AgLife – March 1, 2023 Wimmera Machinery Field Days edition

Program returning to its roots

BY ABBY WALTER

The biggest mid-week Wimmera event is returning to its roots as a three-day family-friendly showcase of agriculture.

Exhibitors and patrons will witness the Wimmera Machinery Field Days back in action next week for the first time since 2020.

Wimmera Machinery Field Days president Tim Rethus said the event had returned to its standard formula.

“We’ve decided to go back to vanilla field days, so there’s no twilight event –it’s just a full three days,” he said.

“We were going to do a two-day event in 2022, but it got cancelled. Now we’re back with regular field days.

“We have seen the interest in other field days in the months since COVID-19 restrictions have eased and we thought we can’t sell this one short – people are really keen to get back to what they know.”

Mr Rethus said the committee was excited by the number of exhibitors attending the event.

“There has been a little bit of rejigging around the site, but I think the main thing is the site is so full it’s going to look busy and that’s great,” he said.

“I think people have also been missing catching up with other people.

“Come along and make sure you leave about twice as much time as you think you will need, because you will spend most of it talking to farmers and reps from exhibits.

“It’s good for our well-being to get people out and about together.”

Wimmera Machinery Field Days manager Vanessa Lenehan said there would be something for everyone at the field days.

“Getting back to normal has been really good,” she said.

“There is still a lot of entertainment out

there for families and children – George the Farmer is back, we have Rev It Up Racing, an animal nursery, mobile zoo, helicopter rides, mini train and a Level Up Gaming chill-out zone.

“Partners in Ag have been working with us and schools, so there are programs for any school children who come out to the site to see the educational side of the field days.

“Children 17-years old and younger can enter for free this year thanks to some government funding from the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions, so that’s been really good.”

Mrs Lenehan said there were online ticketing services this year.

“Hopefully the line-up at the gate runs a lot smoother. We thought online tickets would give people the opportunity to prepurchase tickets, have a QR code on their phone and walk straight through the gate,” she said.

Mr Rethus said the field days were an opportunity for farmers to learn and improve their operations and businesses.

“You can look up products on the internet, but you can’t touch or see them and you can’t find things that you didn’t know were available,” he said.

“The field days are about learning something new. You will stumble across something walking around the site – it might be something you needed to get your business back on track or to fix a small problem you’re having at the farm.

“It’s a great way to learn about things you didn’t know existed.”

Mr Rethus said ‘reasonably successful’ cropping farming seasons were positive for the field days.

“I think people are looking forward to wandering around a showcase of equipment – especially when we have had four pretty good years in a row,” he said.

“Farmers are in a position to make

changes, get new equipment or make improvements, not just wander around and tyre kick. They’ll actually be seriously investigating.

“It’s a great opportunity for exhibitors to get out there and explain what they have and the benefits of what they have.”

The Wimmera Machinery Field Days are on March 7, 8 and 9 with gates opening to general public at 8.30am each day.

Tickets are available via tickets.wimmera fielddays.com.au/events/37343/wimmerafield-days

Shaun Casey, Sandra Casey, Erin Wallace

BUSY: Wimmera Machinery Field Days president Tim Rethus and manager Vanessa Lenehan have been busy rejigging the site to accommodate a full exhibitor list. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

FOOT TRAFFIC: Wimmera Machinery Field Days organisers are anticipating a bustling return to the Longerenong site.

Amazing showcase

Member for Lowan

Itis wonderful to be celebrating the return of the Wimmera Machinery Field Days after a forced three-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic.

This event is one of the biggest on the state’s farming calendar, and our communities have sorely missed the opportunity to come together with people from far and wide to see first-hand the amazing showcase the field days offers – from the latest developments in farming practices to amazing local produce and fashions, trade exhibits and competitions.

The event attracts thousands of visitors from across Australia to learn about advances in agriculture, buy new machinery and equipment or to catch up with family and friends.

To have so many people flock to our region again for this unique event will provide enormous economic and social benefits for our communities – something even more crucial now in the wake of a difficult past three years.

We need to look for any opportunity to seek out and support local events and the businesses and people behind them – it is one of the most impactful things we can do for our community.

I encourage everyone across Lowan to check out all the amazing things the Wimmera Machinery Field Days has to offer – there truly is something for everyone.

My sincere thanks to the Wimmera Machinery Field Days committee, led by president Tim Rethus, for their incredible work in getting this amazing event back on our calendars.

As the deputy leader of the Victorian Nationals, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Shadow Minister for Mental Health, I am

committed to events such as the Wimmera Machinery Field Days as they provide me with a fantastic forum for ensuring that the issues that matter most to rural and regional Victoria are heard in Parliament. This includes the ongoing deterioration of roads across western Victoria, which continues to be major concern.

I will continue my relentless advocacy to ensure regional Victoria receives its fair share of roads funding and our local roads are returned to a safe standard.

I look forward to seeing huge crowds at the event and lots of smiling faces as we celebrate the return of the Wimmera Machinery Field Days and our wonderful agricultural community.

Emma Kealy, Member for Lowan

Howfantastic to have the Wimmera Machinery Field Days back again.

The pandemic has made the past three years challenging, and I know events such as the field days have been sorely missed.

The return of the Wimmera Machinery Field Days means so much for the whole community – not just the cockies, but everyone who relies on the success of farming.

It brings our farmers, agriculture machinery dealers and retailers, agronomists and stock agents, and the general rural communities together.

I am sure there will be plenty of innovation on display that can be taken back and used onfarm to take businesses further. Country shows throughout regional Australia, including the field days, are an important part of the social fabric of rural communities.

Old friends come together, who might not get to see each other all that often. And in the country, that’s what we need –connectivity and a chance to fill people in on what’s been going on in your world.

Maybe it can also be a chance to share a few secrets of the

trade. We’ve had a few favourable seasons in a row in the Wimmera and Mallee – even accounting for a bit too much spring rain late last year.

Some producers have had record crops, which is great to see.

The Mallee contributes almost $10-billion of Gross Regional Product to Australia’s GDP, with $3.4 billion of that coming from the Wimmera and Southern Mallee region. This is worth celebrating, and is evidence of the invaluable contribution the

Wimmera and Mallee bring to the table for the whole country. For a smaller region, population wise, we more than pull our weight.

I am sorry to not be able to make it to the field days in person this year due to it falling on a Parliamentary sitting week, but I wish the committee and all exhibitors and attendees well for an incredibly successful event.

Anne Webster, Member for Mallee

Member

Warm welcome

From the manager

Welcome

back to the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

It is fantastic to have everyone back again after two years – especially all our exhibitors, who are challenged by issues with staff and stock supply.

This year we are introducing our ‘Local Market Square’ – a new initiative to support small gourmet food and wine producers.

Thanks to 1089 3WM who are proud supporters of our Local Market Square.

Another area that we have worked on is the educational opportunity of the field days.

Once again Partners in Ag, with the support of WIM Resource, have developed fantastic programs targeted at different age levels for school children.

These programs are based on learning about agriculture and the career opportunities it presents.

We also have a range of attractions and new and different food vendors.

A new attraction for this year is Rev It Up Racing, a racing simulator, and the Level Up Gaming Chill Out Space.

We also have the Factory FMX boys re-

turning, along with the Black Snake reptile show and wildlife zoo, helicopter rides, animal nursery, mini train rides and the children’s zone, which has moved to the sponsors’ pavilion.

