the first time that I can remember that we’ve had a real problem.”

Catriona McAuliffe Regional Services Manager, NSW Farmers “I was introduced to the Business Energy Advice Program (beap) through NSW Farmers. After talking to Joel from beap; we realised we weren’t using the solar-generated power we were producing, and our 18% discount on our energy contract had dropped off,” says Catriona.

“Now we have switched providers and have a higher amount of solar feeding credits, and we get a cheaper bill at the end of it all! You’ve got to take advantage of these things; they don’t come often enough to help farmers in times of drought. So get out there and do it, it’s free so why wouldn’t you?” — Catriona McAuliffe.

The service is 100% free

Australian Government initiative

Advice tailored to your industry

Don’t assume you can’t save more on your energy, take action now!

Contact NSW Farmers to learn more: w: www.nswfarmers.org.au/energy t: 02 9478 1042

Help is here for drought affected businesses!

Do you employ 0-20 full time employees?

Do you want to reduce your business energy costs?

Do you want to learn energy-saving habits?

Get started — it’s FREE! www.nswfarmers.org.au/energy

The Muster l INNOVATION

The singular sensation Seed singulation isn’t new in summer crops and now the cost benefits of applying it to winter crops are starting to be realised.

Words JUSTIN LAW

H

igh-speed precision planters capable of placing a corn seed the right way up and at the correct angle are a reality and the implications for crop yield benefit is making this technology increasingly viable.

It’s a part of the slow evolution of mechanised seed singulation, which has been around for 50 years and is now lurching towards narrow-row winter crops, where the inexact air seeder is king.

An air seeder scratches a channel in the dirt and a bunch of seeds are blown down tubes into them, some clumped together, some spaced far apart. The Grains Research and Development Corporation says the success rate of emergence using that methodology varies from 50-85 per cent but the trade-off is seeders can be configured for narrow rows which equates to more yield per hectare.

Good enough to turn a dollar, given the relative low cost of seeds and equipment to achieve that result.

But given a choice, a farmer would want the successful emergence figure to be north of 90 per cent – and seed singulation with a high-speed precision planter makes that possible.

The way it works is that seeds from the main seed cart are blown into smaller seed boxes which sit above the soil opener and have a metering system inside.

28

THE FARMER

The metering system is typically a rotating disc plate with holes into which seeds are held (usually by vacuum) until they pass over a delivery tube. The vacuum is blocked at that point and the seed falls down the delivery tube into the furrow at a set distance from the previous seed.

It’s a system already common in maize, sorghum, cotton and sunflower crops, and there have been excellent results in canola.

The next frontier is making it work in the narrow rows of winter grain crops, and advancements in sensor technology are starting to make it more viable.

US seed singulation specialist Precision Planting has been at the cutting edge of the technology for many years, using advancements in sensor technology to measure soil moisture, temperature, electrical conductivity and organic residue with a light spectrum.

It’s all done on the fly so that when coupled with adjustable depth controls, the seeder can plant at the exact depth for maximum yield potential. It comes at a cost and in summer crops, where rows can be much wider, yield gains are more apparent.

“The cost benefits are clearly there in the wider summer crop rows, but it would take longer to recover the cost of investment in winter crops,” says Anthony Martin, who has been experimenting with seed

MAY - JUNE 2020

singulation in winter crops at Mullaley near Gunnedah.

The simple reason for the added cost is the number and physical width of the seed metering boxes which sit above each soil opener. Each unit comes at a premium and trying to squeeze them into the sub-40cm row spacing idyll for a winter crop is less than practical.

But Anthony has been giving it a go, working with Precision Planting to trial a variety of winter crops on his minimum till, controlled traffic farming operation.

“We want to move to singulation in all grains and have been planting winter crops of legumes, cereals and canola,” he explains. “We’ve been using the planter at 50cm row spacing but it’s a

WINTER IS COMING

Above: Mechanised seed singulation has been used on summer crops for 50 years. It is now targeting winter crops to boost yields.

The Deere vs AGCO heavyweight bout An indication that precision planting with seed singulation and delivery systems is expected to become widely used by row-crop farmers is the legal intervention which saved it from becoming monopolised in the ag marketplace.

In 2017, the US Department of Justice stepped to block John Deere’s bid to purchase the Precision Planting company.

Deere already had 44 per cent of the high-speed singulation market with its seeders, and because Precision Planting had a 42 per cent share of the market, the DoJ reckoned that was just a bit too greedy because “high-speed precision planting technology is expected to become the industry standard in the coming years”.

This gifted Precision Planting to rival global giant AGCO which then found itself in a well-publicised patent punch-up with Deere over similarities between the two precision planting systems.

When you consider (according to Goldman Sachs in 2016) there’s a potential 70 per cent improvement in farm yields by 2050 and $240 billion to be made in ag tech with this kind of technology, you can understand why it is a hotly contested space.

FIELD OF DREAMS

Above: Seed singulation helps seeds avoid competing with each other for moisture and nutrients.

bit on the wide side for cereals. It just needs to be a bit narrower.

“Yield was still good at 50cm but that was offset by the cost of weed suppression and surface protection from the sun.”

Wider channels between the rows means less competition for weeds while the sun dries out the soil because it’s not covered by the canopy. Anthony is confident that if these issues could be solved, the yield benefits would outweigh the costs.

“The system we used singulated bread wheat perfectly,” he says, “but it wasn’t quite as good on durham, while in canola we got a bit of static electricity on the disc plate which is solvable with an additive”.

“Once we solved the static electricity issue, we got very high singulation in canola – around

95 per cent of single seeds. Mung beans and chickpeas got high 90s, while in sorghum we got as high as 99 per cent.”

So why is singulation so important?

David McGavin from Precision Seeding Solutions says it’s all about giving each seed – some of which are getting more expensive as hybridisation becomes more of a reality – the best chance to grow.

“There’s a huge difference between a precise machine and one that does an okay job,” he explains. “We’re talking another third because if you were to look closely at a row of air-seeded grain, you’d get rid of 30 per cent of it.

“When two seeds are dropped into the row together, there is no benefit. They are competing for moisture and nutrients which handicaps their ability to get a good start, so you end up with two spindly plants which affects grain size.”

He admits the cost of going to narrow-row spacing gets in the way of realistic adoption of seed singulation in winter crops, but still believes there are gains to be made.

SNAPSHOT

Seed singulation with a high-speed precision planter results in emergence increases north of 90 per cent for certain summer crops.

The next frontier of seed singulation is making it work in the narrow rows of winter grain crops.

Singulation is important as it gives individual seeds the best chance to grow and helps farmers boost yields.

“Yield benefits can be anywhere from 2-5 per cent which is still big dollar returns depending on area,” he says.

“One customer planted 137ha in sorghum and achieved halfa-bale yield difference, which is about 3 per cent increase.”

Perhaps not the figures to start a revolution, but as communication technology in machines advances, David says it will become more viable.

“The smartest thing we’re doing is taking moisture and soil type readings and from that, determining the depth the seed needs to be to optimise seed germination,” he says. “With hydraulic depth control, the system will automatically adjust depth on the fly.”

Martin says he’d love to have the money to invest in that level of technology, but even without it believes there are still benefits in singulating winter crops.

“It’s a tool for managing crop competition, helping reduce disease caused by seed clumping, and with canola, reducing seed cost,” he says.

“Seed producers and bulk grain producers might get the most out of the investment, but we’ll keep an eye on the technology as it advances.

“I’ve seen trials in the US where machines are planting corn seeds up the right way so they don’t come up late and with the right orientation to the row so the leaves grow 90 degrees to the direction of the row for the best light inception. That’s pretty amazing.”

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

29

30

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE BIG ISSUE CORONAVIRUS

Farming 2020: How Will Your Sector Weather the COVID-19 Storm?

In this special report, The Farmer looks at half-a-dozen key agricultural sectors to see how they may fare in the face of humanity’s worst crisis since World War II.

–

Words IAN NEUBAUER

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

31

THE BIG ISSUE CORONAVIRUS

A

s industry after industry flounders under the coronavirus crisis, agriculture has reclaimed its title as the backbone of Australia – a critical and essential service that will be exempt from many of the measures taken to prevent more infections. “The Commonwealth is guaranteeing food production and supply as we deal with the virus’ spread,” Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud said when the lockdown and state border closures were introduced in March. “The trucks carrying food and produce will get through to the shops. Feed hay, fertiliser and other inputs will continue being delivered to farms.”

In a nod to the minister’s comments, Rabobank’s Agribusiness Monthly Report for April said the industry will not only likely weather the COVID-19 storm but is well positioned for a profitable 2020. It cited the low value of the Australian dollar, a very wet February and predictions of more wet months ahead, as well as support for farmgate prices by food processors downstream to substantiate its claim.

But Rabobank also highlighted “downside risks on many fronts”: potential disruptors like the supply of agrochemicals and farm labour, the continuation of packing and processing plants, and high human

32

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

TIME CRITICAL

Above: The next six to eight weeks are key for grain growers and they will be particularly keen to avoid any disruption to their schedules.

infection rates in regional Australia. It also warned of a potential re-infection in China and reduced global demand for imported food – a significant concern for a country like Australia that exports more than two-thirds of the food it grows.

The impact on Australian agriculture is an evolving situation and it is not possible to accurately predict what the future may bring. Yet by proactively applying the learnings we have now, much can be done to mitigate potential disruptions across different sectors.

GRAINS

While many businesses, even in agriculture, can recover from hibernation, grain growers cannot afford any kind of disruption – especially now. “The next six to eight weeks are critical. If we don’t plant in the winter, we can’t harvest in the summer and feed the country next year,” says Matthew Madden, chair of NSW Farmers Grains Committee.

Madden says the government has been “very good” at addressing grain growers’ concerns but requires constant “reminding” of how even a minor disruption in the supply chain could send the sector into a tailspin.

“If we can’t get spare parts for machinery, something as small as that could prove catastrophic for grain growers because they won’t be able to collect their harvest.”

Outlying risks aside, Australian grain is in a strong

Photos courtesy of AUSVEG.

position. “I firmly believe that at the end of this year, other countries will look at shoring up their grain supplies with imports,” Madden says. “Even if it takes them longer, we have a commodity that can be stored for two or three years. We’re also fortunate in that we have lots of surplus grain storage in NSW because of the high demand we had for feed during the drought.”

For these reasons, Madden reckons grain growers in NSW should not hold back in 2020 over economic concerns. “I can only talk for myself, but we’re going for it at my farm east of Moree. We’re putting in more fertilisers because of better seasonal prospects and targeting high yields.”

“Going into 2020, we were already behind the eight ball in terms of production because of drought, water access and bushfires.”

– TYSON CATTLE AUSVEG National Manager of Public Affairs

HORTICULTURE

In April, vegetable and fruit farmers sighed with relief when Canberra announced stay extensions on the visa statuses of the international backpackers and Pacific Islanders they rely on to pick their crops.

“Because we are so reliant on foreign workers, we had been advocating for a result since the start of the crisis,” says Tyson Cattle, AUSVEG national manager of public affairs. “Sixty per cent of our production costs are labour, so making sure we have continuity in our workforce is hugely important.”

In terms of agrochemicals and imported fertilisers, the sector also has some room to breathe. “So far

PICKING TIME

Above: AUSVEG says 60 per cent of their production costs are related to labour and that they want to see the supply of workers continue throughout the crisis.

we are confident there will not be a shortfall in the market, but it is one we are watching closely,” Cattle says.

Panic buying in February and March, especially for broccoli and cauliflower, nudged up profitability in the sector. Rain also helped confidence, though horticulture in NSW still has a lot of catching up to do.

“Going into 2020, we were already behind the eight ball in terms of production because of drought, water access and bushfires,” Cattle says. “Some farmers have cut back production by 20 per cent at the start of this year, so it was always going to be a battle in the year ahead.” > MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

33

THE BIG ISSUE CORONAVIRUS

EGGS

When eggs were stripped from supermarket shelves earlier this year, Australian Eggs managing director Rowan McMonnies assured consumers that the country’s 21 million hens were “working around the clock” to lay more. “We’re confident of maintaining steady supply through autumn and winter and there will be eggs readily available when the short-term stockpiling and panic buying stops,” he said.

And while domestic demand remains robust, egg farmers are already experiencing significant change because of the pandemic. Farmers who supplied restaurants and cafés – a market that nosedived 90 per cent – have had to re-engineer their supply chains for grocery stores, food-box delivery companies and farmgate sales, with clever drive-through systems that reduce contact between customers and staff.

Like all primary producers, egg farmers must now adhere to strict new biosecurity, food hygiene and handling procedures, with extra handwashing, personal protective equipment and social distancing on grading floors.

“Fortunately, we have not had an incident of infection yet and this has given egg farmers time to prepare,” McMonnies says. “We all have a common interest in strict compliance and it has been quite remarkable how much change has been implemented in a short period.”

WOOL

The rain in February gave NSW wool farmers a much needed reprieve. Wool prices had come down from near record highs in 2018, but pastures had started to bounce back and Australian Wool Innovation was busy teaming up with sheep icon Shaun the Sheep to promote wool as a natural product.

“We’re confident of maintaining steady supply through autumn and winter and there will be eggs readily available when the short-term stockpiling and panic buying stops.”

– ROWAN MCMONNIES Australian Eggs Managing Director

34

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

CHANGING PACE

Above: Whilst egg farmers are confident of keeping up with supply, they are having to change their practices to meet the market.

Then the export market implications of COVID 19 struck and Australia’s biggest export market, China, shutdown and other key markets such as Italy and India followed suit.

Australian wool exports are worth around $4 billion to the Australian economy every year, with around 75 per cent heading to China for processing.

Andrew Wood, Chair of the NSW Farmers Wool Committee, says the wool industry is wearing a heavier COVID-19 load than most other agricultural sectors.

“It’s not all bad news though. Yes the price for 17 micron indicator wool is down to around 1700c/ kilogram compared to 3000c/kilogram 18 months ago and that hurts, but there have been bigger falls before,” Andrew said.

“I am hearing that processing factories in China are > starting to fire up and the Australian Wool Exchange has worked hard to keep weekly wool auctions going, which have stopped in other exporting countries like New Zealand and South Africa.”

“Also wool is a non-perishable product, so growers do have the ability to store product. Australian Farmers produced around 345 million kilograms of wool a year, with about 30 per cent coming from NSW, prior to the drought. Now it’s around 270 million kilograms, so oversupply should not be an issue when things return to normal.”

Andrew said most wool growers also run diversified farming operations and are able to take advantage of high sheep meat prices and soil moisture to grow winter cereal crops.

“What this pandemic has really highlighted for our industry is the need for investment in early stage wool processing in Australia to give is the ability to value-add in our own country.”

Photos courtesy of Australian Eggs.

PATCHY OUTLO OK

The Eastern Market Indicator for wool is now at its lowest price in four years meaning many Australian growers will need to contemplate delaying the sale of their clip until the summer.

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

35

THE BIG ISSUE CORONAVIRUS

STILL SMILING

Above: Crossley dairy farmers Karinjeet SinghMahil and Brian Schuler and their family.

RED MEAT

HUMAN TOLL

Graziers in NSW were already experiencing a challenging first-quarter in 2020. Bushfires, floods and the lagging effects of the drought had reduced cattle numbers in Australia by one million head compared to this time last year. “There was a whole range of factors that had created volatility before COVID-19,” says Jason Strong, managing director of Meat and Livestock Australia.

The crisis first hit the sector in January, when beef exports to China were less than half the volumes sent in December. But the decline is temporary and

Australian Dairy Industry Council Chair Terry Richardson (above left) says dairy farmers are in a particularly vulnerable position given more than a third of the milk they produce is slated for export.

Right: Beef exports were already hit in January.

“We now have a very important role to play in providing a valuable product to the community. My impression from dairy farmers I’ve spoken to is that they’re willing to meet the challenges head-on.”

– TERRY RICHARDSON Australian Dairy Industry Council Chair

36

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

STICKING TO GETHER

Left: Dairy farmers like Cohuna’s Clark Fehring (with his family) are aware that there are many challenges ahead.