George the Farmer will be in the auditorium on Wednesday, along with a varied lineup of speakers and shows for the three days.

A big thank you must go to all of our sponsors and supporters for 2023.

We have a large number of corporate partners and sponsors as well as our community groups and service providers whose support is paramount to the success of the field days.

And lastly, but by no means least, I need to acknowledge and thank the staff in the office for their dedication and commitment to the field days.

I couldn’t have done it without you – what a fantastic team.

Please call into the office and meet the team while you are here.

Also, to Tim and the Wimmera Machinery Field Days committee – thank you for your support and the countless hours you volunteer to make the field days a success.

I hope you enjoy the 2023 Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

Vanessa Lenehan Manager, Wimmera Machinery Field Days

Invaluable opportunity

From the mayor

Welcome to Horsham and the Wimmera.

After the COVID disruptions of the past two years, it will be wonderful to again see the site full and buzzing with exhibitors and patrons attending this important agricultural trade fair.

Hopefully, we are blessed with some fine weather for this threeday event.

With agriculture the main industry in western Victoria, the economic benefit from this event is significant to both our region and the broader Victorian economy.

Field days are an invaluable opportunity for farmers and industry to learn from each other and share challenges, innovative solutions and technological advances.

Asking questions and investigating new equipment options, in an obligation-free environment, helps

patrons plan and budget for future purchases.

Remember, you don’t need to be involved with agriculture to enjoy the event – there will be something to interest everyone on site.

I have no doubt that social connections and interactions will be a highlight of these three days.

Catching up with friends that you haven’t seen since the last field days will be heart-warming.

Raising the awareness of the mental and physical health challenges among the farming community has reinforced the importance of personal interactions.

I encourage patrons to take the time to access the different services and have a ‘health check’ while at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

Congratulations to president Tim Rethus, the volunteer committee and staff for your hard work and commitment through the challenging times and on delivering another successful event.

Commitment to sector

From the president

Onbehalf of the Wimmera Machinery Field Days committee, welcome to the 2023 Wimmera Machinery Field Days and thank you for coming to our event.

It has been a long three years since our last field days and we look forward to seeing you all here.

We are relaunching this March as a traditional three-day event showcasing the latest farming innovations and technology from Australia and across the world.

new problems that we hope you can solve at our field days.

Special thanks to our exhibitors and sponsors who make this event so great. There are several new large exhibitors this year, which goes to show the commitment to agriculture and growth in the region.

As well as our large machinery exhibits, let’s not forget the displays focusing on technology, tools and around the home, finance, food, and well-being. Our dedicated local produce feature area is not to be missed.

Horsham Rural City Council is a proud supporter of the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

If you have queries or questions for council or would simply like to chat, please call into our site in the Moore Exhibition Centre.

Robyn Gulline Mayor, Horsham Rural City

Nothing beats seeing the products for yourself, learning, connecting with manufacturers, dealers and retailers and finding solutions to improve your farm business.

In the Wimmera and Mallee, we’ve had a few favourable seasons in a row – not everything has worked out as planned, but we’ve had some good results.

Last year showed the highs and lows of farming, with plenty of spring rain – too much for some fields but other fields setting records.

We learned plenty and also uncovered

There are many volunteers and community organisations that play a vital part in the smooth running of this event.

I thank them, as well as our dedicated staff and committee, who have been working for the past year to improve the site facilities and make this event a real success.

Enjoy your time with us and I hope to see you again at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days in 2024.

Tim Rethus President, Wimmera Machinery Field Days

Wimmera Machinery Field Days president Tim Rethus and manager Vanessa Lenehan at the Longerenong site.

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Come

Wimmera Machinery Field Days special edition

ACE onsite to engage network

Local news and entertainment

is the cornerstone of local communities – and the ACE Radio network in Horsham offers the whole package.

The Weekly Advertiser today publishes the largest edition in its 25-year history – a bumper 112 pages of local journalism and advertisements.

The edition is anchored by the returned celebration of the Wimmera Machinery Field Days, with a special 60-page edition of AgLife celebrating all that the event offers to the region.

The feature is a celebration of the power of the event and what it brings to the region – and the organisers, volunteers, exhibitors and sponsors that ensure its success.

Editorial director Jessica Grimble said The Weekly Advertiser was bucking world-wide trends of challenged newspaper readership and advertising sales — instead, breaking records in an ever-changing media environment.

The March 1 edition, including AgLife, will reach more than 20,000 homes and businesses, with the AgLife liftout also available at the field days site at Longerenong.

“The Wimmera Machinery Field Days is such an important event on the Wimmera community’s calendar –whether for learning about innovation in agriculture, sampling products or from a social perspective,” Ms Grimble said.

“The media plays an important role in celebrating the field days and capturing the stories that makes the news

now, while recording history for the years to come.

“Our team has worked hard for many weeks to design, write, photograph and edit a cracking March 1 edition – and we couldn’t do it without the support of the wider ACE Radio team.

“We look forward to taking the time

to meet and mingle with people at Longerenong next week, too.”

Meanwhile, radio stations 3WM and MIXX FM will offer listeners a broad range of field days-flavoured news and entertainment, leading into and throughout the field days event.

Content director Adam Roche will host his daily show, Adam in the

“People will notice our marked van in a prominent gathering space where we can also share in the chatter, the catch-ups and all the happenings of an event we’re so happy to see back on the calendar”

– Adam Roche

“Our team will be at the site from early in the morning, until late in the day. It’s a huge week for us all.

“People will notice our marked van in a prominent gathering space where we can also share in the chatter, the catch-ups and all the happenings of an event we’re so happy to see back on the calendar.”

General manager Brendan O’Loughlin said the ACE Radio network was proud to support community events – including the field days – to thrive.

“We live and work in our local community, and we want our local community to succeed, to be engaging and offer a variety of events for all people in the community,” he said.

Afternoons, on 3WM each day of the event.

He will also speak with businesses, organisers and volunteers on the radio throughout the day.

“It’s fantastic to be front and centre of the field days site – literally – right next door to the field days office,” he said.

“The field days ticks many boxes in its versatility of offerings – which just keeps getting better every year.

“The return of the field days is one of the last major events to be back after COVID-19 restrictions, and we’re thrilled to be part of the fantastic social and business gathering this is sure to be.”

READY TO TALK: ACE Horsham leadership team, from left, Brendan O’Loughlin, Adam Roche, Mark Sulic, Kelly Schilling and Jessica Grimble will attend the Wimmera Machinery Field Days. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Volunteers are the driving force behind the Wimmera Machinery Field Days. Since 1963, Wimmera farmers and industry professionals have come together to organise a threeday event for the region's agriculture sector. This year a committee of 32 volunteers, supported by a management team of four, are bringing the field days back to life after a two-year hiatus. The Weekly Advertiser caught up with two of the many volunteers ahead of the 2023 event.

Everything on track

Jamie Petrass is one of the Wimmera Machinery Field Days’ newest committee members and he is looking forward to seeing the event return to business as usual.

Mr Petrass is a farmer at Kewell, north-east of Horsham, and has been involved in the field days since 2019.

“This year will be my fourth year on the committee, but in that time I have missed two events due to cancellations in 2021 and 2022,” he said.

“The field days are a big community event and I think it’s good for farmers to get out and about and off their farms.”

Mr Petrass said it was important to keep events such as the field days operating in small communities.

“It’s a good few days among other farmers and local exhibitors where we can get people together to catch up,” he said.

“Being able to set-up the event and have people know they are coming whether as a guest or exhibitor makes everything feel like it is getting back to normal,” he said.

Mr Petrass said the field days were a chance for farmers to see new machinery and technology they could use and apply on their farms.

“One of my favourite parts of the field days is walking around to see the new machinery and new technology,” he said.

“Farmers can take a look and if they want to, they can take machinery, technology and ideas home that they can use on their farms.”

PREPPED AND READY: Long-time committee member of Wimmera Machinery Field Days, Andrew Bell, has been working hard with the team to have the field days site ready for exhibitors and farmers.

CARRACHER

SUPPORT: Laharum Football Netball Club members, including, from left, senior footballer Joel Pymer, senior coach Glenn Doyle and senior footballer Astrin Morrison, will be manning the Alan Heard Pavilion kiosk at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

Clubs throw support to event

Laharum Football Netball Club players and members will join teams of community and sporting organisations across the region as volunteers at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

Laharum volunteers will provide food and drink at the Alan Heard Pavilion kiosk across the event’s three days, serving coffee, slices and sandwiches.

Twenty years giving back

Club president Brian Burke said while volunteers were often hard to find, they remained integral to the field days’ ‘hectic’ three-day schedule.

“Just like a sports club, the field days relies on volunteers, so Laharum will be catering and getting involved in a great regional event,” he said.

“It is also a good chance to generate some money for the club.”

Astalwart

of the Wimmera Machinery Field Days committee, Andrew Bell is looking forward to welcoming exhibitors, farmers and the community back to Wimmera Events Centre next week.

“This year will mark my 20th Wimmera Machinery Field Days as a member of the committee,” Mr Bell said.

“Being part of the committee is a great community service opportunity.

“It’s almost like being part of a football team – you get your mates to join, stand around and talk and do a bit of work as well.

“It’s something I always wanted to

do – to be able to give back to the community and our local farmers.”

Mr Bell farms mainly sheep and a small amount of crop at Mockinya, south of Horsham, and said the field days were a chance to learn from and catch up with other farmers from across the region.

“We learn a bit from other farmers as we’re going around doing our jobs as well,” he said.

“We chat with them about their paddocks and what they are doing with their stock and crops.

“There are not many other sheep farmers on the committee, but when we get together, we have a good yarn.”

Mr Bell said it was exciting to have the field days back in action and to get the community together at Longerenong.

‘We’ve had a good roll-up of exhibitors who are keen to come back and the team is all back together again to organise the event, which is great,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to the whole three days, but the first day is so good.

“It is when everything jumps to life and by the second and third day, everything tends to run pretty smoothly.

“The first day is when we put out all the little fires that happen and race around to do the little jobs we are ready and trained to do.”

Picture: PAUL

COMMUNITY EVENT: Wimmera Machinery Field Days committee member Jamie Petrass is excited to see the result of the committee’s hard work at the upcoming field days event. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Long-term benefits for region

BY JESSICA GRIMBLE

TheWimmera is rolling out the welcome mat for thousands of visitors to the region.

However, the influx of people is not just a positive sign for tourism.

Leaders say it has the potential for broad, long-term benefits – including destination awareness, region pride, and investment, attraction and retention of skilled professionals.

Horsham Rural City Council tourism and business development officer Gloria McRae said more than 20,000 people would visit the region during the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

“This has a huge impact on our local accommodation businesses as well as our cafes, bakeries and retail shops,” she said.

“It’s easily the biggest event in the Wimmera and the beauty of it is that people come from all corners of south-eastern Australia, so there’s a good mix of people here throughout several days.

“We find that accommodation closest to Horsham sells out first and then the demand starts to shift to neighbouring towns, which provides a welcome economic boost in those places as well.

“With visitors coming to our events, we want them to really get a glimpse of what the area has to offer.

“Events can change people’s perception of a destination.”

Grampians Tourism chief executive Marc Sleeman said large-scale events,

including the field days, served as an ‘appetiser’ to promote the region to visitors.

“You have events such as the field days and Grampians Grape Escape; you have events like the Dunkeld Races that attracts 10,000 visitors – and those events will bring incremental visitation to the region,” he said.

“People from interstate and intrastate will come to our destination to experience everything it has to offer.

“The flow-on effect is significant because they’re staying across the whole region.

“We don’t have enough accommodation in Horsham to cater for a bigscale event, so people who are going

to the field days might stay in Stawell, for example.”

Mr Sleeman said the Grampians recorded the third-highest annual growth of a Victorian region of overnight spend increase, above levels recorded in the 12 months from September 2018 to September 2019 prior to the pandemic.

“It’s easily the biggest event in the Wimmera and the beauty of it is that people come from all corners of south-eastern Australia, so there’s a good mix of people here throughout several days”

He said ‘brand awareness’ remained a significant challenge for the region – and one his regional tourism board was seeking to address, along with encouraging people to stay longer and spend money in the region.

“The data tells us that only 10 percent of metro Melbourne residents know where we are – so we’ve still got a lot of work to do,” he said.

“There’s such a low awareness that most of our activity is just a positioning piece for our region.”

Mr Sleeman said visitation growth had the potential to attract more private investment and it could also attract new residents to the region.

He said a ‘coalition of the willing’ –including the tourism board’s funding organisations and people and businesses in neighbouring areas – were leading a changing mindset in relation to tourism, service provision and population growth.

“We need to put the consumer at the front of every decision we make,” he said.

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WELCOME: Customer service officer Lachie Freijah, visitor services manager Caroline Price, centre, and tourism director Gloria McRae at Horsham Town Hall visitor centre. The trio are set to welcome visitors to the region keen to explore more of what the city has to offer. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Energy high for ‘normal’ event

BY ABBY WALTER

Abuzz is in the air among exhibitors and organisers for the return of the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

Three years on since the last time Wimmera Events Centre at Longerenong was bursting at the seams with agricultural machinery, farmers and industry professionals, the field days are back.

Wimmera Machinery Field Days manager Vanessa Lenehan said it was fantastic to see the field days return.

“We managed to host the event in 2020 with a week to spare before COVID lockdowns, and in 2022 we nearly got there but had to cancel,” she said.

“That was a bit of a practice run of planning the event, but finally we get to see it to the end and see all our hard work come to fruition.”

Western Victorian Wholesalers will be one of many exhibitors at the Wimmera Events Centre this year.

General manager Darren Scott said he was looking forward to being back after two years away from the event.

“We get to see such a variety of people throughout the three days,” he said.

“We get to meet potential clients and people who didn’t know us previously.

“It helps us branch into new areas, and for people who are not looking for us to see us there and find a way to work together.”

Mr Scott said the team was ‘very prepared’ for the field days.

“We have plenty of stock and have industry professionals joining us from the various products we have, to showcase more of what we offer,” he said.

“It’s just good to be back – the field days are good for the local economy and local people.

“It will be a positive event, which is exactly what we need in 2023.”

Wimmera Machinery Field Days president Tim Rethus agreed the energy was positive for this year’s event.

“After two years off and all the excitement we’ve seen with other field days that have returned, there seems to be a lot of interest,” he said.

“We’ve had a really good response from our exhibitors – it’s going to be a really full site this year and the energy is there for 2023.