COVID-19 Workplace Health & Safety The risk of COVID-19 spreading in the workplace must be actively managed. To help farmers understand their obligations under new workplace health and safety regulations, NSW Farmers has compiled comprehensive online resources, including a detailed Q&A which can be read on page 96 of this magazine or online at nswfarmers.org.au.

of no long-term consequence, Strong says, citing the massive reduction in Chinese pork production due to African swine fever.

“There was a reduction of 40 million tonnes of red meat produced in China. To put it into perspective, it’s an amount equal to the total amount of beef and pork traded around the world in the past two years,” he says.

But that doesn’t mean graziers are out of the woods. “It’s going to be crazy for a few more months yet,” Strong says. “The real potential for harm comes from disruptions in logistics – making sure we can get our livestock to market, get the meat processed and delivered to customers. But at the end of the day, our market fundamentals are strong. We have less domestic supply and more global demand.”

DAIRY

There’s no evidence COVID-19 can spread through livestock and food products. Nevertheless, Australian dairy farmers have quickly battened down the hatches by applying new protocols in milk production and collection. “The adjustments are not about protecting the milk. They’re about protecting the people working at farms and right through the supply chain,” says Terry Richardson, Australian Dairy Industry Council Chair.

But dairy farmers can’t do anything to mitigate potential disruptions in global trade and are in a particularly vulnerable position given more than a third of the milk they produce is slated for export.

“China’s initial lockdown created some logistical challenges getting exports into the country and that decreased global demand for dairy,” Richardson explains. “Consequently, many dairy companies in Australia are now reporting significant drops in shortterm sales. Now, as other countries enact lockdowns and all the restaurants in Europe that buy Australian dairy products are closed, demand will shrink further and we don’t know how long it will last.”

But the sector, Richardson says, has a secret weapon: farmers hardened by years of crisis. “We now have a very important role to play in providing a valuable product to the community,” he says. “My impression from dairy farmers I’ve spoken to is that they’re willing to meet the challenges head-on.” l MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

37

INNOVATION PLANT-BASED PROTEIN

Planting

38

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

the Seed

The global demand for protein in 2050 will be so large that our traditional meat industries won’t come close to meeting it.

–

Words ALEXANDRA BUNTON

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

39

INNOVATION PLANT-BASED PROTEIN

A

t the recent NSW Farmers Alternative Protein Forum held in Sydney, representatives from relevant industry bodies, government and regulators, researchers and academics, and companies developing alternative protein products heard from presenters on wide-ranging topics, all focused on how people will be consuming protein by 2050. Included were fascinating discussions on the development of the Rebel Whopper for Hungry Jack’s, the science behind lab-grown protein, consumer perceptions of traditional and alternative proteins, and regulatory approaches to new products.

Of particular interest to farmers in attendance was a report from the Australian Farm Institute (AFI) that outlined the significant opportunities for both animal and alternative protein. The report was commissioned by rural research and development corporation AgriFutures Australia.

Katie McRobert, general manager of the AFI, told attendees that consumers substituting meat for alternative protein products will not pose a risk to the viability of animal agriculture in Australia. It’s estimated that by 2030, there will be $19.9 billion in additional opportunities for protein, and only $3.1 billion of this is likely to be met by alternative protein.

Professor Robyn Warner from the University of Melbourne presented on the university’s Future Food Hallmark Research Initiative, which brings together science, business and social science to look at what consumers expect from protein products. The Australian Food and Grocery Council walked the forum through the commercial opportunities and challenges for alternative protein products in the manufacturing and retail sectors.

Nick Hazell from v2food explained the process behind his company’s Rebel Whopper patty, available at Hungry Jack’s, while VOW Foods co-founder George Peppou discussed how his start-up is creating a library of cells to grow animal protein from undomesticated species in a laboratory setting, which is still years away from producing commercial products.

Some producers are naturally concerned that the alternative protein sector is using marking language that degrades animal agriculture.

“It is not helpful to the Australian animal agricultural and processing sector to fight the inevitable,” says David Mailler, Chair of the NSW

PROTEIN-PACKED

Above: Don’t be fooled, there is actually no meat in this burger.

“It is not helpful to the Australian animal agricultural and processing sector to fight the inevitable.”

– DAVID MAILLER Chair, Agricultural Science Committee, NSW Farmers

40

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

Farmers’ Agricultural Science Committee. “The research tells us that the protein demand is growing in two ways: changing diets in Asia particularly and population growth. Protein demand by 2050 is expected to grow exponentially, and animal agriculture won’t be able to meet that without alternative protein.”

One of the most important points raised by speakers and attendees was that many of the purported environmental impacts of animal agriculture are based on production systems used in the United States.

Alternative protein companies should be careful to moderate their marketing so that there’s accurate comparisons between the environmental impacts of protein sources in Australia.

The forum offered some key lessons for animal agriculture – most importantly, that we can all share in the forecast additional demand for protein. Infighting between animal and alternative protein industries will cause confusion for consumers. We need to focus on the areas where we can grow the value for our farmer members, including new opportunities for cropping and niche, high-value animal products.

“The rapid rising investment in alternative protein research suggests it is here to stay,” explains Mailler.

“It is important for animal agriculture to understand

forum that consumers trust Australian agriculture and they need reassurance that we have world-leading sustainability credentials. Changes in our social demographics, including migration-driven population growth, mean we can diversify our domestic products while also tapping into export markets that are demanding quality.

As for what’s next – NSW Farmers, in partnership with other national organisations, is establishing a national protein forum that brings together traditional and alternative proteins to discuss opportunities and challenges, share insights, and develop resources for industry.

“In the shorter term, the grains industry will be looking at opportunities in the vegetable alternative protein market,” says Mailler. “For this reason, the agricultural sector will have to manage the inter-commodity relationship.” l

By Phil Somerville

the political – that is, sovereign food security – and market drivers for alternative protein and not dig in to a paradigm about meat and alternative protein.

It will be wasting resources for livestock producers and presumptuous to think they can drive alternative protein from the market. Better to manage opportunities to meet market demand.”

Our industries also have an opportunity to promote our environmental and animal welfare credentials. Meat and Livestock Australia told the

“Alternative proteins are a complementary, valueadding sector that can support the sustainability and competitiveness of Australia’s food and agriculture sector in the long term.”

– THOMAS KING CEO, Food Frontier

What are the alternative proteins?

Thomas King, CEO of alternative protein think tank Food Frontier, outlined the alternative protein landscape in Australia. Products on the shelves currently fall into these four categories:

1

Traditional meat alternative products, usually using soy or wheat protein, often along with whole grains and legumes, which are marketed to a niche vegetarian market.

These products are not designed to replicate meat.

2

Plant-based meat products mimic the same building blocks as meat using plant proteins and fats and other ingredients, and are aimed at meat eaters seeking to eat less meat but wanting the same ‘meaty’ experience.

3

Nature’s mimics are culinary innovations using whole foods like mushrooms and jackfruit, which can stand in meals as meat alternatives due to their meat-like appearance, texture or ability to absorb flavours.

4

Fermentation-based products like Quorn, which use proteins produced from fungi with the use of fermenters, similar to those found in a brewery.

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

41

Telstra tips to keep you connected Australia’s response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) has rapidly increased the demand for connectivity. That’s why Telstra is giving consumer and small business customers additional data and offering unlimited home phone calls to pensioners. We’ve also announced additional support for those on the JobSeeker benefit and for small businesses who have had to cease trading. A new $30 per month mobile offer for anybody with a valid Healthcare card is also available.

For more information about Telstra’s response to COVID-19 visit: telstra.com.au/covid19 and exchange.telstra.com.au.

MANAGING YOUR BANDWIDTH AT HOME FOR FASTER INTERNET

• Always use a fixed broadband connection where possible.

• Switch or limit your streaming quality.

• Switch to voice-only conferencing.

• Download updates overnight.

• Don’t connect multiple unnecessary devices or apps.

A ROUGH GUIDE ON DATA USAGE FOR EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES

• Sending a tweet or updating your Facebook – a few kB. • Sending/receiving 100 emails without attachments – about 2.5MB. • Music streaming for 3 mins – about 3MB. • Navigating on Google Maps for 10 minutes – about 6MB. • Sending/receiving 10 emails with attachments – about 18MB.

• Downloading a TV show in standard definition (SD) – about 800MB. • Downloading a movie in SD – about 1.5GB. • Streaming high definition content – about 3GB per hour.

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR WI-FI (WITHOUT A TECHNICIAN)

Set up your modem in a central spot. Wi-Fi signals have a tougher time travelling through dense objects. So try to have your modem set up in a central location where you will use your wireless devices.

Avoid interference. Sources of radio interference in the home

include appliances like microwaves and fridges so locate your modem somewhere away from these items.

Stay secure. More connections often mean a slower network so keep your network passwords safe and secure for the best experience.

Choose a wired connection for some devices. These will typically work faster than those sent wirelessly. Connect some of your data-hungry stationary devices, like your smart TV, directly into the LAN port on the back of your modem.

Use booster hardware to extend your signal. The Smart Wi-Fi Booster Gen 2 is designed to work together with Telstra’s

latest modem (the Smart Modem Gen 2) to improve in-home Wi-Fi. Find out how by visiting: telstra.com.au/internet/extras/get-wifi Avoid dropouts. Telstra’s Smart Modem Gen 2 has a dedicated voice and data backup so when there is a network outage you’ll still be connected to Telstra’s 4G network.

Data sent over 4G during an outage is free.

EXTEND YOUR COVERAGE AND IMPROVE YOUR CONNECTION

Network coverage extension devices can maximise outdoor and in-building coverage, providing clearer voice quality and more consistent data performance in more places. These devices amplify the network signal your mobile device receives, which extends the area that your device can work in.

TELSTRA’S NETWORK COVERAGE EXTENSION DEVICES

The following devices are tested, authorised and approved by us for use on the Telstra Mobile Network.

Telstra Go Repeater maximises coverage for better voice and data connectivity and quality for moving vehicles.

A ROUGH GUIDE ON DATA USAGE FOR EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES CONTENT APPROXIMATE

DATA USAGE Sending a tweet or updating your Facebook a few KB 100 emails without attachments 2.5MB Musing streaming for 3 mins 3MB Navigating on Google Maps for 10 mins 6MB Sending/receiving 10 emails with attachments 18MB Downloading a TV show in standard definition (SD) 800MB Downloading a movie in SD 1.5GB Streaming high definition content 3GB per hour

Telstra Go Mobile Stationary Repeater maximises indoor coverage.

Telstra Smart Antenna® 4G extends indoor coverage for Telstra 3G and 4G/4GX mobile or mobile broadband services on the Telstra Mobile Network. Visit: telstra.com. au/coverage-networks/networkcoverage-extension-devices AVOID ILLEGAL REPEATERS

Illegal devices can also cause major interference on the network. The Telstra Go Repeater is designed

to work without interfering with the overall mobile network. Visit: exchange.telstra.com.au/illegalmobile-repeaters/ TELSTRA’S BLUE TICK MEANS BEST COVERAGE FOR RURAL AREAS

A mobile device that displays Telstra’s Blue Tick has been laboratory tested to confirm it delivers superior voice coverage in rural and regional areas. For more about Telstra’s Blue Tick visit: exchange.telstra.com.au/blue-tickmean

To access Telstra’s interactive manuals, visit: mobilesupport.telstra.com.au For more information on how Telstra is helping rural and regional communities through COVID-19 visit: telstra.com.au/covid19

44

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

TRADE LIVESTOCK BUYING

Will COVID-19 restrictions drive livestock markets online?

The infrastructure is there, and buyers are willing to adapt to the new normal.

–

Words DARREN BAGULEY

W

ith the spread of the COVID-19 virus, sales are increasingly going online as the livestock industry adapts to new social distancing measures restricting the number of people gathering in saleyards.

In late March, ahead of Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud’s announcement that livestock sales will continue, saleyard operators such as Regional Livestock Exchanges (RLX) implemented procedural and access changes in response to COVID-19. Spectators and sellers wanting to watch are banned as saleyards are now restricted to individuals considered essential: genuine buyers, livestock agents, livestock transporters and site staff.

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

>

45

TRADE LIVESTOCK BUYING

At saleyards managed by the RLX Group (Inverell, Hunter, Tamworth and Central Tablelands), all attendees are required to undergo a mandatory electronic sign-in process. The visitor management system, Sine Pro, includes a questionnaire that evaluates a user’s risk of exposure to COVID-19 and can be accessed either online or via an app that automatically recognises that users are physically attending the saleyard.

Bricks-and-mortar saleyards are moving rapidly to make streaming services available for online buyers, but they are a long way behind online livestock sales market leader AuctionsPlus, a business that started way back in 1986. According to CEO Angus Street, “A lot of people see us as a start-up and even though we’ve seen exponential growth recently we’ve been around for 33 years. The first sale took place in 1987 and it took 2km of telecoms and a generator for the fax machines. When we did get into the internet era, we had to deal with slow speeds from dial-up, data black spots and just generally creating technology that didn’t exist at the time.”

In its modern form, Street says AuctionsPlus is “like eBay for cattle and sheep with a twist.” Livestock are assessed on farm by accredited assessors who undergo rigorous training and are regularly and randomly audited to ensure assessment is uniform, consistent and meets the expectations of buyers and seller. Sellers pay up to $7.20 a head for cattle and $0.93 a head for sheep and, just like eBay, these can be relisted for free if they don’t sell. A buyer has 48 hours from delivery to raise any issues regarding

46

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

ONLINE AUCTIONS

Top to bottom: AuctionsPlus is like eBay for cattle and sheep, with a twist.

Sellers can even relist for free if their livestock don’t initially sell at auction.

assessment, animal condition and so on. Street adds: “Most assessors are livestock agents, so disputes are usually resolved outside of our platform.”

Prior to the COVID-19 crisis, AuctionsPlus had two auctions weekly – Tuesday sheep and Friday cattle – as well as one-off stud sales which attracted 467 attendees on average. The company has created a national marketplace that stretches from outback Queensland through NSW to Victoria and South Australia. According to Street, the company is “probably the number-one provider of interface stud sales and facilitates the sale of 870 million livestock annually”.

With the social distancing restrictions on live attendance at saleyards, AuctionsPlus has seen a huge rise in demand, so large that transactions for a recent weaner sale had to be delayed because so many buyers were attempting to get online.

Nevertheless, the technical challenges were solved, and the company has announced plans to expand into online wool and rural real estate markets.

While the meltdown at AuctionsPlus’ weaner sale was frustrating for buyers, it underscores the demand for online transactions and suggests saleyards will need to keep developing their online selling platform – a live streaming platform known as StockLive. With streamed auctions, buyers have the advantage of being able to see the cattle in the physical market but online auctions such as AuctionsPlus provide very detailed descriptions of the animals available for purchase such as weight, age, breeding, bloodlines and any vet treatments they’ve had.

Nevertheless, online auctions are growing from a low base according to Garry Edwards, managing director of AAM Investment Group, the manager and operator of the RLX portfolio. “The online platforms have been around for 30 years,” he says. “In recent years they have got more publicity, but [prior to the COVID-19 measures] they still only handled four to five per cent of transactions; Australia-wide 62 per cent of livestock goes through physical facilities.

“The advantage physical facilities have is high clearance rate – 99 per cent of animals sell because the physical environment drives excitement. We use online to stream out to people who may not want or need to attend in person so people can increasingly get the best of both worlds.”

Street argues that online has definite advantages: “No freight charges, no expensive yard fees, no slippage in terms of weight and just generally better outcomes in terms of animal welfare because the animal stays in the paddock until it’s sold. In addition, as a seller you’re in control, you shift from price-taker to price-maker. “[Nevertheless, there is] always going to be a need for physical saleyards. I think more and more they’ll be used as a clearing house for lower value animals. As we come out of drought, store stock will attract a premium and we think over the next five years our business is going to continue to grow through servicing that market.” l

Bullish market Bald Blair Angus, one of the oldest Angus studs in Australia, will continue to embrace AuctionsPlus online auctions throughout the COVID-19 restriction period to ensure cattle producers can access quality genetics for good value online.

“We will be selling our bulls with AuctionsPlus, as we have done in the past, to ensure clients who are unable to attend our sales can actively bid,” says Kirsty White, who owns Bald Blair with husband Sam in Guyra, NSW. “But this time it will be more important than ever as our clients still need bulls and we are recovering from the very harsh 2019 drought and have between 50 and 60 quality Angus bulls to sell.