“I think people are keen to come to the field days, so I am excited to run this one after so long.”

Mr Rethus said being back together was the biggest highlight of this year’s event.

“It’s pretty special to get all the crew back together again. The committee has been running on ‘slo-mo’ for the past two years, so to be back into the work is great,” he said.

“When we’re on-site together, the banter and energy we get from being there and getting the work done is the best.”

Mrs Lenehan said the field days were ‘back to normal’.

“We’re still going to have sanitiser stations for those who wish to use them, but there are no restrictions on people who can come out,” she said.

“I think the best part of 2023 will be seeing all the exhibitors again – having them come back and going around and seeing them and showing them we’re thankful for their support.

“Also, to have the general public come through the gates will be great.

“The impact this has on the town is huge – it will be so good to see Horsham alive with a good vibe around the place because the field days are happening.”

Volunteer committee takes lead

Helping

On-site

Our Mission...

‘To create and maintain a meaningful andmutually beneficial relationships with our Distributors and their staff to ultimately deliver the best value to the end user of our products while creating benefits for all concerned’

Wimmera

Machinery Field Days is a broadacre and agriculture machinery-focussed event led each year by a volunteer committee. Executive committee – President: Tim Rethus; senior vice-president: Harry Young; junior vicepresident: Darryl McCrae; chief steward: Sam Eagle; site steward: Chris Bartlett. Management – Manager: Vanessa Lenehan; office manager: Sally Hernon; office and events assistants: Lisa McRae and Rebecca Steadman. General committee – John Aisbett, Andrew Bell, Jamie Byrne, Wendy Byrne, Alister Cameron, James Gardner, Robyn Gulline, Will Gulline, Zach Holmes, David Jochinke, Beau Ladlow, Jordan Lee, Pepe Luciani, Heath Martin, Bryan Matuschka, Sam McGennisken, Daniel Mibus, Luke Milgate, Peter Moore, Jeff Moore,

Wade Morrow, Paul Petering, Brian Petrass, Jamie Petrass, Luke Rethus, Kurtis Schodde and Nick Zordan.

Country Lifestyle co-ordinators – Wendy Byrne, Robyn Gulline, Sam Eagle and Beau Ladlow. Honorary members – T. Blair, V.H. Greer, M.E. Gribben, B.J. Johanson, B.J. Jones, R.G. Ladlow, R. Lingham, J.F. Londsdale, G.F. Miller, G.T. Tippet, N. Varley, R.E. Wirth and L.W. Worthy. Life members – A.A. Bodey, N.R. Curran, T.C. Davey, D.J. Garth, G.K. Gulline, A.T. Heard, P.J. Heard, M. Hobbs, R.F. Jess, W.L. Johns, I.D. Ladlow, R.A Levitzke, B. Matuschka, C.L. Moore, J.G. Moore, P. Moore, I.H. Nettlebeck, B.H. Perry, I.B. Reid, G. Rethus, E.H. Ruwoldt, N.L. Ruwoldt, R.P. Ruwoldt, I.C Schmidt, G.W. Schmidt and E.T. Tucker.

WELL PREPARED: Darren, Faye and Graeme Scott of Western Victorian Wholesalers are looking forward to getting back out to the Wimmera Machinery Field Days site after a twoyear hiatus. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Market square to showcase ‘local’

BY ABBY WALTER

Wimmera

Machinery Field Days’ newest feature will showcase the region’s food and beverage businesses.

The Local Market Square will include 13 Wimmera businesses near the Moore Exhibition Centre and field days office.

Wimmera Machinery Field Days manager Vanessa Lenehan said the Local Market Square was an element organisers were trialling in 2023.

“We just wanted to do something a little bit different and allow our local gourmet food and wine producers to showcase what they do and their products,” she said.

“It’s been really good that we can offer them the Local Market Square and have them out at the site.

“We are all about supporting locals and the Wimmera towns that support us.”

New Horsham-based business Jack’s Nuts will be one of the businesses at the Local Market Square.

Jack’s Nuts owners Jack Rabah and Tracey Thomson started the business six months ago and are looking forward to exhibiting their products at the field days.

“We moved here from Melbourne nearly two years ago and quickly realised we couldn’t buy high-quality nuts locally,” Ms Thomson said.

“We have no idea what to expect from going to the field days, but we are excited to be a part of it.

“Business is slow and steady and we’ve done some local markets, so now we are getting the word out more and more about who we are.”

Ms Thomson said the pair moved to Horsham

“This is a really good chance to meet people we wouldn’t otherwise. We’ve heard it’s going to be a big event and lots of fun”

– Tracey Thomson

after experiencing a series of lockdowns in Melbourne.

“We knew there had to be something better for us and we looked regional for more space. We moved to Horsham have loved being here ever since,” she said.

“We both save two hours per day now that we don’t have traffic to get through to work, so we thought why wouldn’t we use that spare time for something else? That prompted this business as our side hustle.”

Ms Thomson said the field days would be a chance to learn.

“Before we moved to Horsham, we had never met a farmer,” she said.

“This is a really good chance to meet people we wouldn’t otherwise.

“We’ve heard it’s going to be a big event and lots of fun.”

3WM is a major supporter of the market square initiative.

Businesses exhibiting in the Local Market Square include: Beetanicals, Casey’s Pantry, Farmgirl Produce, Five Ducks Farms, Grampians Olive Co, Jacks Nuts, Miners Ridge Wines, Mount Langi Ghiran, Mount Stapylton Wines, Patchwork Jungle, Seppelt Wines Great Western, Springhill Special Treats, and The Wimmera Grain Store.

Exhibitors in line for awards

Exhibitors at this year’s Wimmera Machinery Field Days will need to spruce up their sites for a chance at various awards up for grabs.

In 2020, there were eight awards presented across various categories.

Wimmera Machinery Field Days manager Vanessa Lenehan said the awards had been condensed this year.

“We will still have the machine of the year, innovation of the year and then we’re awarding best outdoor site, best country lifestyle site and best indoor site,” she said.

“It rewards the exhibitors who put the effort

in and make their site look really good, which is nice.”

Wimmera Machinery Field Days president Tim Rethus said while the award list was smaller, there was a variety to be won.

“I think it shows when someone puts effort into their site,” he said.

“Obviously, they get way more traffic, but it also makes the whole site look fantastic, so we like to reward people and businesses for that.

“We will be very interested to see what new innovations and technologies that turn up this year and what people are trying to get out there and show.”

SHOWCASE: Jack Rabah and Tracey Thomson of Jack’s Nuts are looking forward to being one of 13 exhibitors at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days’ Local Market Square.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Winks team help patrons rest easy

Forty Winks Horsham wants field days patrons to rest easy.

The retailer will exhibit at the event next week for the first time in more than 30 years in business in the Wimmera.

People can try Harrison Spinks, Crown and Mlily mattresses at the Moore Exhibition Centre site and seek advice from sleep specialists who, as the slogan goes, are serious about sleep.

Manager Mick Shannon said patrons would appreciate the time, effort and craftsmanship of the Harrison Spinks range, which was introduced to the Pynsent Street store last year.

The luxury brand manufactures its product –from growing its own wool, hemp, flax and cotton as key components of the mattress, to sewing the product by hand.

Each mattress takes a day to prepare for market.

“We introduced the Harrison Spinks range last year, recognising an opportunity for Wimmera people to buy a mattress that is made of the same stuff they might grow on their own properties; to celebrate the paddock to plate process,” Mr Shannon said.

“One of the things we love most about Harrison Spinks is the great farming story behind it.

“We also love that its mattress components

Exhibitor profile

never go to landfill. Once people are finished with the mattress, which is likely about 15 years, everything can be recycled or repurposed.

“Our team, and representatives of some of our favourite companies, will be at the field days to offer advice – which starts with a purchase, but, by buying locally, also has the benefit of continued service and support for the years to come.

“That’s something we pride ourselves on and we’re known for – our ongoing service and support of people right across the Wimmera and Mallee.”

People can also view examples of adjustable beds, bed heads and manchester – either in physical form or via an electronic touch-screen experience.

The team can arrange store pick-up.

“With the amount of people at the field days, it’s a great chance to show people what they can purchase from us locally – catering for all ages and stages of life,” Mr Shannon said.

Forty Winks Horsham opened in 1990. Its team has more than 50 years experience, combined.

The store is also proud to support community initiatives, clubs and groups.

Rural counsellors reaching out

Rural Financial Counselling Service Victoria West will bring its free and confidential support service to this year’s Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

The service has worked with farmers since 1986, when a number of local government areas joined forces to help those most in need.

RFCS Victoria West has since grown to also support regional business owners; and in 2020, the service added wellbeing services specifically for farmers and regional small business owners, and their families.

RFCS Victoria West executive officer David Stafford said the service’s mission was to provide support to people of all walks of life across the vast west of regional Victoria.

“Our mission is to strengthen the ability of primary producers and small businesses in Victoria’s regional west to take action to manage change, adjust to challenges and plan for the future,” he said.

“The Wimmera Machinery Field Days act as a barometer for social, economic, agricultural prosperity and growth in the entire region. This is why we feel that supporting the event is key.

“Just like us, they are not-for-profit. The

hard-working regional volunteer committee has managed to get this occasion up and running every year since 1963 – a tremendous effort.”

RFCS Victoria West is a not-for-profit charity governed by a board with external support from regional partners and both the state and federal governments. Its rural financial counsellors work in the regions they live, helping them to better understand conditions and communities.

It is through this work that people can gain a clear understanding on their financial position, explore options, develop budgets and plans, apply for grants and more.

Mr Stafford said support was a phone call away.

“Our service provides help for farmers and regional small businesses in Western Victoria – we want to hear from you should you need support,” he said.

“We are here to help and completely free of charge or obligation. Our counsellors are here to talk to you.”

If you, or someone you know, needs support, phone on 1300 735 578. Alternatively, people can email admin@wswrcs.com.au or visit www. RFCSVictoriaWest.com.au for information.

QUALITY FOCUS: The team at Forty Winks Horsham, from left, Kerry Cassidy, Lyn Hofmaier, Keith Emmerson, Jenny Grimble and Mick Shannon, will exhibit at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days for the first time this year, helping event patrons to get a great night’s sleep.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Forty Winks Horsham

Field days building our profile

BY JESSICA GRIMBLE

The Wimmera Machinery Field Days offers a compelling insight into the future of the agriculture industry.

Wimmera Development Association chief executive Chris Sounness said the long-awaited return of the field days, following COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions, offered a unique chance to learn about agriculture innovation, impact and benefit – from a diversity of people and industries.

“The Wimmera Machinery Field Days is a significant event for our region,” he said.

“As with all our major events, it attracts people from within and outside the region and gives a real boost to accommodation and service businesses.

“For our region to grow, we need to showcase it well – and the Wimmera Machinery Field Days does a great job at building our profile.

“It focuses on our competitive advantage – agriculture and food production – and brings people from across Australia to highlight innovation and where agriculture is moving to next.

“During the past few years, without the field days, many farmers and those involved in the agriculture supply chain haven’t had a chance to fully understand what’s going on in other parts of the supply chain.

“If we want to be innovative in the region, it’s so important there is inter-

OPPORTUNITY: Wimmera Development Association chief executive Chris Sounness is enthusiastic about the opportunities facing the agriculture industry.

action between people from different regions and industries so new ideas can percolate and be utilised.”

Mr Sounness said truly understanding the potential of innovation in agriculture could have significant and widespread benefits.

“People are getting their mind around how much innovation is involved in the machinery on offer in 2023, for example, and it’s really exciting – because it will drive a lot of the productivity and growth that the agriculture industry needs to remain competitive,” he said.

“There is a growing realisation, among the supply chain, that under-

standing market demands and what major export partners are requiring from our produce is more important than ever, going forward.

“Regions such as Europe, South Korea and Japan are all demanding food and agriculture produce from where they understand how products are produced – and they are willing to pay a premium.

“Gaining a greater understanding will enable producers to meet the expectations of Asian and European markets.”

Mr Sounness said as legislative targets were introduced, it was also important that producers considered their

ability to lower carbon emissions.

“Ag-tech and innovation is a key way to allow that transition to lower-emission farming, which will then mean we can better meet our key export partners’ needs for produce that is produced with the lowest possible emissions,” he said.

Mr Sounness, who worked in agriculture throughout his career, said the diversity of career pathways in the industry could ‘reinvigorate’ the next generation.

“The amount of investment from the technology industry in agriculture has meant that there has been a real focus on innovation in agriculture and this

is attracting the next wave of innovators and entrepreneurs who are keen to work in the industry on farms, or serving the agriculture supply chain,” he said.

“It’s a really exciting time and there are so many different pathways to take your career.”

Wimmera Development Association is leading a new initiative that aims to sell Wimmera-made food products from the region’s supermarkets.

Wimmera Harvest Fare, a collaboration also involving Wimmera Mallee Tourism and the Centre for Participation, will launch this month.

It was borne out of a State Government program that attempts to upscale business operations of small-scale and craft food products.

It will ensure 13 participating food producers from across the Wimmera will have their packaged product in a self-contained Wimmera-food section at 10 independent supermarkets.

Mr Sounness said the field days’ ‘Local Market Square’ would complement the Wimmera Harvest Fare initiative.

“We’re working hard to increase the availability of local produce in our local retail shops and supermarkets throughout the region,” he said.

“Wimmera Harvest Fare is a label we hope will enable both local people to buy local produce, and, equally as important, for businesses in the region to buy goods that are produced locally.”

UP

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Timeless designs

Crossing state borders came with extreme challenges during COVID-19 restrictions.

Businesses such as Out and About Clothing, a small business located in the South Australian town of Keith, can now step easily into the Wimmera when it returns to the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

Established in 2001, Out and About Clothing provides women, of all sizes, a colourful collection of rugby jumpers and polos with bright contrasting collars and trims – and can even custom-make garments to fit an individual’s measurements.

There are more than 450 different designs to choose from.

Out and About Clothing has attended the Wimmera field days for many years.

Owner and designer Christine Rosenzweig has turned a love of sewing into a thriving clothing label and loves to attend the event, along with

Exhibitor profile

Out and About Clothing

others across the country, to offer women a chance to view one of the largest colour ranges of women’s rugby tops they could find.

“We use lots of spots and stripes to create unique, timeless designs that women just love,” she said.

Out and About Clothing offers women both relaxed-fit and semi-fitted jumpers, from sizes extra small to 6XL. There is also a range of children’s jumpers.