“The entire team want to reassure Kirsty, Sam and our entire community that in these uncertain and frightening times, we have your back. We are here for you,” said AuctionsPlus CEO Angus Street.

Elders will again conduct the annual Bald Blair Angus bull sale that will be interfaced on AuctionsPlus.

“Due to COVID-19 we will have a greater reliance than ever on the auction platform. As agents we use AuctionsPlus on a near daily basis so have extensive experience and full confidence in AuctionsPlus,” says Elders Branch Manager Paul Harris.

“Australia now, more than ever, needs farmers and needs food.

We are here to support you and offer solutions no matter what restrictions and regulations you are facing.”

– ANGUS STREET AuctionsPlus CEO

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

47

48

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

TRADE CARBON NEUTRAL

The Big

2050

Farmers will play a big role in Australia’s goal of carbon neutrality, but the sector’s actual target is a hot topic for debate.

–

Words DARREN BAGULEY

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

49

TRADE CARBON NEUTRAL

B

efore COVID-19 pushed every other story out of the headlines, whether Australia could or should achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 was a hot topic with politicians and commentators holding forth at great length about the subject.

As so often happens around the carbon emissions issue, most sectors of the economy are way ahead of government. Agriculture is no exception: Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) has come out with an ambitious target of net carbon zero by 2030 and most agricultural peak bodies and all state governments have expressed support for net zero carbon emissions by 2050. By contrast, broad-based advocacy groups such as NSW Farmers and the National Farmers’ Federation have yet to commit to any form of target.

Tagged as CN30, MLA’s initiative is working towards a target of all Australian red meat – beef, lamb and goat production, including lot feeding and meat processing – contributing no net release of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into the atmosphere by 2030. MLA sees this initiative as being “on the front foot, proactively taking action and aiming to maintain or improve long-term productivity and herd numbers while striving to deliver zero net emissions”.

According to the red meat industry research and development corporation (RDC), consumers are prepared to vote with their wallets, the target has the

By Phil Somerville

“It’s a meaty issue – pun intended – and there is a diversity of opinion when you talk to different stakeholders.”

– MITCH CLAPHAM NSW Farmers’ Association

50

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

backing of some of the industry’s leading producers and the demand for projects is on the rise. Somewhat ambitiously, MLA is asking producers to “imagine that by 2030 we saw consumers make the decision to buy red meat because they knew it was a good choice for the environment. The global population continues to rise, as does demand for red meat. Australia exports 70 per cent of its red meat and has an opportunity to be a world leader in producing an environmentally friendly, sustainable and high-quality source of protein”.

The red meat and livestock industry contributes 10 to 15 per cent of all of Australia’s GHG emissions, a figure that has halved since 2005. Not only have greenhouse gas emissions from the red meat and livestock industry fallen by 57.6 per cent since 2005, it now takes 65 per cent less water to produce a kilo of beef.

The bulk of the red meat industry’s emissions come from methane, 90 to 95 per cent of which is belched out by livestock at ground level, and stems from ruminant animals’ natural digestion process. Ruminants such as cattle, sheep and goats have the unique ability to convert low-grade feed such as the grasses, forbs and shrubs they consume in mostly non-arable areas into valuable protein and vitamins for human consumption, plus various non-edible products.

In Australia, livestock are grazed on rangelands and savannahs where other food production systems like cropping are not viable.

In addition to methane emitted by cattle, beef production also emits GHGs through: • Meat processing • Loss of soil carbon in overgrazed pastures • Savannah burning conducted to manage woody weeds and promote pasture quality • Nitrous oxide from manure in feedlots • Application of nitrogen fertilisers to pastures and to grow grain, and • Upstream inputs such as chemicals, fertilisers and diesel.

Mitch Clapham, NSW Farmers’ representative on the National Farmers’ Federation Sustainable Development Committee, believes that NSW Farmers should support an ambitious, feasible and achievable target. “It will take a lot of work to get there,” he says. “The NFF Sustainable Development Committee has been looking at the concept of net carbon zero and the consensus is that net carbon zero by 2030 is a very ambitious target and net zero by 2050 is far more achievable.

“As an Association that represents the interests of farmers to government and the community at large, we need to have the debate and take it forward.

“It’s a meaty issue – pun intended – and there is a diversity of opinion when you talk to different stakeholders. MLA believe it has to be on the front foot in marketing, provenance and sustainability and we need to decide if we want to be on the front foot as well.”

NSW Farmers is working on a process of coming to a position on net carbon zero. The Association’s leadership is being very clear that there will be a policy debate on the issue in the near future, but

as part of the COVID-19 social distancing measures which postponed its annual conference, the executive committee is trialing an out of session process for decision making. Nevertheless, Clapham believes that over the long term, NSW Farmers must develop a clear view on the issue and the Association “needs to have the discussion. All the peak bodies have formed a view except horticulture and we’re in the business of representing farmers, so we need to have a position.

“MLA is doing a lot of interesting research in terms of carbon sequestration and feed additives. Not every farmer needs to achieve carbon neutrality because it is net zero emissions that we’re aiming for, but we have to put the target out there. Once we’ve had the debate, had the vote, decided on the target and put it out there, then it is a case of how to achieve it.”

According to Angus Atkinson, chair of the NFF Sustainable Development Committee, “net carbon

neutral 2050 is one of the most important issues the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) Sustainable Development Committee will deal with this year.

“The 2030 Roadmap, NFF’s plan for a $100 billion industry, refers to an expectation that by 2050 the carbon market could provide income of about $40 billion to the land sector. This aspirational goal is predicated on significant developments in the methodologies, markets and innovations.

“NFF would never support any target and/or proposals that would put the competitiveness or ongoing growth of major farm sectors at risk. At this point, the NFF does not have a formal policy view on net carbon neutral 2050.

“To manage the journey, the NFF is committed to working with its members, including NSW Farmers, and all commodities groups to develop plans or pathways by 2025 to make an informed assessment. > MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

51

TRADE CARBON NEUTRAL

“It is critical for farmers to be part of this discussion.

The farming sector is under increasing pressure to commit to emissions targets, and the pathway for achieving these targets will be something all our members will need to grapple with in their various policy development forums.

“It is important to remember that agriculture is in the unique position that it not only feeds the nation, but it has enabled the Australian Government to claim that Australia will exceed its emission reductions targets. Farmers must be recognized for this magnificent achievement and be a part of the ongoing discussions and future plans.

“The proposal of net carbon neutral by 2050 is an economy-wide aspiration; it’s neither sector by sector nor farm by farm. The complexity and diversity of agriculture means it will be a complicated process, not achieved in sound bites or headlines.”

Despite the circumspection of groups such as the NFF, it is difficult to overstate the opportunity for farmers when it comes to net zero emissions goals. However, it needs to be noted that carbon initiatives to date have not worked for agriculture as a whole with many farmers unable to participate and little money actually flowing.

Nevertheless, if the mechanisms and programs used to achieve the goal are properly designed and recognise the complexity of the carbon cycle by having farmers as part of the design process; no other industry can be part of the solution by drawing down greenhouse gases and getting a two-for-one benefit in the process. By investing in research and helping farmers change some agricultural practices, it is not only possible to reduce CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions but also to sequester carbon, drawing down GHGs while making farmers more resilient to climate change.

The transport and energy sectors can only stop or reduce their emissions; unlike agriculture there is no ready-to-be-deployed reversal mechanism. There is no doubt achieving net carbon zero by 2030 or 2050 will be a challenge to NSW food and fiber producers, but no one can say “it can’t be done” because farmers all over Australia, not just in NSW, are already doing it.

In an opinion piece published in the Sydney Morning Herald, Niall Blair, professor of food sustainability at Charles Sturt University, former NSW minister for primary industries and deputy leader of the NSW Nationals, wrote “We could unlock billions of dollars from government and industry funds, paid directly to farmers to help improve their natural capital, their soil, vegetation and farming practices –not to mention innovation and research – which, in turn, will reverse the effects of climate change. This will also ensure our commodities are acceptable to eco-wise consumers in a competitive market where already 70 countries have committed to the net zero target.

“Farming is hard enough and becoming harder with more droughts, severe storms and unreliable weather patterns. Ultimately, this will have an impact on the food security of this nation. That impacts you, me, our farmers and our future.

“A net zero emissions future in Australia provides nothing but opportunities for our farmers. And, with 30 years to get there, they are ready, willing and able.

It’s also the right thing to do. Granted we need details, innovation, research and costings but, if we get it right, we can capitalise on the opportunities and leave behind those who are doing the scaremongering. The future awaits us, and we shouldn’t fear it.” l

“It is critical for farmers to be part of this discussion. The farming sector is under increasing pressure to commit to emissions targets, and the pathway for achieving these targets will be something all our members will need to grapple with.”

– ANGUS ATKINSON NFF Sustainable Development Committee Chair

MLA IS ACTIVELY COLLABORATING WITH INDUSTRY, GOVERNMENT AND RESEARCH PARTNERS AS IT INVESTS IN RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND ADOPTION PROJECTS TO ENABLE INDUSTRY TO MOVE TOWARD THE CN30 TARGET. EXAMPLES OF RESEARCH ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:

1.

Continual improvement in animal genetics and husbandry practices to reduce methane emissions per kilogram of production.

52

THE FARMER

2.

Developing technology to reduce methane emissions from livestock.

MAY - JUNE 2020

3.

Developing viable grazing supplement delivery technologies that maintain livestock productivity and lower methane emissions.

4.

Advancing soil carbon sequestration methods using pasture and legumes with accompanying measurement technology.

Provided by Meat & Livestock Australia.

5.

Improving integration of trees and shrubs for improved carbon storage, animal health and biodiversity.

6.

Assessing new pastures, shrubs and legumes that lower methane emissions and build carbon stocks.

7.

Developing technology to avoid methane emissions from waste management at processing facilities.

8.

Investigation of carbon storage increases from dung beetle activity in grazing lands.

9.

Developing renewable energy technology to reduce CO2 emissions from use of fossil fuels.

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

53

TOOLS HISTORY

Aussie farm inventions Necessity is the mother of invention and Australia’s harsh, unique conditions created plenty of necessity as this collection of farm inventions attests.

–

Words JUSTIN LAW

54

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

T

he unique climate and demands faced by Australian farmers have seen the birth of contraptions, inventions and innovations which not only solved problems here but went on to be adopted worldwide. It’s a rich heritage which has yielded dozens of technical breakthroughs, but we’ve narrowed them down to a showcase of the inventions that made the most impact on farmers here and overseas.

HEADER HARVESTER

Immortalised in bronze at Henty, Headlie Taylor is recognised as the inventor who revolutionised grain harvesting. While there were already machines capable of stripping grain from standing wheat, Taylor’s design enabled farmers to harvest crops flattened by storms. His idea was to lift the damaged wheat with a long-fingered comb fitted with reciprocating knives, which would cut the stalks and feed the wheat up an elevator to a thresher. It’s a method replicated in nearly all modern combine harvesters. Three of his new machines were made under licence in 1915, starting a boom which has seen Headlie recognised as Australia’s greatest ag machinery revolutionary. >

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

55

RIDLEY STRIPPER

Before Headlie’s Header Harvester, Australian farmers had been stripping grain from wheat stalks from the mid-19th century. The stripper harvester was invented by John Ridley, an English immigrant who farmed wheat in South Australia after arriving in 1839. He developed a machine pushed by two horses through a crop, stripping the grain and collecting it in a hopper. Instantly popular, thanks to a lack of labour in the state at the time and the fact it kept the crop dry so export quality was high, the Ridley Stripper earned its inventor a good income. But some historians credit its inventor as John Wrathall Bull, even though it’s beyond dispute that Ridley was the first to put it to work.

SUNSHINE HARVESTER

Hugh Victor McKay sits between Ridley and Taylor in the combine harvester development timeline as having successfully invented a machine capable of harvesting, threshing and winnowing wheat. While working on his family farm, the boy from Drummartin (he was 19 at the time) read about combine harvesters being developed in the US. He put some ideas together and built what became known as the Sunshine Harvester in 1885. He wasn’t the only one. James Morrow came out with the same idea that year and won a government prize for it, but McKay had better business sense and his machine went on to be a commercial success.

MULTI-PURP O SED

Left: Australian Hugh Victor McKay invented the Sunshine Harvester in 1885 which was capable of harvesting, threshing and winnowing wheat.

56

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

TOOLS HISTORY

Worthy mentions

>

WOLSELEY SHEARING MACHINE

HUMANE ADVANCES

Sheep stations were frantic hubs of activity at shearing time with up to 20 men cutting the wool from the backs of 50,000 sheep with hand shears. It was arduous work and not much fun for the sheep, who were routinely stabbed and sliced with the razor-sharp, scissor-like shears. NSW farmer Frederick Wolseley came to the rescue with the first ever mechanical shearing machine, which was very much like the hair clippers of today, with knives above a comb moving side-toside to cut the wool. Power was originally generated by a horse gin connected to a belt and pulley which rotated a shaft that ran the length of the shearing shed.

A wheel at each shearing bay drove a length of sheep gut at 1600rpm within a leather pipe which ran to the shears. It totally revolutionised shearing, allowing for much better-quality fleeces shorn from the backs of much happier sheep by shearers who could mow through more than ever before.

Above: NSW farmer Frederick Wolseley came to the rescue of hand sheared sheep with his mechanical shearing machine.

THE UTE: Ford created the coupe utility (ute) in 1934 in response to a letter from a Geelong farmer’s wife who wanted a vehicle to take her “to church on Sundays and pigs to market on Mondays”.

It went on to become an iconic Australiacentric vehicle which has evolved into the big dual-cab utes on the roads today.

>

GYRAL AIR SEEDER

KOERSTZ WOOL PRESS: Developed by Christian Koerstz, a Danish inventor who settled in Australia in the late 19th Century, the wool press did the work of several farm labourers who would stomp the 16 fleeces required to make a bale. The press had a long lever

FURPHY WATER CART: Built in the 1880s, the Furphy watercart was a steel and cast-iron tank laid on its side and mounted to a cart to deliver water to farmers and later soldiers in WWI. The cast-iron ends of the tanks are now very collectable, and the term “furphy”, which means a tall story, is said to derive from the exaggerated tales told by the cart’s drivers as they travelled from place to place.

60-FOOT HEADER FRONT: In 2014, Queensland header front maker MidWest Fabrication put the first commercially available 60-foot wide draper platform front on the market. Used mostly by harvest contractors, the front is 15 feet wider than the most common front on the market and is designed to maximise a header’s capacity to get crop off the paddock fast.

MAY - JUNE 2020

>

A particularly wet 1956 season in Dalby, Queensland prompted broadacre farmer Albert Fuss to try something new to get seed in the ground. At the ripe old age of 68, Fuss sought a solution to handling the compacted soil and trash which the combine drills of the time were struggling with. His son Roy later said: “My father came up with a lightweight air seeder which could be mounted on to a chisel plough, plus it had the added bonus of handling all types of cereals.”

Immediately seeing its potential, the family applied for a patent that year, making the Gyral the first commercial broadacre air seeder in the world. The name came from the gyroscopic action of the spinner at the bottom of the seed hopper. The spinner would blow the seed down a hose to the furrow just behind the tyne which tore through the hard ground. Such was its success that the family went into the engineering business and Gyral air seeders are still produced today. >

that would squash the fleeces into an even and well-presented bale.

THE FARMER

57

TOOLS HISTORY

STUMP-JUMP PLOUGH

BEST WESTERN

HARRINGTON SEED DESTRUCTOR

The expression “tough as a Mallee root” may well have been coined by farmers trying to get a plough through ground cleared of the stubby eucalypts in Victoria, South Australia and southern NSW in the mid-19th Century. The roots left in the ground were gnarly, rock-hard and difficult to budge, and the furrow ploughs of the time did not enjoy unexpected encounters with them. Money was offered to anyone who could come up with an effective way to get rid of the stumps but that had limited results. Richard Bowyer Smith thought outside the square and in 1876 developed a plough capable of skipping over the stumps then re-engaging the ground. Hinged ploughshares (the part behind the chisel at the tip of the plough blade) rode over the stump and were then driven back into the ground with weights. Smith’s invention, the Stump-Jump Plough, revolutionised crop farming in rough ground and is still recognised as one of the most important agricultural breakthroughs of all time.