“We will provide customers with the option to view hundreds of different rugby tops. The most difficult part will be choosing,” she said.

The Out and About Clothing site is located in the Country Lifestyle Pavilion.

People wanting more information can go to www.outandaboutclothing.com.au

Emmetts and Bredal offer a full range of spreaders, from three-point linkage models right through to trailing with up to 21,000 litre capacity. All offering Bredals exceptional accuracy across a variety of different products.

What’s accuracy without width? This is where our Bredal XE range comes in, the spinners are positioned 6 metres apart giving the material a head start to successfully reach 48 metres in urea.

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PLENTY OF OPTIONS: A regular site holder at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days, Out and About Clothing will again feature in the Country Lifestyle Pavilion.

Wimmera Machinery Field Days special edition

Changing with the times

Victoria’s

longest-running field days began as a two-day event with about 80 exhibitors and 3000 attendees.

In March 1963, a year after a group of Wimmera farmers attended agricultural field days in Orange, New South Wales, the first Wimmera Machinery Field Days were hosted.

The group of farmers returned from Orange and formed a committee. They decided to host the inaugural event at a site provided by Longerenong Agricultural College.

In its 60-year history, the Wimmera Machinery Field Days have only been cancelled once, in 2022, and were hosted virtually in 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Throughout the years there have been field days with almost 10 times as many exhibitors as there were in attendance at the first event.

A twilight event, expanding to three

days, auctions, various special guests and a growing exhibitor list, the Wimmera Machinery Field Days has changed a lot throughout time.

In 2003, 40 years after the first event, then field days secretary Noel Curran said the event had a ‘Genetically Modified Crops Feature’, as it was the ‘hottest topic’ in farming that year. At the 50th event, in 2012, technology was at the forefront of the event, from machinery getting larger to cover more land more efficiently, to advancements in farm precision technology.

Although farming continues to evolve, the nature of the field days has stayed the same, as a not-for-profit event that puts money back into the Wimmera Events Centre and field days site.

It continues to be run primarily by volunteers, with a small team employed to manage the event.

Next year will mark the 60th

Days.

CAIRNS, LONGREACH, MAGNETIC ISLAND & BARRIER REEF

12 days

Thursday 8th June $6710

Highlights: Bourke, Darling River, Charleville, Cosmos Centre, Blackall Woolscour, Longreach, Stockman’s Hall of Fame, Thomson River Cruise, Charters Towers, Magnetic Island, Paronella Park, Australian Sugar Museum, Green Island, Cairns, Barrier Reef, Daintree River Cruise, Kuranda Train and Sky Rail, Breakfast with the Birds, Port Douglas

CAIRNS & THE GULF COUNTRY INC BIRDSVILLE

16 days

Friday 16th June $8380

MCG tour, Parliament House, Eureka Observation Deck, Rayner’s Fruit Orchard, Coombe Cottage & Devonshire Tea, Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, Mt Dandenong Lookout, Tea Leaves Australia, St Paul’s Cathedral, Southbank, Yarra River Cruise.

BRIGHT IN AUTUMN

6 days Thursday 4th May

$2590

Highlights: Benalla, Bright Autumn Leaves, Harrietville, Wandiligong, Bright Art Gallery, Red Stag Deer Farm, Beechworth, Burke Museum, Yackandandah, Falls Creek, Bogong National Park, Mt Buffalo, Mt Beauty, Kiewa Valley, Lavender Farm, Myrtleford, and Glenrowan.

SYDNEY AND THE BLUE MOUNTAINS

8 days Thursday 11th May $4120

Highlights: Wodonga, Dog on the Tuckerbox, Sydney, Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour, The Rocks, Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise, Sydney Tower, Kings Cross, Bondi Beach, Manly Ferry, Chinatown, Star City Casino, Blue Mountains, Katoomba, Bathurst, Cowra, Young.

CAPE YORK AND THURSDAY ISLAND

10 days Sunday 21st May $6150

Highlights: Cairns city accommodation, Cape Tribulation, World Heritage Daintree National Park, Bloomfield Track, Cooktown, Lakefield National Park, Musgrave Telegraph Station, Weipa, Bramwell Station, Fruit Bat Falls, Seisia, Cape York tip, Thursday Island.

CAIRNS, THE GULF, BIRDSVILLE, MARREE & FLINDERS RANGES

24 days Thursday 8th June $11,990

Highlights: Bourke, Darling River, Charleville, Cosmos Centre, Blackall Woolscour, Longreach, Stockman’s Hall of Fame, Thomson River Cruise, Charters Towers, Magnetic Island, Paronella Park, Australian Sugar Museum, Green Island, Cairns, Barrier Reef, Daintree River Cruise, Kuranda Train and Sky Rail, Breakfast with the Birds, Port Douglas, Undara Lava Tubes, Gulflander Train Ride, Gulf of Carpentaria Sunset Cruise, Mt Isa, Birdsville, Marree, Lake Eyre, Flinders Ranges, Burra, Renmark.

Highlights: Cairns, Green Island, Barrier Reef, Daintree River Cruise, Breakfast with the Birds, Port Douglas, Atherton Tableland, Georgetown, Undara Lava Tubes, Gulflander Train Ride, Normanton, Karumba, Gulf of Carpentaria Sunset Cruise, Mt Isa, Birdsville, Marree, Lake Eyre, Flinders Ranges, Burra, Renmark.

SPLENDID SINGAPORE

10 days

Thursday 6th July $7590

Highlights: Luxury Hotel Accommodation, Stunning Singapore, City Sights Tour, Botanic & Orchid Gardens, Singapore River Cruise, Fullerton Bay Hotel High Tea, The Singapore Zoo, Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands Lookout, S.E.A Aquarium, Changi District, National Museum of Singapore, Gardens by the Bay, English Speaking Guides.

NORTHWESTER & SOUTH WEST COAST

47 days

Monday 24th July $21,190

“See the itinerary for the many tour highlights”.

DARWIN VIA CENTRAL AUSTRALIA

15 days

Monday 24th July $8590

Highlights: Central Australia, Coober Pedy, Ayers Rock, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs, West MacDonnell Ranges, Tennant Creek, Katherine Gorge Cruise, Kakadu, Yellow Waters Cruise, Darwin, Mindil Market, Litchfield National Park.

COOBER PEDY, AYERS ROCK, ALICE SPRINGS

9 days

Monday 24th July $5540

Highlights: Adelaide, Port Augusta, Central Australia, Coober Pedy, Umoona Opal Mine, Ayres Rock, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs, West MacDonnell Ranges, Standley Chasm, Alice Springs Reptile Centre, Alice Springs Desert Park, Royal Flying Doctor Service, Alice Springs School of the Air, Alice Springs Telegraph Station.

WEST COAST, KIMBERLEY & SOUTH WEST COAST

35 days Saturday 5th August $15,850

“See the itinerary for the many tour highlights”.

WEST COAST AND THE KIMBERLEY

23 days Saturday 5th August $11,665

Highlights: Darwin, Mindil Beach Market, Katherine, Kununurra, Ord River Cruise, El Questro Station, Zebedee Springs, Chamberlain Gorge Cruise, Wyndham, Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing, Derby, Boab Prison Tree, Broome, Willie Creek Pearl Farm, Cable Beach, Port Hedland, Tom Price, Exmouth, Coral Bay, Monkey Mia, Kalbarri, Perth.