Above: Western Australia farmer Ray Harrington’s creation – the Harrington Seed Destructor – crushes weed seeds as they exit the combine harvester, meaning potential new weeds are minimised.

Below: Richard Bowyer Smith thought outside the square and in 1876 developed a plough capable of skipping over the stumps then re-engaging the ground.

Dealing with weeds is a $3.23 billion headache for Australian broadacre farmers because the herbicides used to control them are expensive and lose their effectiveness over time. Numerous alternatives to chemical treatment have been trialled over the decades, but a Western Australia farmer created a method which is gathering international interest. Ray Harrington created a way of crushing weed seeds as they exit the combine harvester, rendering 95 per cent of them incapable of germinating. The seeds are in the chaff which is usually blown out the back of the harvester leaving a trail of potential new weeds. Harrington’s invention is a cage mill with rotating metal blades which smash the seeds as they are pushed through with the chaff.

Originally the Harrington Seed Destructor, as it was dramatically named, was a cart towed behind the harvester, but it has since been redesigned to mount on the machine. It’s getting interest from the US and Canada for its potential to save farmers millions. l

58

THE FARMER

MAY - JUN 2020

TOOLS MARKETPLACE

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

Edited by MICHELLE HESPE

KEEP YOUR COOL

Keep your drinks cold in Packit’s nine-can freezable insulated cooler bag, with a built-in eco-gel liner that lets you take meals and drinks everywhere without the need for ice packs. It keeps contents cool for up to 10 hours, is PVC and lead-free, non-toxic, re-usable, and folds compactly into the freezer for storage. $24.99 @ packit.com

WELCOME TO COUNTRY

FINER THINGS

The stunning Van Daemon decanter set (in three different designs) includes a whisky decanter and four heavy-based tumblers large enough to accommodate two-inch whisky stones, cubes or an ice ball.

Each set comes in a giftbox. $149 @ freshaustralianstore.com

HANDMADE & HANDY

This beautiful book by Marcia Langton is a travel guide to Indigenous Australia and the Torres Strait Islands and offers a fascinating look into the history and customs of our first peoples. It also provides a state-by-state directory of Indigenous tourism experiences. $39.99 @ hardiegrant.com.au

PUT YOUR FOOT IN IT

Whitelaw & Newton is an Australian company based in Sydney that is renowned for its original creative combinations of colours and images showcased on exquisite handcrafted lacquered trays. The vibrant Life of Trees tray is ideal for breakfast in bed on a lazy Sunday, or for taking drinks and nibbles out on to the deck for sundowners. $261 @ whitelawnewton.com

Put your best foot forward with R.M.Williams’ iconic Craftsman boots.

Handcrafted in the Adelaide workshop, the Craftsman boot features a classic chisel-square toe with a flat heel, great for every occasion. $595 @ rmwilliams.com.au

INSPIRED BY THE BUSH

Inspired by the native flora of Australian bushland, these Florae toiletries bags come in handy sets of three. The rich colour palette evokes the essence of spring and awakens nostalgic memories of aromatic blooms caught in the warm, afternoon breeze. $24.99 @ ecologyhomewares.com.au

GOOD FOR YOU

Olivia Newton-John, who is part owner of Gaia Retreat in Northern NSW, has launched an all-natural luxury skincare range. To ensure a completely holistic experience, each formula features all-natural aromas, which evoke the sensory journey of a timeless retreat. $39 – $95 @ retreatmentbotanics.com

Do you have a great product you’d like us to consider for the page? Email an image and details to: mhespe@intermedia.com.au

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

59

LUSH LAND

The beautiful Byron Shire hinterland, home to Byron Beef Jerky.

60

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

TREND PROTEIN SNACKS

The Meat Snacks Revolution With more Australians looking for a high-protein, sugar-free snack to satisfy their cravings, the jerky and biltong industry has seen significant growth in recent years.

Words LISA SMYTH

F

or most Australians, the words ‘meat’ and ‘snacks’ don’t go together, though marinated and dried meat is regularly found in lunchboxes and pantries in other parts of the world.

But over the past decade, American-style jerky and South African biltong have grown in popularity across Australia. An increase in protein-based diets, and Australian-made products that use grass-fed meat and are free of nitrates, preservatives and sugar, have opened up a whole new snack category.

Just like Australian craft spirits, the meat snack industry is built upon quality produce, traceable local provenance and a desire from customers to hear directly from owners and makers. We speak to three producers about what drew them to ‘the jerky life’ and what farmers need to know about this burgeoning sector.

Riverina Jerky / LAVINGTON, NSW RIVERINAJERKY.COM.AU

A vegetarian jerky maker seems quite the oxymoron, but that describes Lisa Cohen, owner and director of Riverina Jerky.

After her husband became addicted to the stuff on a 2009 US holiday, Cohen began making jerky based on her own recipe.

Free of any preservatives, artificial flavours and sugar, her output was so popular among friends and the patrons at the local pub where her husband worked, the couple decided to open their own business in 2012.

“We won our first medal in 2013 and still, to this day, we are the most awarded jerky in Australia,” says Cohen. “We have 16 flavours of jerky, and two of biltong, and we don’t just use beef anymore, but also pork, kangaroo and venison.

We have also released our own line of jerky marinades. It’s our exact recipe, because we want to encourage more people to make their own jerky in Australia.” > MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

61

TREND PROTEIN SNACKS

Despite the health benefits of jerky, especially for people on paleo and keto diets, and the low amount of salt Cohen uses, she says the meat snack continues to have a reputational issue in Australia: “People don’t see it as a healthy, pure protein; they see it as that salty bar snack. We don’t add additional salts, nitrates or any sugar to ours, but the majority of our customers buy it for its flavour.”

Field to Fork / SYDNEY, NSW FIELDTOFORK.NET.AU

Cohen explains that in 2012 there weren’t many Australian competitors, but that has changed in the past eight years. “So many have come and gone because they think they can make a quick buck out of it,” she says. “But it’s not a cheap or quick process.

If you’re going to do it right, it has to be good meat.

The overseas supermarket stuff has a place, but for people that want good quality jerky, there are not as many producers out there.”

Cohen only uses 100 per cent grass-fed beef that is graded YG (Young Beef) so the jerky has a lighter, tender flavour. It also must be completely denuded, so its fat-free, as fat does not cure well and leaves a rancid taste on the palate.

“Australian farmers are very on the ball when it comes to trends,” notes Cohen. “We support local as much as we can, but it’s got to be good quality.

Farmers want to produce the healthiest cattle there is, and we’ve got some very decent producers that have a lot of grass-fed beef. The problem we have is keeping it here. Two months prior to Christmas, we struggle to get meat because it’s all exported. We had to start getting our meat from Gippsland because we couldn’t get any local.”

FAST FACTS

Within the growing global snack segment,  products described as containing protein are growing at a rate of 22 per cent.

In the United States, 14 per cent of 

snacks are beef, but in Australia the figure is around two per cent.

Mintel research from 2017 reveals that 

31 per cent of Australian consumers say they sometimes eat snacks instead of having a meal.

62

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

AWARD -WINNING

Above: Riverina Jerky from Lavington in NSW are Australia’s most awarded jerky makers.

When the Horwitz family decided to open a butcher shop in Bondi back in 2014 there was never a question that biltong wouldn’t be on sale.

“From day one we were making our own biltong,” explains Joshua Horwitz, supply chain manager of Field to Fork. “My parents are both South African and Dad grew up making biltong with his father as a hobby. In our house it was always a treat. When we opened up the store, we knew we had to make our own using my grandfather’s recipe.”

Having expanded to a second location in Vaucluse, each store makes its own biltong twice a week – about 80 kilograms a batch. While both locations have large South African populations, Horwitz says that once people try biltong they often come back for more: “I’d say that not even half our customers that buy biltong would be South African.

A lot of them are just looking for a healthy, highprotein snack.”

Field to Fork only sources grass-fed and pastureraised beef that is hormone and chemical-free, and cure their meat with salt, spices and malt vinegar overnight in the cooling room. They then hang it in a purpose-built drying chamber for 72 hours before it’s air-dried.

For such a labour-intensive process, biltong is actually made with lesser cuts, such as silversides and topsides. Horwitz notes that making biltong is a great way to use the cuts a butcher would ordinarily mince, but the product has proved so popular, they have to buy extra grass-fed silverside every week to meet demand.

Jerky vs Biltong JERKY

BILTONG

ORIGIN

North and South America

South Africa

TYPICAL MARINADE

Salt and pepper, soy sauce

Vinegar and spices

PREPARATION

Dried or cooked on a rack (dehydrated). Often smoked

Hung up and air-dried. Never smoked

TASTE

Dry and smoky

Meaty and flavourful

SERVED

Pre-sliced before drying

Whole or sliced after drying

“As it grows in popularity, it’s going to be really important for farmers to pay attention,” says Horwitz. “You wouldn’t want to be selling silverside for too little when a butcher shop or producer is going to take it and have a huge mark-up on it.

Silverside might become one of the most desirable cuts in Australia, as it is in South Africa.”

BYRON BEEF JERKY’S PULVERISED JERKY SALAD INGREDIENTS

• 2 baby cos hearts • 1 medium tub of tabbouleh • 1 medium tub of split green Mediterranean olives • 1 small block of feta • Your favourite jerky METHOD MEAT TREATS

Byron Beef Jerky is stocked in Woolworths all along the east coast, independent carriers like service stations and the business’s own biltong retail outlets.

Byron Beef Jerky / BANGALOW, NSW BYRONJERKY.COM

Graham Moule, co-founder of Byron Beef Jerky, established his family farm in the foothills of the Byron Shire hinterland in 2002, and over seven years became the supplier of choice for locally grown salad mixes and herbs. But disease and increasing rains led to failing crops more often than not, and in 2010, with his wife Melissa, Moule looked to find a more robust and stable product.

“We were looking for something that had a better shelf life. I’m South African and making biltong was something most of us learned as little kids,” explains Moule. “We started with biltong, but the local market was much more aware of what jerky was. People thought all jerky was rubbery, sugary, red leather kind of stuff. But that’s not what jerky is. We always opt for the lowest sugar options, no added hormones and the meat must be grass-fed.”

Today, Byron Beef Jerky is stocked in Woolworths all along the east coast, independent carriers like service stations and the business’s own biltong retail outlets. But despite there being no need anymore, the Moules still love to set up a stand at farmers markets and local shows.

“With our retail outlets, markets and shows we engage about 10,000 people a week, giving out tasters and samples and explaining our story,” says Moule. “Now that’s five million tasters we’ve done in 10 years, to build our brand and awareness of jerky. The people that buy from us are aware of what nitrates and sugars do to your body. They need healthy snacks, so you’re talking tradespeople, athletes, trail walkers and mums. Mothers are so important to us, as we are parents too, and we want to make sure what we give our children is healthy and chemical-free just like they do.” l

From the top, cut cos lettuce across at intervals of 4cm (or whatever suits your bowl). Peel off inner leaves from the core as you get closer to the bottom. Place in bowl, throw in tabbouleh and olives, then break off small pieces of feta over the whole thing.

Mix gently.

In a blender or food processor, blend jerky until almost powdered.

For added flavour and aroma, serve salad with as much jerky as you like on top. The tabbouleh and feta will already be quite tasty so no dressing is needed other than a bit of olive oil.

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

63

BUSINESS EASTCOAST BEVERAGES

64

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

Worth the Squeeze Eastcoast Beverages is one of the few remaining family-owned and operated fruit juice companies in Australia, growing, picking, squeezing and selling fruit, juice and other products with as much passion and commitment as three generations of the Lentini family can muster.

–

Words MICHAEL SHEATHER

S

am Lentini of Eastcoast Beverages often jokes that he was born with fruit juice running through his veins instead of blood.

“This business, it’s just something that I was born to do,” says Sam, one of the third generation of Lentini fruit growers now working in the company that has been providing quality fruit, juice and beverages since the family picked its first crop on a 60-hectare farm in 1965.

In fact, his involvement in the business started while he was still at high school. Young Sam, as he is known among the family, started his career with a schoolbag full of fruit juice he’d taken from the packing shed.

“I’d take the juice packs in my bag instead of books and I’d sell them to a couple of the kids at school,” recalls Sam. “With the money I made from those sales, I bought some more and managed to build up my own little business. Suddenly here I was making $400-$500 a week as a teenager selling juice in the schoolyard.” > MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

65

BUSINESS EASTCOAST BEVERAGES

Unfortunately for Sam, the canteen got wind of his sales and tried to shut him down. But Sam wasn’t hearing a word of it. “I got some mates to run the juice undercover for me,” he says. “I’d take it to school and transfer it to their bags, then they would do the drop around the playground. We’d even drop off a couple of bottles to certain teachers to make sure they looked the other way.”

Sam Lentini is now the managing director of his family’s business, based in the Mangrove Mountain area of the NSW Central Coast, a rich fruit-and-vegetable-producing area that services the wider Sydney basin.

Today, they oversee a flourishing business that at its peak produces as much as 200,000 litres of juice a week, as well as more than 40 different products.

These include their own branded springwater, all of which are sold throughout NSW, Queensland and Victoria in both major supermarkets and smaller local stores.The Lentinis have farmed their property since family patriarch Salvatore Lentini first came to the area looking to establish a citrus farm.

“Salvatore Lentini was my great-grandfather,” says Sam. “I am one of the third generation of my family to work in this business and farm this land, and that means a great deal to all of us. Unlike a lot of juice companies around the place, our story is not fictitious. Some companies like to trade on the image of being family-run but they aren’t. We’re the real deal.”

Salvatore was an Italian immigrant who packed everything he owned into a suitcase in the late 1950s and headed to Australia to establish a new life for his young family.

“Back then he settled in Cabramatta, which was an agricultural area filled with market gardens producing fruit and vegetables for the Sydney markets,” says Sam. “He grew tomatoes on a plot but he always dreamed big. After a couple of years he picked out some land at Mangrove Mountain, where we are today, and scraped together enough money to buy 150 acres. He cleared it himself with a combination of hard work, sweat and a lot of explosives to get rid of the tree stumps.”

Salvatore established an orchard growing oranges, limes and other varieties of citrus fruit, which he and his sons Mick, Sam and Frank packed into boxes and bins before Mick drove them to Sydney Market, then located at Haymarket in the city.

This was profitable, and Salvatore and his family flourished until a major part of their established business model was suddenly swept away in the late 1980s.

The government removed tariffs on imported fruit juice concentrate. Local fruit juice companies that purchased the Lentini’s second-grade fruit for juice suddenly disappeared as they transferred their business to the cheaper concentrates from overseas.

It was a devastating blow, but it gave rise to a daring new plan. Mick, Sam and Frank (now in charge, with Salvatore taking a back seat in

66

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

“Some companies like to trade on the image of being family-run but they aren’t.

We’re the real deal.”

BROTHERS IN ARMS

Above: Sam (left) and Mick Lentini (right), along with other brother Frank, made several bold moves over the years to keep the company successful.

retirement) decided to direct the business in a new direction: if they couldn’t sell to juice companies, they would make their own.

The move was a bold one by any estimation, requiring major investment in terms of machinery and infrastructure – juice extractors, refrigeration units, sterilisation equipment and transportation infrastructure, just to name a few – and loans worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“It was a pretty big decision and a significant investment, but we took a leap of faith and put everything we had into it at the time,” says Sam. “The family put in the essential equipment to get the juicing operation going, but we added other equipment later, as the business expanded.”

As they soon discovered, the challenge was not just to sell a new product but also to develop a more sophisticated understanding and, at the same time, a market for a product the public didn’t really get.

“Back in those days, people didn’t really understand much about fresh juice,” says Sam. “The public thought that all juice was made from juice

concentrate. So it was quite challenging to get our buyers to adapt and spend more money on a better-quality product. That was in the 1990s when we took that on.

“Basically, we had to develop our own markets.

A lot of customers couldn’t see the value in paying more for a premium product. But slowly we started to convince other juice companies to buy our juice, which they then mixed with concentrate to create a product that was both higher quality than concentrate alone and more attractive to consumers.”

That decision gave them the volume they required and more importantly the financial breathing space.

“With that we found a niche in the market that we happily occupied for a number of years,” explains Sam. “Until we began to notice a community shift that had the potential to move the business to the next level. We started to see demand for a fresher product, and we created our own juices to meet that demand. We sourced fruit from other local suppliers here on the Central Coast and other parts of the state as the demand increased.”

Sam, who joined Eastcoast Beverages after he finished high school, spent years getting to know the business from the ground up, working in all aspects of production. Eventually, he took a hand in helping stimulate that demand by partnering with local radio stations to push the family story behind their product.

“The market today is a completely different place to the market of 20 to 30 years ago when we started to juice our fruit,” says Sam. “Customers want to know that their fresh juice comes from a family such

HAND S ON

Above: Farmers like Ross Hitchcock (on tractor) supply citrus and other fruits to Eastcoast Beverages.

as ours, that we take care and have passion about it. I wanted people to know that story because it’s a story that connects people with the product.”

In fact, the family proved to be its own best marketing plan. Today, the company employs 30 staff, many of whom are Lentinis – aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers and sisters – and casual staff from the local area.

Sam is proud of his family’s achievements, but admits that working as a family unit can have its challenges, especially when strong personalities are involved. However, at its core it’s a business that not only moves in the same direction but has the ability to react with agility to changing market conditions.

“That’s how we have been able to grow, by adapting over time to the market,” Sam says. “You have to have the ability to give the customer what they want and to take a risk at the right time. But at the heart of it all is determining what the customer wants.

That’s always been our focus and it probably always will be.” l MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

67

BUSINESS FRUIT PICKING

68

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

Who will pick Australia’s

fruit?

With new restrictions on foreign workers entering the country, we have a looming seasonal labour shortage.

What are the potential solutions?

I

–

Words IAN NEUBAUER

n March, as the coronavirus pandemic tore through the global economy like a wrecking ball, NFF President Fiona Simson attended an emergency phone meeting of Federal, State and Territory agriculture ministers to discuss the nation’s food security.

During the meeting, Simson highlighted several “pressure points” that could disrupt Australia’s food supply chain, such as access to imported farming inputs and state border closures.

But the most immediate concern was losing the foreign workers that farmers need to pick fruit and vegetables amid the exodus of tourists and migrant workers, and the ban on new foreigners entering Australia. “The horticulture sector relies on foreign workers to pick and pack the fresh fruit and vegetables Australians depend on every day,” Simson explained.

Adds Guy Gaeta, NSW Farmers Horticulture Committee chair and a cherry farmer in Orange, “We rely heavily on backpackers to pick our fruit in November. At the moment there are still quite a few backpackers around but with no more coming in, we don’t know what we’re going to do.”

With more than one million Australians now out of work and claiming social security, Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud urged the newly unemployed to work in farming, and fruit picking in particular.

Many of the newly unemployed were quick to raise their hands and thousands

have joined the Farms Jobs Australia Facebook page. But Jo-Anne Fahey of the Darkes Group, a fifth generation apple orchard and cider brewery 20km north of Wollongong, says that it’s not as easy as simply employing people with no previous experience on farms.

“As soon as the crisis started we started getting phone calls from people who have never been on farms pleading for work: a CEO in the tourism industry, a café owner who said they have eight hardworking staff, a scuba-diving instructor,” she says. “But I know it won’t work because I’ve been there and done that. A few we can break-in but that takes time and money and none of these people who have lost their jobs want to become farmers. They want to make money to pay the bills and go back to their old lives.”

The failed $27.5 million Seasonal Work Incentives Trial, which allowed people on Newstart to earn up to $5000 a year from farm work without it affecting their payments, substantiates some of Fahey’s claims. When the two-year trial wrapped up in 2019, only 333 out of 7600 places had been filled. “It just demonstrates the fact there’s a whole lot of jobs in our economy that are very difficult to find Australians to do,” Ausveg CEO James Whiteside told the ABC at the time.

The solution, fruit farmers and the Nationals have long said, is a dedicated agricultural work visa.

“If we already had an agricultural visa, then the foreigners who are already here could stay with us for longer and we wouldn’t have to retrain all the time,” > MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

69

BUSINESS FRUIT PICKING

Apps and pears

FUTURE PRO OFING

The current crisis is more than just getting fruit picked, it’s also a welfare issue where farmers want to protect the future livelihoods of their workers and other visitors.

Jo-Anne says, referring to the 140,000 backpackers and 7000 Pacific Island workers on temporary visas who did not or could not leave Australia when it was still an option in March.

Brett Price, director at recruitment firm Agricultural Appointments, agrees: “It would be a very good move for the nation. Also keep in mind that those backpackers can’t apply for social security and will be desperate. They aspire for this kind of work anyway. They have the right mindset.”

In his response, Minister Littleproud said he was working with the Department of Home Affairs to adjust the visa status of backpackers and seasonal workers.

“Maintaining food production, access to workers, agricultural supply lines, transportation and logistics is absolutely critical and will not be affected by any of the measures aimed at curbing the virus’s spread,” the minister explained. “We are confident that with some minor tweaking of visas and visa conditions that we’ll be able to provide that continuity of supply – and that will be from the farm gate right through to the supermarket.”

But it’s about more than getting fruit off trees or keeping supermarket shelves stocked, says apple grower Fahey; it’s about safeguarding the welfare of visitors who, like so many of us, are down on their luck. “They are nice young people who came here with good intentions,” she says. “I would like to think that if my child was in their country in similar situations, I would want someone to help them.” l

70

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

A new app is aiming to connect growers and pickers at a crucial time for the industry.

The Back Picker app reduces the need for third party labour hire and unites growers and pickers directly.

Producers and workers can register their availability plus secure things like accommodation prior to work commencing.

Back Picker’s founder David Fevaleaki’s knowledge of the industry has helped him identify where the greatest needs lie.

He grew up in Robinvale, north western Victoria, near the NSW border, and is the son of migrant parents who worked for 30 years on table grape and almond farms.

“For growers, COVID-19 is another of the many obstacles they always face,” Fevaleaki says.

“The government is getting behind them but there is uncertainty around best work practices and what the rules are around self-isolation. That’s where we can also help.”

Back Picker is available for download on the app stores and farming businesses are invited to register on the platform as early adopters. The company says it will work closely with businesses and job seekers that have been impacted by COVID19 and will quickly develop innovative solutions to manage the current crisis.

Go to: backpicker.com.au.

SPOTLIGHT

That’s the spirit Spirit distilleries and other companies are fighting the good fight during the COVID-19 pandemic and are producing much needed hand sanitiser.

The Australian spirit is alive and well amid the coronavirus crisis.

Step in the likes of Cape Byron Distillery near Byron Bay, who in the matter of a few weeks went from seeing a massive need for hand sanitiser to delivering a high quality product en masse to local medical centres and the general public.

“In mid-March we could see the global pandemic becoming a problem here in Australia and that people were more aware of staying clean,” says their Head of Sales and Marketing Matt Barnett.

“There was talk of a global shortage in hand sanitiser and all the local shelves were empty. It was initially a bit of a no-brainer for us as we have access to a lot of high-proof alcohol and the expertise in producing it.”

That know-how came via Cape Byron Distillery co-founder, and

former practising doctor, Pamela Brook who helped formulate the recipe. Their sanitiser uses all natural ingredients including 70 per cent ethanol, bi-products of the production of their Brookie’s Gin, UV and charcoal filtered Mt Warning spring water, vegetable glycerine, aloe vera and citrus oil.

Black Chicken Remedies, the Sydney-based beauty product company that only uses the highest quality natural and organic ingredients, have seen their hand sanitiser sales take off.

“The demand for hand sanitiser has taken over meaning we are working around the clock to fulfil orders,” says CEO and founder Chey Birch.

“The first batch sold out within four hours. We had massive waitlists for more but within a week we were able to get back into production.”

“The demand for hand sanitiser has taken over meaning we are working around the clock to fulfil orders.”

BLACK CHICKEN REMEDIES CEO AND FOUNDER CHEY BIRCH

What’s in the bottle?

BLACK CHICKEN REMEDIES HAND SANITISER

Manly Spirits co-owner Vanessa Wilton was astounded after seeing a $45 bottle of hand sanitiser in her local pharmacy. Manly Spirits now offer their own hand sanitiser to businesses and the public for a fraction of the cost of others.

“I did make a scene in the pharmacy saying this is price gouging and just plain un-Australian and I wasn’t going to stand for it.”

• 80% ethanol alcohol • Cocos nucifera • Organic vegetable glycerin • Citrus limon • Melaleuca alternifolia • Mentha piperita • Lavandula augustifolia *All ingredients Australian-sourced

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

71

What’s in the Box?

72

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

BUSINESS HOME DELIVERY BOOM

Fresh food box delivery services across the country are thriving amid a business boom as customers search for a safer alternative to shopping in the supermarket – and that means an upturn in demand for primary producers.

Could we be on the cusp of a fundamental change to the way we buy our food?

–

Words MICHAEL SHEATHER

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

73

BUSINESS HOME DELIVERY BOOM

J

ust a few short weeks ago Steve Grace’s delivery service, Bello Food Box, was packing somewhere between 80 to 100 boxes of fresh produce each week for distribution around the Bellingen area of the NSW North Coast, about halfway between Sydney and Brisbane.

But from almost the first moment the Federal Government announced public restrictions on business and movement in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, his steady trickle of orders became an overwhelming deluge.

“Three or four weeks later, I still struggle to get my head around it,” says Grace, a former café owner who runs Bello Food Box in partnership with his wife Amy from their 40-hectare property Hidden River. “It’s just astounding. I am getting between 80 to 100 orders a day from right across the region. And that is constant.

It’s the most amazing upturn I have ever seen, and it’s been all we can do just to keep up with it.”

Bello Food Box is hardly alone. Right across Australia, food box delivery services are booming. In the wake of the Coronavirus shutdown, consumers are clamouring for a way to access fresh fruit, vegetables, meats and every type of grocery item without exposing themselves to the crowds that have descended on

74

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

HAND S FULL

Above: Steve Grace from Bello Food Box in the Bellingen area was packing between 80 and 100 boxes of fresh produce a week. He’s now doing that in a day following the outbreak of COVID-19.

traditional vendors such as supermarkets and shopping centres.

It’s difficult to put an exact number on the astonishing increase this sector has experienced in recent weeks. Many analysts are still catching up with the steep increase in demand and what it means for these business owners.

However, anecdotally, many operators are reporting being inundated with orders up 200 to 300 per cent above their regular turnover, while others have doubled their workforce and volume almost overnight.

What is truly remarkable is the boom is not just for the dominant market players such as the citybased HelloFresh, Dinnerly or Marley Spoon. These businesses are based on volume driven by extensive advertising campaigns and rely on established supply chains through wholesalers and market operators.

This boom is different. Yes, the big players are all experiencing sharp upturns, but so are the little guys.

It is seeping right down to the grassroots, with a corresponding flow-on effect for primary producers right across the nation. And that surge is of such an extent that it has many wondering whether the crisis, which has confined us all, may well have also unleashed economic and social forces that will fundamentally change how we shop and do business.

“We have always listened to our suppliers and the market. The number of local growers is relatively small and has never been able to produce enough food to feed the community. As such we have always supplemented our local produce with a delivery from Brisbane Markets that helps us cover seasonal variation and meet consumer demand.

“In the past, that delivery was once a week. Now it’s twice a week. Three weeks ago, I was packing the boxes with the help of three staff and the deliveries were split between me and another driver.

Today it’s me and eight other packers and an additional driver.”

Grace says that in terms of storage, he was already well set up before the surge: “Our packing shed is extremely well insulated, and I have two big coolrooms to keep produce fresh. I built the shed a year ago with enough room to handle expansion, so in terms of infrastructure all I have had to do is install extra shelving to handle volume. I have never felt at any stage that we couldn’t handle the extra load. You could call it luck or good management, but I feel pretty lucky right now.”

Recently, Richardson employed 32 people at Doorstep Organics, a business started by his parents as a socially based food co-op more than 30 years ago. He has just employed his 70th staff member.

“It’s been a steep learning curve during the past few weeks trying to keep up with demand,” he says.

“We were doing 1000 boxes a week just a short while ago and now we are doing more than 2300 boxes.

Our output and revenues have more than doubled and as a result I have doubled the number of staff so we can meet supply.” >

“I honestly believe that this crisis is a catalyst for a revolution in how both business and consumers will relate and interact with each other in the future,” says Peter Richardson, CEO and owner of Doorstep Organics, a mid-range food box delivery business servicing the Sydney region.

“The upturn we have seen during the past few weeks is incredible,” he says. “It is so big and so profound that I simply can’t see that it will just disappear when we are through this crisis.

“We could well be doing this for many months to come and by the time we come out the other end it’s possible that most commerce will be ordered online, delivered to your door in the home where you work remotely for a business that no longer needs big expensive offices in the city centre. This could be a game-changer for everything.”

It already has been for Steve Grace. His sales have increased to about 400 boxes a week, which has brought with it a corresponding increase in both cashflow and work. But it also presents problems, especially around supply and variety.

“That’s an enormous amount of growth in a very short time,” he says. “I’ve had to put on extra staff to work in our packing shed, which is on the outskirts of Bellingen, near the highway, for ease of access and delivery.

Reaching out to farmers Aggie Global is a social business creating a virtuous food supply chain, making positive social impact for farmers and buyers alike.

It is run by sisters Zoe and Lisa Paisley, who grew up in western Sydney. And they have a message for NSW farmers.

“With everything going on, Aggie Global is investigating the best way to connect farmers to buyers directly,” says Zoe. “We want to support Aussie farmers in meeting the increased demand from consumers. The idea is to partner with home food delivery services to increase the amount of food they source locally, while easing the logistics for farmers in supplying to individual consumers.”

Under the Paisleys’ plan, consumers would receive farmer stories along with their produce, to highlight where their food has come from and how their purchasing has helped farmers and their families.

If you want a say in how they approach this, please contact them at hello@aggieglobal.com or visit their website: aggieglobal.com.

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

75

BUSINESS HOME DELIVERY BOOM

Doorstep Organics deals in organic produce sourced from all over the country – bananas from Queensland, butternut pumpkins from northern NSW – but its suppliers all have one thing in common: a personal relationship with Peter Richardson.

“We began as a family business and though we are bigger, we are still very much a family business,” he explains. “One supplier from Ellerslie in southern NSW has been with us for decades and they were suppliers to my mum and dad when they ran the business.

That’s something we are very proud of and something I worked hard at to continue.

“I have always believed that you don’t just buy produce from a farmer. You become part of their life.

It’s about relationships, not just money. That’s why our suppliers have all done their utmost to help us meet demand in the past few weeks. They have all done that.”

Richardson reorganised the business a few years ago, building a bigger packing and storage facility to encompass future expansion. “Everything we did

76

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

ORGANIC GROWTH

Above: Peter Richardson, CEO and owner of Doorstep Organics, says: “The upturn we have seen during the past few weeks is incredible. It is so big and so profound that I simply can’t see that it will just disappear when we are through this crisis.”

was an investment in infrastructure to scale,” he says.

“We invested with future expansion in mind: large modern coolrooms, packing facilities, even a fleet of new trucks, so we have coped quite well. Even so, it’s only now with the additional staff that we feel that we are getting on top of it.”

Richardson says the past few weeks have been difficult but exciting, too. “I like to run a dynamic business that reacts immediately,” he says. “With skyrocketing demand I have been interviewing staff and sending them straight out onto the packing floor at the end of the interview. We had to be decisive if we were going to make it work – and we are.”

Murat Keskin started his business, Ooooby (Out of our own back yards), seven years ago when he packed 13 boxes of produce in the backyard of his inner-city Sydney sharehouse.

“I came to this business because I wanted to create something that added to the community that I live in,” he says. “I concentrate on the inner-city areas of Sydney. We are a relatively small and simple operation but the demand we have seen in recent weeks is incredible. We were packing around 400 boxes a week but today we have just finished packing more than 1100 boxes. It’s incredible.”

Keskin regularly employs 30 people, but has now doubled that workforce to almost 60. “Nobody expected us to triple our business overnight but that is what has happened,” he says. “The only reason we were able to cope with that was because we have such a great crew of human beings who have worked together through this. It’s been a challenge, but I also feel fulfilled and proud of the people here.

“Everyone is employed on a casual basis but after this is over, who knows? We don’t really know where this is going. There are still a lot of questions. Will they stay and stick with it afterwards? How many will stay?