DARWIN TO BROOME AND THE KIMBERLEY

12 days Saturday 5th August $7730

Highlights: Darwin, Mindil Beach Market, Katherine, Kununurra, Ord River Cruise, El Questro Station, Zebedee Springs, Chamberlain Gorge Cruise, Wyndham, Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing, Derby, Boab Prison Tree, Broome, Willie Creek Pearl Farm, Cable Beach.

BROOME TO PERTH INCLUDING TOM PRICE & NINGALOO REEF

14 days Monday 14th August $7790

PERTH AND SOUTH WEST COAST

15 days Friday 25th August $6830

CAPE YORK AND THURSDAY ISLAND

10 days Sunday 10th September $6150

CANBERRA “FLORIADE”

6 days Sunday 24th September $2725

TASMANIA

10 days Monday 2nd October $5190

VIETNAM

17 days Thursday 12th October $7980

NEW ZEALAND DISCOVERY

17 days Sunday 29th October $8890

SAPPHIRE COAST

9 days Thursday 16th November $3990

Wimmera Machinery Field

TIME FOR A CHAT: Darren Cameron, left, and Peter Grant talk sheep at the 2018 Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

EXPOSURE: Above, Wimmera business RFM staff attending the field days in 2006, and right, Jade Hawker and Craig Hopkins with their product award at the Claas stand in 2018.

UltraSlim 2000

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• Max weight 340kg

‘Small’ company growing

Exhibitor profile

Smallaire

Horsham manufacturer Smallaire has achieved 49 years of manufacturing excellence and continues to grow.

The family-owned and operated business started ‘small’ in the Wimmera in 1974, seeking solutions for the region’s long, hot summers.

It has gone on to become a world-renowned name as innovators of seeding technology for its vast range of air seeder components and high-pressure blowers.

Smallaire designs, creates and manufactures evaporative airconditioners and agricultural, horticultural, dairy and poultry products, metal art and numerous other products for almost any application.

All products manufactured by Smallaire are the creative inspiration of its research and development team and company founder, Gary Small.

Director Lolita Small encouraged people to visit Smallaire’s Wimmera Machinery Field Days site to view its products and say ‘hi’ to Jock, Paul, Brett and the team.

“Smallaire continues to pride itself on innovative solutions to all its customers in air movement needs through its intense research and development programs to provide its customers high-quality, long-lasting components that peo-

ple have come to trust,” she said.

“The company continues to grow itself – not only in Australia but around the world – with its dedication to extending its overseas customers to prove and expand its technology.

“This has has led to the company

being able to export its range of high-quality components globally to manufacturers, farmers and agronomists who strive to achieve only the best results.”

The business is a multi-award winner in manufacturing excellence and export, having been

Expanding flock

Australia’s sheep flock is set to reach its largest size in more than 15 years at 78.75 million head.

Meat and Livestock Australia, MLA, forecasts record lamb production that will eclipse 2016 and 2022 totals.

The increase is attributable to optimal breeding conditions nationwide, a genetically superior flock, improved lambing percentages and medium-term industry confidence at a farm gate level.

MLA market information analyst Ripley Atkinson said the growth of the national flock in 2023 would lead to increased slaughter numbers and production.

“Lamb slaughter is forecast to reach 22.6 million in 2023 as a result of large numbers of breeding ewes and strong marking rates. This is a rise of 595,000 head, or 2.7 percent, year-on-year,” he said.

“Last year’s slaughter performance showed that small stock processors had a greater ability to increase their throughput in line with higher supply, a trend MLA expects will continue.

“Looking further ahead to 2024, we forecast it to be a record year for lamb slaughter, reaching 23.2 million head. This would be a rise of three percent, or 560,000 year-on-year and higher by 1.1 million head, or five percent, on the 10-year average.”

Key sheep producing states, New South Wales and Victoria, are forecast to lift numbers, although not as significantly as other states.

named an ACE Radio Wimmera Business Awards business of the year in 2018 and listed as a finalist in the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame in 2018.

It won the manufacturing and innovation award at the Wimmera Business Awards in 2022.

In 2024 the national flock’s growth is projected to moderate and plateau, reaching 79.5 million head, a rise of one percent, or 750,000 head year-on-year.

In 2025, the national flock is estimated to fall to 2023 levels, although it will remain above the 10-year average.

SHOWCASE: Jock Baker, pictured with air-seeder parts at Smallaire’s Horsham site, will join the team at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days next week.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Hearing group’s last hurrah

Exhibitor profile

Wimmera Machinery Field Days attendees will have their last chance to speak to Horsham-based hearing specialists at this year’s event.

Wimmera Hearing Society declared last year, after more than 40 years, the State Government was redirecting its funding from preventative to chronic management of hearing loss.

The society, headed by Horsham’s Sue Ward since 1981, will offer its free hearing services at the field days site from March 7 to 9, for the last time.

Mrs Ward said the hearing society team would ‘get on with the job’, despite the society’s imminent closure at the end of March.

She said the society recognised the support the event committee and its attendees had given it across more than four decades, and acknowledged the ‘free’ field-days site afforded to the society to conduct its tests each year.

“We will be providing the same service we always have at the field days,” she said.

“People can get a full hearing assessment, an inspection of their ears for obstructions and a summary of the results – all provided to them on the spot.

“The tests allow us to tell peo-

ple if and what their hearing loss is and, importantly, how it is affecting them day-to-day and their options moving forward.”

Mrs Ward said it was common for farmers to be unaware of their hearing loss, and while hearing aids were an option for people with significant hearing loss – there remained other strategies of dealing with the issue.

“There are simple communica-

tion strategies for farmers with hearing loss and their families to manage it – small tips and tricks to make life easier for them moving forward,” she said.

Mrs Ward said hearing tests would typically take society volunteers no more than five to 10 minutes.

She said farmers often did not prioritise their ears, but were often affected by hearing loss.

proud sponsor

“They might think, ‘I am too old, why bother?’. But they should always bother, because even if there is hearing loss, it is possible to stop it from getting worse,” she said.

“Hearing loss is often hidden, too. It can sneak up on you.

“So, if hearing aids are the solution for you – new technology is wonderful. They are clear, small, fitted and comfortable to wear.”

College showcase

Ballarat Clarendon College has been attending the Wimmera Machinery Field Days for more than 20 years.

The school is excited to visit the Wimmera community again, and for the opportunity to share its story with new families.

Clarendon considers everything an opportunity for learning – every interaction, every race, every piece of writing.

Attending a boarding school is about more than what happens in the classroom.

What happens on the stage, the playing field and in the boarding house helps young people develop skills and capacities to pursue their dreams.

The school has a long association with families from the Wimmera, with boarders being key members of its broad co-curricular programs –whether that is playing a sport or refining talents in performing arts programs of dance, drama or music.

While the past few years have been challenging, they did provide an opportunity to explore new methods of delivering education programs.

An example occurred last year when three students represented Australia at the World Junior Rowing Championships in Italy. During their down time, the girls engaged with their classes in Ballarat via an online platform.

The size of boarding houses ensures every student is cared for.

Each tutor is responsible for a small mentor group and provides the pastoral care support that each individual needs.

Boarders also participate in weekend activities such trips to Melbourne, Geelong and various social events on campus, should they choose to stay in Ballarat during the weekend.