How many will go? There are no answers yet. I think it will all depend on how we serve people during this crisis. And if we manage to touch their hearts then perhaps they will stay with us.

“I think what is going on here is a fundamental change to our lives. People are far more powerful than they imagine. Our business is built on the connections we have made with our community and with our farmers and suppliers. What I am seeing is that people must make change, to do something that will make a difference. Our choices have consequences and in making them you can change the way the world works even in something small such as how you buy your food.”

That’s a sentiment echoed by Grace: “I think this is the start of a really good shake-up for all of us. I think it will make people think about how they consume, what they consume and where they choose to consume from. We all must start thinking about our environmental footprint, and what and how we consume has a direct relationship to the size of that footprint. So, if we all start to support local farmers and local food via an online platform, that has all sorts of trickle-down effects. If we’re lucky, there might be a lot of silver linings to this crisis.” l

SPOTLIGHT

Families in Farming NSW Farmers understand how important it is to highlight how many families we have across our state that have stuck together through the good times, and the bad.

Here are ten family-focused features to look back upon…

We met the George family, who have been farming Forest Grove, a 1,600 hectare property in Nevertire in Central West NSW, since 1912.

The new generation that is now dominated by women, grow grazing and cash crops, and run Dorper sheep and Black Angus cattle.

OCTOBER 2019

We caught up with the owner of Royston Petrie Seeds – Rowena Petrie – who has created a booming business in Mudgee selling a huge array of seeds, many of them rare. The small family-run business found an exciting niche in an industry that is normally dominated by multinationals with deep pockets.

>

>

Retired second generation farmer Mary Pace, 77, founded her turkey farm with husband Guido in Sydney’s south-west. “I wanted my children to have a good education and get jobs as solicitors or accountants, but they’re all turkey growers and I’m proud of what they’ve achieved,” Mary said.

AUGUST 2019

>

DEC 2019 - JAN 2020

From pasture to the shopping trolley, we discovered that the Mawhood brothers of Oberon have all aspects of the meat supply chain covered. “We could supply more, but we are worried about losing our consistent, quality product of what we do. We are happy where we are – but we are always working on the brand.”

the ranks and the family have recently started to see some good profits in a niche industry.

After their father passed away in 2016, Rachel Nicholl, 32, and her younger brother Aaron run their family farm in Hampton, 30km south of Lithgow in the NSW Central Tablelands. All under the eye of their mentor mother, Vicki.

We loved meeting these go-getters.

We headed to Central NSW and met Barbara Deans and her family, who run a 4,800-hectare enterprise. Their 500 hectare property called Kamira near Coonamble, has been earmarked for the route of the inland rail.

But nothing will stop this determined family.

We travelled to Kirkconnell Farm in the NSW Central Tablelands and met vegetable growers Quentin and Lesley Brand, and their sons Harry, Alexander and Tobias. Harry, who is involved in organics, has created a new line of vegetable powders. >

Twenty years ago, Phil and Penny Henly decided to start farming emus, for their lean red meat and their valuable oil, which they have found to have an incredible effect on alleviating arthritis. Today their daughter Nicole and her husband have joined

MAY 2019

APRIL 2019 JULY 2019

SEPTEMBER 2019

30 years in the bush to buy his own farm. He has no interest in retiring from the business he now runs with his son Rod. >

NOVEMBER 2019

We caught up with the Tongue family on one of their properties in the Tamworth region, who have learnt over the generations to diversify and work on a mix of cropping and livestock.

Today they do everything from wheat, sheep and wool to managing pigs and cattle. >

FEB-MARCH 2020

JUNE 2019

We were honoured to meet octogenarian beef producer Clyde Blair, who grew up on a dairy farm in the Nambucca Valley and returned to the area after

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

77

Pollination services assured for NSW farmers Beekeepers have had a challenging few years with drought, bushfire and COVID-19 restrictions all impacting the sector but pollination services for farmers are assured for this year.

–

Words DARREN BAGULEY

W

hile recent widespread rain in the state is bringing hope that the drought may finally be breaking, the past several years have been tough for all primary producers and beekeepers are no exception. What some say is the worst drought in 200 years was followed by bushfires then the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to NSW Apiarists’ Association president Stephen Targett, honey production is down 50 per cent and the bushfires cost many beekeepers their hives and bees, particularly in the Batemans Bay and Tumbarumba areas. “In NSW, just under 10,000 hives were destroyed and, in some cases, the fire went over the apiary because it was in a cleared area,” he says.

“But the surrounding bush burned and around 90,000 field bees were lost. Many of those hives won’t recover in time to go down south for the almond pollination season in July and August so it’s a double whammy for beekeepers.”

It’s not all gloom and doom, however. After widespread rain in bushfire-affected areas, the bush is starting to regenerate as trees sprout new growth. “It’s good that the trees are not dead,” says Targett. “But they’re not going to be producing any usable nectar or pollen, which is what the bees need, for five years. But now there is soil moisture we are seeing some weeds and other species coming up. This is good for pollen and nectar, which will help the bees build up their reserves to get through winter.”

Every year, 150,000 hives, each with 15,000 to 20,000 bees, are transported into Australia’s almond-growing areas to provide pollination services, but 2020 is an uncertain year for NSW beekeepers; the almond industry has yet to advise bee brokers of the prices it will be paying for pollination services.

“It has been disappointing the almond industry hasn’t come out with a price for bee brokers early,” says Targett. “We must feed bees sugar syrup and pollen before the end of May to get them to breed up a bit so there are more bees that are in better condition for the almond pollination season. Sugar syrup is cheap, but pollen is not – and then there’s the time spent in feeding. As a beekeeper I need to make a business decision as to whether or not I do that, and some beekeepers are making the decision to not feed the bees over winter because they’re not sure they’ll get a good enough price to justify the expense.”

While there may be some doubt as to whether there will be sufficient bees coming out of NSW for the almond pollination season, Targett is emphatic that NSW farmers needing pollination services this year will receive them. Tree crops such as cherries, apples, pears and blueberries all require pollination services, as do annual seed crops being exported to the Northern Hemisphere such as lucerne, carrot, canola and onion.

“Pollination time can be very hard on bees,” explains Targett. “Blueberries, for example, have low-grade pollen and not a lot of nectar, so each beekeeper is going

78

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

PERSONAL PROTECTION

Right: Some beekeepers are making the decision to not feed their bees over winter because they’re not sure they’ll get a good enough price to justify the expense.

ENVIRONMENT BEEKEEPING

Why we need bees POLLINATION

About 53 different food crops in Australia’s agriculture industry depend on bee pollination for production.

HEALTH

Propolis (a mixture of bee saliva, beeswax and botanical fluid) is used on sores, wounds and infections, while bee venom is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

HONEY

The bee is the only insect that produces a food consumed by humans.

BIODIVERSITY

Bees play an important role in the life cycle of most plants and flowers.

to have to make the decision whether to provide pollination services for themselves. There will be enough bees for other crops, but those crops may need to pay a bit more.”

One factor going the industry’s way is that COVID19 pandemic restrictions are causing few issues for beekeepers within Australia. The border between NSW and Victoria remains open – although there is some concern that if the Victorian border is closed between mid-July and the end of August, the almond crop may be at risk. Beekeepers wishing to take their hives north into Queensland will need to seek a permit as the border is closed. For any beekeeper on the road, whether they are moving or checking hives, Targett says the association urges members to travel with documents such as bee registration, primary producer declaration and ABN registration so they can easily prove their commercial status.

For beekeepers serving markets outside Australia, however, COVID-19 is causing major issues and loss of income. Orange-based Charlie and Brenda Casido run Australian Queen Bee Line, exporting a range of products all over the world including queen bees, honeycomb and royal jelly. Due to commercial airline flights effectively ceasing to operate, the Casidos have seen an 80 per cent decline in exports this year.

“There was an increased amount of paperwork which made it more difficult to export but now there are very few flights out of Australia,” they say. “We have sent one shipment to the Middle East and four to Canada, but Air Canada flights stopped on April 5 and we don’t know when they’re going to start again.” l MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

79

COMMUNITY FAMILY FARMING

Keeping It in the Family

Since the 80s, the rate of children returning to or staying on the farm where they were raised has dwindled. But are we on the wake of a tidal change?

Words IAN NEUBAUER

F

arms in Australia have traditionally been family businesses passed on to successive generations. But the number of farming families has declined 15 per cent per decade since the 1980s, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The average age of farmers is also rising and now stands at 56, while only 24 per cent of Australian farmers are under 35.

The aggregation of smaller farms into larger operations is partly to blame, as are declining profit margins – particularly in NSW, where drought has forced many family members to find work off the farm. Yet according to a CSIRO research paper on the future of Australia’s agricultural workforce, the decline is largely due to the migration of youth from the country to work and study in the cities.

But shortly after the coronavirus pandemic hit Australia in March, chatter on social media suggested the long-held trend had started to reverse. In this report, we speak with three young intergenerational farmers – in different industries and circumstances – to see how they have been affected by the crisis.

80

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

Through the good and the bad

A

fter Nick Hammond graduated from high school, he left the family cattle farm near Oberon in the Central Tablelands of NSW to pursue a metal fabrication apprenticeship in Sydney. After that, he travelled overseas and found work training horses on a ranch in America.

“Growing up on a farm, you couldn’t have a better childhood, so I always wanted to come back,” he says. “But at that time the business wasn’t big enough for both my parents and I to make a living. That all changed when they bought a rural supply store and I started running the farm. I also bought two more properties and expanded our holdings from 1200 to 3000 acres.”

Now 35, Hammond believes he’d be in a better financial position had he stayed in a trade. “There’s no question you work bloody hard as a farmer. You put in really long hours and sometimes get very little in return,” he says. “But at the end of the day that’s what farming is about: you have good years and bad years. We’ve had many bad years of drought but there was a fair bit of rain at the start of this year, so this is shaping up as a good one. Even before the coronavirus, prices for beef and lamb were seeing unbelievable growth. Now with the economy shutting down, the agriculture industry is holding up the country so fingers crossed the growth will continue.”

A very good egg

I

n 2016, after their father passed away, Rachel Nicoll and her brother Aaron took over the family business – a 65-hectare free-range egg and cattle farm in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney. But at the time they did not regard the farm as a viable source of income and got jobs at a nearby fireworks factory. “We de-stocked the cattle during the drought and basically turned the family farm into a significantly smaller enterprise that could allow us to hold down full-time jobs,” Rachel says.

In March the Nicolls, along with more than a million other Australians, saw their jobs disappear overnight because of the coronavirus pandemic.

But instead of applying for welfare, the Nicolls hit the ground running at the family farm.

“The shelf life of eggs now is about the same as toilet paper so there is a huge untapped potential in the market right now,” says Nicoll, 33.

“We’re trying to ramp-up production but there will be a time lag until that actually happens.

We’re also looking at other opportunities that have come out of the coronavirus crisis, such as planting more chestnut trees because there’s lots of interest from Korea and Singapore. Everything is on the table now.

“Times like this highlight the fact that agriculture is the backbone of Australia and when a crisis hits, the industry is particularly resilient.

Many of our regions in NSW have just come out of drought and bushfire and are now providing all the food people are crying out for. I have a lot more confidence now in the opportunities agriculture can provide for young farmers.”

“Times like this highlight the fact that agriculture is the backbone of Australia.”

FAMILY TIES

Above: Toby and Mac Wilson on their farm near Crookwell in the Southern Tablelands.

Patience & compromise

I

n 1947, Mac Wilson’s father bought 600 hectares of land near Crookwell in the Southern Tablelands of NSW and stocked it with sheep and cattle. Mac, now 72, never left the farm; he’s worked there his whole life. His two adult sons however, didn’t follow the same path: one become a welder and the other a teacher. Both still work in their respective fields but are now also working on the farm on weekends while in the throws of a succession – not because of the COVID-19 crisis, just because they love it.

“This way of life is rapidly disappearing and it’s a shame because farming offers so much opportunity to young people and their children. You get a much broader outlook on life growing up on the farm, and you take on responsibilities you never would living in the city,” Mac says. “It’s satisfying for me to have my boys here managing the farm.”

But farming with the next generation isn’t easy; it requires lots of patience and compromise, Mac counsels. “I know how I want things done but that doesn’t always fit in with what they want to do.

But you have to acknowledge their opinions even when you know they’re wrong. It’s one of the things parents have to put up with if they want to pass on their farms.”

Mac’s youngest son, 28-year-old Toby, voices similar sentiments. “We all get along very well but we know of plenty of other farms where families butt heads all the time,” he says. “You also need to have your finances in order because farms are not high cash-flow businesses. I still work as a welder four days a week and spend the rest of my time here.

It’s an easy but I always loved the farm and now that Dad can’t do the work, it’s great to be able to continue where he left off.”

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

81

COMMUNITY NEW GENERATIONS

P OLLA RD P ORK

Pollard Third-generation pig farmer Ean evolve stry has watched the farming indu s Ean’ life. le who in Australia across his into lamb and p shee ght brou family, who tle. the equation, have taken on his man

82

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

“The happier a pig is, the easier your job is.”

The Pollard family has been breeding pigs and sheep in the Young region for 75 years, and now Kiera and Laura are ready to take the reins of the family farm.

Edited by BEV HADGRAFT / Photography by KIM STOREY

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

83

“Dad’s project started with only 40 sows, but as pigs are prolific breeders and grow very quickly, he soon expanded.

In fact, the piggery was nicknamed ‘The Rash’.”

Ean Pollard, 58, owns Westmill Products in Young. He’s Chair of the NSW Farmers’ Pork Committee, and his wife and their daughters, with their partners and children, live on their farm.

M

y father Ron used to run his pigs outdoors. However in 1967 he realised that bringing them indoors would remove negative impacts upon them, such as the weather, and it meant he could more easily monitor their environment, feed, wastage and temperature.

Being the mid-60s, he also figured that freerange pigs were difficult to keep in a designated area. They’d find a hole near a fence and the next thing you knew, they’d be out and about. Even when electric fencing came in, the pigs would run towards the fence, squealing before they even reached it.

At that time there weren’t many indoor piggeries and my grandfather Roly (and the local bank manager) thought it was a bit risky housing pigs indoors, so they wouldn’t lend my father any money to build the sheds he needed.

It meant his project started with only 40 sows, but as pigs are prolific breeders and grow very quickly, he soon expanded. In fact, the piggery was nicknamed ‘The Rash’. Dad was a handy builder and a prolific worker, and when he set to work on something new, some of the cheeky workers would joke, “Oh, the rash is on the spread again.”

One thing my father learnt very early on is that you need to cater for all areas of the business when building a piggery – mating, dry sows, farrowing, weaning, growing – so it’s not just about one shed to increase production.

THE NEXT GENERATION

I was only five years old when Dad tried this new indoor approach, so I hardly ever saw pigs outside, and never even stopped to consider that things should be done differently.

I had more diesel running through my veins than pig husbandry skills however, so after leaving school I took on the farming operation.

This gave Dad more time to get involved in agri-politics. He was a committee member, then Chair of NSW Farmers’ Pork Committee, and heavily involved in the establishment of Australian Pork Ltd, including serving as Chair for three years.

We ran merino wethers and cropped about 1600 hectares of wheat, barley and canola which complemented the piggery side of the business. If you are

84

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

the grower of the grain and also the end user, you’re not worried by the man in the middle taking his bit.

In 2003, mycoplasma pneumoniae spread amongst our pigs. It’s a respiratory disease that affects their growth and performance, and at that time it was difficult to treat, so we completely depopulated our piggery. All our staff had to become builders rather than stockmen, and we completed a huge amount of renovations before restocking with mycoplasma-free stock, which became a closed herd.

It was a massive project and since then we have housed our boars four kilometres away in a separate building, collecting the semen and bringing it back to the breeders on the main farm. This lowers the potential of introducing disease to the main herd.

Because Dad was ill for some time and passed away aged only 72, I’ve been running this piggery since 2005. At the time, we were members of the Grenfell Pork Producers Group. There were 22 of us back then, but due to drought and poor pig prices, there are only a few of us left in the group today. >

COMMUNITY NEW GENERATIONS

A FAMILY AFFAIR

Above: Janine Pollard, Laura Pollard, Kiera Chalker (nee Pollard), Quinn Pollard & Ean Pollard, with farm dog Boss on the banks of the Burragong Creek which runs through their farm in Young, NSW. Left: Ean Pollard with weaner Large White x Landrace pigs.

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

85

COMMUNITY NEW GENERATIONS

THE FUTURE

Above: Laura Pollard & Kiera Chalker (nee Pollard) checking canola at Westmill Products. Right: Kiera Chalker (nee Pollard) & Laura Pollard walking through their Large White x Landrace sows.

86

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

“When Dad retires or slows up a bit, Kiera and I will tackle everything together. That’s our future as I see it.”

Laura Pollard, 25, recently found her yearbook from Year Six. Under the heading “What do you want to be when you grow up?” she’d written “Farmer”.

DAUGHTERS ON THE FARM

I always loved doing that stuff city kids miss out on. I would sit in front of Dad on the quad bike and pretend I was the one driving to move the sheep, and he was happy to go along with that because it meant he had a gate-opener. I also loved working in the farrowing sheds, especially moving the weaners. I thought it was the coolest thing ever, seeing around 400 weaner pigs running around with their ears and tails going as they moved down the passageway.

I completed a Bachelor of Agriculture then came straight back to the farm, which worked well for me.

I’d just met my partner Tom, who also lives in Young, so I really didn’t want to move away.

My sister Kiera was also back on the family farm with her husband, and Dad asked us if we all wanted to buy some shares in sheep. We bought some wethers at first but then last year Kiera found a mob of 400 ewes that were scanned in lamb. We asked Dad if we could go halves with him and he agreed, on the condition that we looked after everything.

I was a bit surprised that Dad agreed because we hadn’t run ewes on the farm before, but it has been a

great learning experience for us all. For instance, last winter we had a cold snap and it was near freezing when the first ewes started lambing, so unfortunately we lost a few lambs. But the rest are going really well and even though this was our first experience, it has not shied us from sticking with the ewes.

When the animal activists broke into our family piggery, I was overseas on my gap year. I was very homesick, so Mum and Dad didn’t tell me until they came over to visit. I would have wanted to come home if I’d known. I was really upset at the time but knew I couldn’t do anything to help. Since I have come back, I have realised it still affects me, especially when cars go past at night. I’ll check to see if they keep going and that they don’t come down our driveway. Before the animal activists broke in, I didn’t worry about anything like that.

I really love working with my family. Dad is very smart and a great role model. He’s taught us to back ourselves and if it doesn’t work, to learn from our mistakes and try again a different way. When he retires or slows up a bit, Kiera and I will tackle everything together. That’s our future as I see it. >

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

87

“The thing that really surprises everyone when you explain more about piggeries, is how productive pigs are, especially in comparison to cattle and sheep.”

Kiera Pollard is 29, and her favourite memory growing up is working in the farrowing sheds with her sister.

G

rowing up, Laura and I worked in the farrowing sheds with another lady, who treasured this notebook for all the records. It sat in her pocket and we were never allowed to touch it.

When she moved on, her replacement gave us the notebook and it felt like such a promotion. I reckon it was one of the best days of our lives!

After I left school, I went to university to study a Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management. People were really interested when I said I came from a pig farm. It was something no-one else knew much about, and it was great to be able to educate them.

The thing that really surprises everyone when you explain more about piggeries, is how productive pigs are, especially in comparison to cattle and sheep.

When I first met my husband Brent, he couldn’t believe how many litters a sow had in a year. He asked, “How long to grow them out for market? And how much would you sell them for?” Then I saw him working it out on his calculator and he turned to me amazed and said “Wow!”.

After my degree, although I knew I wanted to return to our family farm, I also wanted to work somewhere else first. The pull to head north found me in Toowoomba working for Chris Richards & Associates.

They are primarily a pig vet company, which was fantastic as I got to see so many different piggeries across the country. It was so interesting to see how other farms operated, giving me the opportunity to compare with what I knew, and bring that new knowledge home.

Initially when I returned home there wasn’t an obvious role for me so I started doing some work with the sheep, and a bit of cropping. I also spent a lot of time implementing our electronic sow feeding system. Now my main responsibility is the sheep. We used to only run merino wethers but recently Laura and I twisted Dad’s arm to let us buy 400 ewes in lamb. We bought them with our partners and in return for our share all the sheep operations – including organising shearing, drenching and lamb marking – is our responsibility.

We’ve already made a few changes. We used to shear in February, for instance, but it was fly season and our shearing shed was ridiculously hot. Combine that with our big strong wethers, and the shearers hated it. We’ve now changed the breed so they are plainer in the body, and shear every six months in October and April. This has helped lower input costs

88

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

and reduce chemical usage, which in turn streamlined our operation. We are also joining the ewes to a Dorset ram for the first time and aiming to sell into the sucker market.

Laura and I have always been close and work really well together within the business. Dad thinks we talk too much, but I say: “We’re women, Dad. We can talk and work at the same time.”

When I first found out about the animal activists’ video, I was unnerved and didn’t want to go near the piggery. I was also worried they had planted video cameras. It was a terrible feeling to think you were possibly being watched and your operation being portrayed as something horrible and untrue.

When I was in Queensland, an organisation involved with the Aussie Farms website had an event on. It was only three doors up from my house so I decided to go along. Afterwards I met the main speaker and asked: “So you want everyone to become vegans? Well, that’s fine but what do you want farmers to do with the livestock on their land? They can’t have them there if they are producing more plant-based options for vegans.”

I was sweating bullets, but I wanted to know how they were going to feed the world. He didn’t have an answer. Afterwards I realised you can’t be scared of people who are asking for something so outrageous.

I am not sure which animals I will choose to work with in the future, but what I do know is that I love working with my family. I see them every day and that’s fantastic. I even get to take my daughter Quinn (who is one year old) with me most days as well. I look forward to seeing how the business will grow and also to making our own mark in this country as future farmers. l

COMMUNITY NEW GENERATIONS

MERINO COUNTRY

Above: Merino sheep at Westmill Products.

Left: Kiera Chalker (nee Pollard) and daughter Quinn Chalker.

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

89

COMMUNITY ON MY SOAPBOX

Water reforms drain rice security Murrami farmer Debbie Buller has the rice industry running through her veins. But her family’s beloved and generational rice growing aspirations have been put on hold for two years due to drought and water reform policy.

S

ince the start of March when toilet paper started flying off the shelves in supermarkets around the country, people started asking the question about food security in Australia. Do we have enough local supply of staples like rice to sustain our country through this pandemic?

The simple answer is Australia is currently not self-sufficient in rice production. The seemingly obvious reason for this would be drought. The east coast particularly has suffered through three years of devastating drought. And yes, this is part of the problem. However, it is mainly due to State and Federal water reform policies.

The draining of Menindee Lakes in 2017 had a devastating impact on rice, winter cereal, fodder and annual fruit and vegetable production in our southern NSW and northern Victorian food bowl. As a result of the Lower Darling being offline, environmental, South Australian and lower Murray irrigation needs have been met by the Southern Connected System Rivers, the heart of our rice growing and irrigated agriculture regions. The large flows required to be delivered downstream has resulted in massive transmission losses, which has come at the cost of general security entitlements. This means irrigation farmers cannot access water to grow crops to meet food demand. We have had no water allocation on our farm for the last two years, so there has been no rice production. This has only happened once before and that was during the Millennium drought.

The Murrumbidgee, Murray and Coleambally irrigation areas in the NSW Riverina account for 98 per cent of rice grown in Australia, something those generationally associated with the industry are extremely proud of. We are mixed farming, broadacre irrigation enterprises, highly efficient in producing numerous staple food products, not just rice.

90

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

At our peak the area can produce over a million tonnes of rice, which can be exported to over 60 countries around the world. In my dad’s time in the 70s and 80s, rice was one of the biggest exports out of Melbourne ports. This enabled the development of our world class milling and packaging facilities in places like Leeton and Deniliquin. Through a wonderful grower supported research and development program, our rice farmers have become the most efficient in the world with 50 per cent less water used per tonne than the global average.

The company we know today as SunRice is a cooperatively built, paddock-to-plate industry, majority owned by rice growers. In 2018, SunRice locally employed approximately 600 full-time equivalents (FTEs) and injected almost $400 million in direct payments into Riverina communities. SunRice was once employing 2100 people worldwide, a figure which does not include those employed on farm, the seasonal harvest workforce, machinery services and the flow on jobs created with transport, logistics and in research and development.

Australian rice crops, as well as the high-quality irrigated winter cereals and fodder crops grown on rice farms, has significantly declined over the past two years.

Rice production is currently less than 25 per cent of annual domestic rice consumption. With the small rice crops over the last two years, SunRice has been forced to cut 230 FTE positions since November 2018. This has led to an increasing reliance on imported rice and also some importation of high quality milling wheat from Manildra at the same time as the global COVID-19 pandemic has increased global demand for staple foods like rice, pasta and flour.

So how can we ensure security in Australian rice production in the future?

The rice industry and other staple food industries have continued to highlight to Government, about the significant impact of Australian water reform and the Murray-Darling Basin Plan on annual irrigation in southern NSW. This includes the erosion to the reliability of general security water entitlements, which was a major contributor to low 2019 and 2020 rice production. Farmers across all commodities and peak bodies like NSW Farmers and State and Federal Governments need to work together to resolve these perverse outcomes of State and Federal water reforms.

Programs like the Water for Fodder program set a national precedent for exceptional circumstances to allocate water to keep livestock alive during the drought.

However, if water reform policies are not reviewed and altered to allow irrigation farmers access to water, the 98 per cent of Australia’s rice grown in southern NSW is imperilled. As our Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been highlighting though the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia’s focus is on saving lives and saving livelihoods. The immediate release of water to grow rice and other important staples for Australian consumers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic will definitely assist. l STANDING TALL

Above: Debbie Buller on her Murrami farm.

“Rice production in Australia is currently less than 25 per cent of the annual domestic rice consumption.”

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

91

XXXX XXXXXX

XXXX XXXXXX

XXXX XXXXXX

Xxxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxx

Xxxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxx

Xxxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxx

–

–

–

GROWING THE BEST

M AY - J U N 2 0 2 0 / $ 9. 9 5

ISSUE 22 M AY - J U N 2 0 2 0

Help protect your livelihood. NSW Farmers is your voice – we are only as strong as you make us. The greater our numbers; the greater our voice.

N SW FA R M E R S

JOIN US

XXXX XXXXXX Xxxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxx

Keeping Australia Fed

NSW farmers delivering the goods in unprecedented times

–

Memberships include The Farmer magazine delivered to you.

Annual membership options

FULL PRODUCER MEMBER $438.90 1 VOTE PER MEMBERSHIP

For those who own or manage a farm. Includes our basic workplace relations package which provides: ·C ollective representation on awards, minimum wage review, workers compensation. · Wage information, including wage guides issued annually. · Phone advice, four calls a year.

ADDITIONAL MEMBER $100 1 VOTE PER MEMBERSHIP

SECOND VOTE MEMBER 1 VOTE PER MEMBERSHIP

$100

Linked to a full producer, with a proprietorial or income interest.

Linked to a full producer, most often a family member.

Have a small holding and do not

receive majority of income from it.

ASSOCIATE MEMBER $100 Do not own a farm, e.g. teachers,

agronomists, business people.

COUNTRY CONNECTION $100 Supporters of farms from the city.

SMALL FARMS MEMBER

$150

Members can upgrade to this package to receive: · Unlimited advice on employment matters. · Assistance in negotiating with the Fair Work Ombudsman’s office. · Representation in employment matters handled by tribunals, such as Fair Work Australia. · Assistance with drafting and reviewing employment-related correspondence, policies and procedures, and employment agreements.

The Essentials Workplace Relations package fees start from $165 for up to two employees.

Extra charges may apply for assistance required within your first four months of membership.

All prices include GST.

Use your voice, become a member at nswfarmers.org.au or call 1300 794 000.

Contact the Member Service Centre on 1300 794 000 or your local regional services manager:

FOR ALL GENERAL ENQUIRIES

NORTHERN Michael Collins, 0439 958 163, collinsm@nswfarmers.org.au NORTH COAST & TABLELANDS Mark Bulley, 0429 330 348, bulleym@nswfarmers.org.au CENTRAL TABLELANDS & ORANA Andrew Coughlan, 0447 393 092, coughlana@nswfarmers.org.au SOUTHERN David Banham, 0428 411 221, banhamd@nswfarmers.org.au SOUTH WEST Daniel Brear, 0427 773 495, breard@nswfarmers.org.au LACHLAN & NORTH RIVERINA Catriona McAuliffe, 0488 100 005, mcauliffec@nswfarmers.org.au WESTERN DIVISION Caron Chester, 0400 116 207, chesterc@nswfarmers.org.au

YES, I WOULD LIKE TO JOIN NSW FARMERS. I HAVE TICKED MY MEMBERSHIP CHOICE ABOVE . PLEASE CONTAC T ME .

ESSENTIALS WORKPLACE RELATIONS PACKAGE

REGIONAL SERVICE & SALES MANAGER Jonathan Tuckfield, 0409 493 695 tuckfieldj@nswfarmers.org.au MEMBERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER Alicia Harrison, 0429 817 611 harrisona@nswfarmers.org.au

NAME: _ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRES S:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ EMAIL:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ PHONE:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ COMMODITY (IF APPROPRIATE):_____________________________________________________________________________________

92

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

COMMUNITY TEAM PLAYER

The future of farming In this new feature series, we meet a proud NSW Farmers member who highlights how the Association’s work makes a real difference to primary producers around the state.

NAME

Joanna Treasure

FARM Mountview, Cowra

TIME AS MEMBER Three years MY BRANCH Western Young Farmers

ABOUT THE MEMBER

I run a mixed enterprise, 750-hectare family farm with my dad, where we are currently running 1,400 sheep and 110 cattle – both for meat production. We have a regular cropping cycle, but that is mainly used as part of our pasture management program. I also work on a large Black Angus beef farming operation in Cowra. I grew up on the farm but never considered an agricultural career until I gave it a go during my gap year. I was going to study ancient history, but that was three years ago now and I haven’t looked back. I still love history, but farming is who I am.

It chose me.

CONDITIONS AT MY FARM

Our farm has bounced back incredibly well after the drought.

Dad kept saying that one day it will start raining again and it would be hard to remember what it was like during the drought, and it’s already like that. I’m just amazed how the environment has sprung back to life and rejuvenated. We didn’t heavily de-stock during the drought, leading to some of our pastures being damaged. So now we are rotating more crops this year to enable pasture regrowth.

WHY I JOINED NSW FARMERS

I became involved with NSW Farmers

when I saw some advertisements for Young Farmer representatives, and thought I should give it a go. I know that knowledge and opportunities don’t just fall in your lap. Advancements in agricultural research and technology won’t wait for anyone, so I’m dipping my toes in every pool I come across. If I can’t change the world, at least I’ll be a good farmer producing local food.

I’m currently a voting member of the NSW Farmers Cattle Committee, a Young Farmer Representative on the NSW Farmers Biosecurity Committee, and I represent NSW Farmers on Cattle Council Australia's Animal Health, Welfare and Biosecurity Committee. It’s not part of my personality to go home after work and relax. I need things to do, so why not expand my knowledge by being a part of these committees?

HOW NSW FARMERS HAS HELPED ME

I really can’t express how grateful I am to NSW Farmers and NSW Young Farmers for opening a lot of doors for me in terms of policy development, representation and advocacy. Just having NSW Farmers on my resume really got the ball rolling for me, and I have just run with it. I’ve now been involved in a lot of different organisations and it’s given me some amazing opportunities.

For example, I was selected for the National Farmers’ Federation 2030 Leaders Program and last year I went to Nepal with Wool Producers Australia to do foot and mouth disease training. I’ve also had mentoring opportunities with Sheep Producers Australia and I am really enjoying representing NSW Farmers on the Cattle Council Australia’s Committee.

As the Young Farmer rep on the NSW Farmers’ Biosecurity committee, I am learning so much about the fast-paced and incredibly important world of biosecurity in the agricultural sector. My overarching goal in this position is to spread awareness and get conversations started on the importance of biosecurity measures.

I’d like the NSW Government to focus on the traceability of exported and nationally carted stock and fodder.

Australia has a reputation to uphold.

Our produce is second to none. It would, therefore, be wise for the states to put their heads together and maintain a national standard.

Finally, the NSW Young Farmers has been great for my personal development. I did an influencer imperatives course last year that the NSW Farmers board members organised, and have also completed some policy and media training. I really do look forward to our Young Farmer gatherings – they nurture a real sense of community that I wouldn’t get just working at home. l

MAY - JUNE 2020 THE FARMER

93

COMMUNITY MEET THE RSM NSW FARMERS’ COMMITTEES – CONTACTS AND CHAIRS AG SCIENCE

agvetcommittee@nswfarmers. org.au David Mailler ANIMAL WELFARE

animalwelfarecommittee@ nswfarmers.org.au Jim McDonald BIOSECURITY

biosecuritycommittee@ nswfarmers.org.au Ian McColl BUSINESS, ECONOMICS & TRADE

Tech tips for farmers Regional Services Manager Andrew Coughlan is sharing more than a decade of telecommunications technology experience with Central West farmers.

beatcommittee@nswfarmers. org.au Peter Wilson CATTLE

cattlecommittee@ nswfarmers.org.au Derek Schoen CONSERVATION & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

crmcommittee@nswfarmers. org.au Bronwyn Petrie CONTRACT POULTRY MEAT

poultrymeatcommittee@ nswfarmers.org.au Justin Roach DAIRY

dairycommittee@nswfarmers. org.au Colin Thompson EGG

eggcommittee@nswfarmers. org.au Brett Langfield GOATS

goatcommittee@nswfarmers. org.au Felicity McLeod GRAINS

grainscommittee@ nswfarmers.org.au Matthew Madden HORTICULTURE

horticulturecommittee@ nswfarmers.org.au Guy Gaeta OYSTER

oystercommittee@ nswfarmers.org.au Caroline Henry PORK

porkcommittee@nswfarmers. org.au Ean Pollard RURAL AFFAIRS

ruralaffairscommittee@ nswfarmers.org.au Garry Grant SHEEPMEATS

sheepmeatscommittee@ nswfarmers.org.au Floyd Legge WESTERN DIVISION COUNCIL

wdc@nswfarmers.org.au Greg Rogers WOOL

woolcommittee@nswfarmers. org.au Andrew Wood YOUNG FARMERS

yfc@nswfarmers.org.au Rachel Nicoll

94

THE FARMER

M

embers in the Central West have an upper hand when it comes to telecommunications technology – and it’s not because they have better mobile service.

Armed with more than a decade of experience in the telecommunications industry, Regional Services Manager Andrew Coughlan is providing an edge for farmers keen to adopt rapidly evolving technology.

Add in some skills for training small and medium businesses, and Andrew has the recipe for helping members take advantage of new trends.

Andrew, who lives with his wife Shea and their three children in Orange, joined the Regional Services Manager team in September last year, covering an area that encompasses towns such as Orange, Mudgee, Bathurst, Dubbo, Coonamble and Nyngan.

“In a time where everyone is at home due to COVID-19, connectivity is more important than ever before,” he says.

“I delivered five ‘tech talk’ workshops just prior to the outbreak, which focused on demonstrating the use of technology to better improve connectivity around the house, farm and vehicle.”

The success of these workshops has inspired NSW Farmers to apply for a grant to roll out further tech talk sessions, in order to increase knowledge in regional NSW about options available and how best to highlight issues with mobile service blackspots.

“I have really enjoyed the engagement from NSW Farmers members and the passion that they show. It’s great to be involved with a group who are keen to put in their time for the bigger picture,” Andrew says.

“That’s why I’m very keen to keep delivering content to members that adds even more value – things like drone courses, boss skill workshops, succession planning and other events over the year that help members and their local communities.

MAY - JUNE 2020

“In a time where everyone is at home due to COVID-19, connectivity is more important than ever before.”

-

ANDREW COUGHLAN NSW Farmers Regional Services Manager

“Not coming from an agricultural background, I’ve been able to see things with a different set of eyes. I see that with all the noise that is being thrown at Government, it’s vital that we have a united voice on advancing local food and fibre production and regional communities.

“Having met so many members in recent months, I have come to realise that they are the best advocates for agriculture and I will continue to do what I can to help.” l

Bush telegraph NSW Farmers embarked on a #keepingusfed social media campaign to showcase that farmers are busy out there doing what they do best – producing local food and fibre during the COVID-19 crisis. The campaign featured members from across the state and reached more than 300,000 people via Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin and Twitter.

GOING BANANAS IN COFFS

Coffs Harbour banana growers Adriano and Barbara Canale are in a purple patch right now with a bumper banana crop, thanks to favourable weather and good farm management. The Canale family have been busy cutting bananas for four months after four years of below average yields due to storms and dry weather. Their sons Dominic, 23, and Anthony, 17, are destined to extend the banana growing tradition into a fourth generation and are helping in #keepingusfed with their own banana patches to manage on the family’s 12-hectare farm.

So peel assured about banana supply in these uncertain times. Australian bananas aren’t just delicious, they’re also extremely nutritious. Bananas are bursting with goodness and nutrition and are packed with natural carbohydrates, vitamin B6 and potassium. Did you know, Australian growers produce almost 400,000 tonnes of fresh bananas each year?

“God bless all the farmers. Thank you for your hard work and good produce.” ....................................................... LILLY AMORE

...................................................... TREVOR ROSE

“Congratulations to our fellow villagers who honour Italy in their working efforts in banana making!” ������������������������������������������ ATTILIO DE GIOVANNINI

Christina Kelman is a vegetable farmer at Rita’s Farm in the Sydney Basin, producing predominantly cucumbers and Asian greens, and the last thing she is worried about right now is a downturn in production. Christina has just planted a whopping 15,000 cucumbers and has 5,000 kale bunches going in every fortnight.

Christina jokes that she doesn’t even know 5,000 people who’d eat kale, let alone on a weekly basis – so she’s sure there will be plenty for everyone. “If anything, we have an oversupply of food that farmers’ markets are closed, and we’re actually a bit worried there won’t be enough places to supply to.”

Christina is one of many Australian farmers #keepingusfed during this crisis, and she’d like to remind consumers that there will be plenty of vegetables on supermarket shelves over the coming months. Now is also the perfect time to be digging in to fresh vegetables because of the vast nutritional benefits they have to offer!

EGGSELLENT WORK

Central West egg farmer Rob Peffer wants to remind everyone that farmers are #committedtoconsumers during current unprecedented events. Rob’s egg production facility produces one million eggs per week – which accounts for one per cent of eggs produced Australia-wide. Rob provides eggs to Woolworths, Coles, IGA and small wholesalers, and says

that production rarely stops in the egg industry. “There will be just as many, if not more, eggs on shelves in a month’s time”. Rob says the onset of Coronavirus had coincided with the lead-up to Easter when egg demand usually rises, so the egg industry had been gearing up for increased production for months.

ROARING FORTIES

NSW Farmers Member Neil Barwick was recently voted in as secretary/ treasurer for the Quirindi/Willow Tree Branch for the 40th consecutive year. Neil attended his first NSW Farmers Annual Conference last year and took part in his first ever teleconference in March, which replaced the recent branch meeting as part of the COVID-19 social distancing restrictions. The branch and Regional Services Manager Mick Collins congratulated Neil on decades of dedication to the local branch. >

“Banana farming, some of the hardest physical work you can do. Good work Canale family.”

GET INTO YOUR GREENS

“Great story and highlights another success story of NSW Farmers’ members.” ��������������������������� PAUL SHOKER

Do you have feedback or a photo to share? Email: mhespe@intermedia.com.au or write to: The Farmer PO Box 55 Glebe NSW 2037.

Please state if you do not want your name or letter published.

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

95

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions In these uncertain times, we are committed to bringing clarity to the issues faced by our members. We have received numerous COVID-19 related questions since the pandemic infiltrated Australia and some of these are summarised below.

Workforce and the workplace Can I test employees’ temperatures and are they required to go home if they’re showing fever symptoms?

Temperature testing as a COVID-19 prevention measure has not been recommended by SafeWork NSW for implementation at workplaces. But, due to its simplicity and low cost, it is a measure that has been widely adopted overseas in various settings to screen whether an individual displays COVID-19 symptoms. However, it should be noted that fever is only one of the many symptoms for COVID-19 and the majority of people with a fever may not have COVID-19.

Workplaces that want to implement temperature testing should inform their employees beforehand, provide clear guidelines on the testing protocol and the expected steps that will be taken by the employer when an employee is tested with a fever.

Due consideration should be given to the testing protocol to ensure:

➤ physical distancing is still practiced by workers while waiting for testing (i.e. workers are standing at least 1.5m apart while queuing for the test) and during testing

➤ the testing method does not increase the risk of cross contamination ● using non-contact thermometer is recommended ● if other types of thermometer are used that requires contact, disinfecting it between use would be necessary ● necessary PPE should be given to the employee assigned as the tester

➤ testing is done in an indiscriminate fashion.

Having a fever in itself does not justify a reasonable direction to leave work, unless it is coupled with the display of other COVID-19 symptoms (dry cough, shortness of breath, body ache, lethargy), or an employee has travelled overseas in the last 14 days or has been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Based on NSW Health guidelines, definition of a fever is a temperature of 38°C or more. Should an employee register this level of temperature, the employer can have a discussion with the employee about any other symptoms, overseas travel or contact with others that that could indicate a risk of COVID-19.

If following this discussion it cannot be determined that the employee meets any other criteria such that would require them to self-isolate, the employee should not be directed to leave work except when:

➤ an agreement is reached with the employee for the employee to take some kind of paid leave (annual leave or long service leave where applicable); or

➤ the business is prepared to continue making wage payments during the employee’s period of absence.

Instead of directing an employee with a fever (who is otherwise fine, has not travelled overseas and has not been exposed to a positive case) to leave work, the business could consider implementing other temporary prevention measures such as limiting the employee’s interaction with others while at work or assigning the employee to perform work that can be done by him/herself (e.g. tractor driving). Employees should be provided with clear communication and explanation when these temporary measures are implemented to avoid any perceived targeting or discrimination. Any change in the employee’s symptoms should be closely monitored.

96

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

In the event that an employee is showing other COVID-19 symptoms, and/or meeting the other criteria in relation to overseas travel and/or contact with someone who has a positive case of COVID-19, it is recommended for the employee to be directed to self-isolate and seek medical advice immediately. Permanent employees can access their annual leave or other paid leave during self-isolation period. Personal/carer’s leave (otherwise known as sick leave) is, strictly speaking, available to be taken when the employee is unwell.

Is there any information on what the health assessment would entail if someone tests positive (i.e. what will they look at)? Is it a requirement for all staff to stay home or will NSW Health be able to tell you who stays home?

Contact tracing will be undertaken with the patient to determine those who have had close contact or casual contact with the patient. Only those staff members who have had “close contact” are required by NSW Health to self-isolate. However, considering employers’ Work, Health and Safety obligations to ensure the safety of workers and others in the workplace, it would be prudent to restrict the interactions of others (suppliers, contractors, other workers) with the workers who have casual contact with the positive case for 14 days from the date of contact.

Close contact is defined by NSW Health as requiring:

● greater than 15 minutes face-to-face contact in any setting with a confirmed case in the period extending from 24 hours before onset of symptoms in the confirmed case, or

● sharing of a closed space with a confirmed case for a prolonged period (e.g. more than two hours) in the period extending from 24 hours before onset of symptoms in the confirmed case.

NSW Health requires individuals who have been identified to have had close contact with someone who is confirmed to have a positive case to self-isolate for 14 days and watch for signs and symptoms.

Casual contact is defined by NSW Health as any person having less than 15 minutes face-to-face contact with a symptomatic confirmed case in any setting, or sharing a closed space with a symptomatic confirmed case for less than two hours. Those who have casual contact with a positive case are advised by NSW Health to closely monitor for symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, body ache, chills) and self-isolate when symptoms appear.

The National Coronavirus Health Information Line is reachable on 1800 020 080 for general advice. Individuals with symptoms can contact the healthdirect line on 1800 022 222 for further information and/or direction.

Travel and congregation restrictions Can I still leave my farm to attend to work related activities (such as purchasing of supplies or machinery repair) in light of the applicable travel and gathering restriction?

The restrictions announced by the NSW Government are gazetted in the Public Health (COVID 19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2020 which stipulates that:

➤ travel outside of the house is permitted only when there are “reasonable excuses” which are a defined list outlined in the Public Health Order; and

➤ public gathering is limited to two people unless for exempted purposes.

Travelling for the purposes of work if work cannot be performed from home is one of the prescribed “reasonable excuses”, therefore any travel necessary for work purposes continues to be permissible.

In relation to the restriction of two people in a public gathering, the following are exempted:

➤ a gathering of persons for the purposes of work

➤ a gathering for the purposes of, or related to transportation, including in vehicles or at stations, platforms or stops or other public transportation facilities.

MAY - JUNE 2020

THE FARMER

97

THE TAIL END

Ants with a Punch

Green ants, also known as weaver ants, have been consumed by Indigenous Australians for thousands of years. They have a citrus-like punch, and you’ll find them in bush tucker, fancy restaurants and even swanning about in modern gins.

Words ANNABELLE CLOROS

I

n Australia, green ants – known by the scientific name Oecophylla smaragdina – are found in the Northern Territory and Far North Queensland. They can also be found in Sri Lanka, India, Indochina and southern China, where green ants were used as a pest control agent as early as 304AD in fruit and cocoa plantations. Closer to home, Indigenous Australians (who refer to them as gulguk) traditionally used them as a remedy for colds and a great protein source. More recently in Australia, chefs use them to flavour dishes, and some distilleries have released green ant gins. This is due to them having a mighty zesty punch – think lime with a hint of coriander seed, followed by a zing when they hit your tongue, like a sour jelly.

PRODUCTION

Green ant colonies are formed with one queen and between 100,000-500,000 workers and as many as 150 nests. A mated queen lays approximately 35 eggs in the leaves of a tree or

BY PHIL SOMERVILLE

shrub, which are then distributed to other nests in the colony. Larvae appear after eight days, and around another week later, worker ants use silk from the larvae to glue leaves together to create a sealed nest. The nests are oblong in shape and are built high up in the trees. The larvae remain in the nest until they turn into pupae, and within 28 days a worker ant is created. After a few days, the nest is reopened and workers source food and protect the nest. Colonies typically grow the fastest during the wet season in places like Far North Queensland, due to high humidity and temperature along with easy access to food.

supplier of native food including open-range game meats and native greens and fruits) in the Northern Territory have a special permit which allows them to harvest ants. The Larrakia people (from Arnhem Land), taking a more sustainable approach to harvesting, pull down the nest and remove all the worker ants, leaving infants and the queen behind, before putting it back.

HARVEST

Green ants are aggressive and don’t hesitate to bite potential predators; they can also emit acid when threatened. There are a number of ways humans harvest ants. Some cut down the nest before placing it in a bucket of water, drowning the ants. Others poke holes in the nest using a long pole and shake until the ants and pupae fall down. Something Wild (an Indigenous-owned

APPEARANCE AND FLAVOUR

These flavourful ants have an orange/brown body and are identified by their green abdomens. The queen ants have wings which they shed before laying eggs. The pupae can be eaten, which are protein-rich with a lemony flavour. The worker ants also taste of lemon, but can exude notes of mint, coriander and kaffir lime. l

GREEN ANT FACTS

Their nests are large and built by sticking the leaves at the end of branches together to create a globular style of home.

98

THE FARMER

MAY - JUNE 2020

Minor workers usually remain within the egg chambers of a green ants’ nests, tending the larvae.

Green ants are essential builders in the rainforest.

They’re like the worker bees of the ant world.

niche programs, big hearts

Supporting Rural Australia ...through unique rural assistance focussed programs like:

DONATE OR GET INVOLVED TODAY

Fodder Assistance Program

Fixing the Farm Program

This drought appeal campaign is providing meaningful support for farmers by delivering hay and other essential items to farmers who have no feed left for their livestock.

Tradies & volunteers doing mini makeovers on farms or community infrastructure, to help make life easier for those people feeding our nation.

ruralaid.org.au | 1300 327 624

DISASTER

APPEAL Please donate now

salvationarmy.org.au