People can visit representatives of the college in the Moore Exhibition Centre.

Wimmera Hearing Society

GETTING ON WITH THE JOB: Wimmera Hearing Society chair Wayne Jackson and manager Sue Ward will be at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days next week, for the last time. The society, which operates from a Roberts Avenue office, will close its doors on March 24.

Ballarat Clarendon College

Exhibitor profile

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Records set for rural land sales

BY ABBY WALTER

Wimmera real estate principals say farmland prices have been historically high and the coming months will set the trends for the year ahead.

Harcourts Horsham director Mark Clyne said there was a reasonable amount of land up for auction this month.

“Prime selling season is February through to April, which will set the benchmark for land prices this year,” he said.

“The best way to find the value of land is to auction it, because it’s the market that sets what people are willing to pay – there’s no set price for a parcel of dirt.”

Gerry Smith and Co managing director Gerry Smith said rural properties were continuing to sell well.

“It’s hard to pick a trend until the selling season ends at the end of March,” he said.

“There have been some high prices and they’re holding high, with demand definitely there.

“When commodity prices are relatively good, as we have seen recently, we see the returns in that farmers have the capacity to spend more.

“The amount of land on the market is not different to most selling seasons.

“It would be concerning if there was lots of

land going on the market.” Mr Clyne said multiple records were set during the past 12 months – particularly for smaller land parcels.

“Farmers are paying $3000 to $4000 more on land than it is probably worth, just to get it,” he said.

“In the past two years we have seen the farmers who own some of the larger properties in the area and have access to funds, buy the majority of land that is for sale, particularly neighbouring properties to their own.

“Bigger operations are more capable to pay the bigger prices, however if their farms are now at capacity, they start to move to the sidelines and that’s what we’re starting to see.

“We may now begin to see farmers who have middle-tier size properties have opportunities to buy as they appear to have missed out in recent years.”

Mr Clyne said there was plenty of activity in the buying space with banks reporting farmers were assessing whether or not they had the capacity to purchase more land.

“If the market does hit a hurdle, it’s more to do with prices than selling land because there are always willing buyers – it’s just a matter of how much it would go for,” he said.

Young farmers upskill, invest

Wimmera young farmers are expanding their knowledge and developing business planning and on-farm operations with a $10,000 scholarship.

Murtoa farmer Kieran Delahunty and Langkoop farmer Clinton Rokebrand were among 13 recipients of the Upskill and Invest Young Farmers Scholarships in 2022.

Former Wimmera resident Jessica Frankel was also a scholarship recipient.

Mr Delahunty said the scholarship was made up of two sections – one for upskilling and one for investment.

“I am doing self-guided learning and mentoring through Think Agri for the upskilling proponent, which involves people and personal leadership, financial literacy and awareness and production outcomes,” he said.

“I’ve been back on the farm for a few years now and I aim to build a business plan – that’s the investment.

“Hopefully I will also be a better farm business manager. I want to future-proof the farm – with climate change and external pressures it’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day work, but I want to make us as viable as possible.”

Mr Delahunty said the scholarship provided a good opportunity to develop skills and knowledge.

“I just had a crack at the scholarship as it’s a chance to do something I wouldn’t normally be able to do,” he said.

“All of the recipients are using their scholarships for different agriculture further education.

“I’d encourage anyone to give it a go.”

Since 2015, 102 young farmers have been awarded Young Farmer scholarships by the state Minister for Agriculture.

The scholarship is available to any Australian citizen or permanent Victorian resident, aged 35 years or younger, who had worked in a food and fibre farm business in Victoria at least three days a week for the past three months and had at least two years of experience on-farm.

Recipients receive $5000 towards study opportunities and are given access to a further $5000 after they complete their studies to invest in putting new skills into practice.

The round eight recipients of the 2022 scholarships were awarded at a ceremony at Melbourne Town Hall in Melbourne late last year.

CONGRATULATIONS: Murtoa farmer Kieran Delahunty receives a $10,000 Young Farmers scholarship from Agriculture Victoria chief executive Matt Lowe.

Markets are consistent

Grain prices in the Wimmera have increased when compared with midJanuary, as harvest concludes in the region.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry reported Australian export prices, as of February 22, had fluctuated on the month prior, but remained consistent with prices at the same time last year.

Grain prices have decreased by a maximum of two percent and risen by up to five percent across various grains.

Milling wheat exported at $509 per tonne, feed wheat sold for $503 per tonne and feed barley exported at $412 per tonne. Canola exported at $1051 per tonne.

In the Wimmera, AWB recorded bid prices for APW1 wheat last week were between $363 and $371; barley was between $291 and $299; and canola at $716 to $721 per tonne.

Wimmera GrainCorp sites recorded bid prices between $362 and $374 for APW1 wheat, from $351 to $413 for barley and between $720 and $724 per tonne for canola on Thursday last week.

Graham Pymer, of Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange, on

Wednesday last week reported that quality in lamb and sheep was excellent with a firm to dear buying market.

Lamb numbers had remained consistent at 3600 while sheep numbers had dropped to 750.

Medium and heavy trade weight lambs sold from $173 to $214 with the extra heavy weights selling up to $250 per head.

Light weight lambs sold from $122 to $126 per head, while extra heavy lambs sold from $232 to $250 per head.

A few unshorn lambs sold from $132 to $212 per head.

Low sheep numbers resulted in solid competition, with sheep selling up $10 to $15 a head on the previous week.

Merino ewes sold to $141 and crossbred ewes sold to $131 per head.

Light sheep sold from $60 to $88 per head and medium weight sheep sold from $74 to $103 per head.

Heavy merino sheep sold from $103 to $141 per head and heavy crossbred sheep sold from $100 to $131 per head.

Rams sold from $20 to $53 per head and hoggets sold from $122 to $157 per head.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT: West Side Horsham staff, from left, Manuka Petera, Jonathon Lewis and Bek Lear are preparing to welcome people to the venue during the Wimmera Machinery Field Days and beyond. The venue is hosting a ‘Team Teal’ high-tea fundraiser, on behalf of Horsham Harness Racing Club, on Monday, March 13 to raise money for Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group for research into ovarian cancer. People can contact the venue for more information, or to make a booking.

Hospitality teams ready for influx

Hospitality venues are increasing the volume of rostered staff and pondering stock orders as the Wimmera Machinery Field Days and Labor Day long weekend loom.

Anecdotally, mid-week dining is keeping venues busy, regardless, as people take the chance to socialise over a meal after long periods of COVID-19 restrictions and illness.

With a diversity of dining options across Horsham and surrounding towns, residents and visitors will have the benefit of choice.

West Side Horsham manager Vicki McClure said the venue’s staff were well-drilled in preparing for whatever came their way.

“It’s business as usual, but we are also making sure we have staff and are covered in all areas of stock – as we always do,” she said.

“The bistro and sports bar are open for meals, and there are plenty of seats available.

“Booking ahead is important, but people also shouldn’t be afraid to call ahead or show up, because we will find space for them.”

Horsham Sports and Community Club manager Glenn Carroll said people were visiting his venue in strong numbers for lunch, dinner or a coffee – at all times of the day.

He said he was ‘interested’ to see what volume of traffic residents and visitors attending the field days would bring through the doors as the event returns after a COVID-19-enforced hiatus.

“We have extra staff working and the courtesy bus is running, so it can pick people up and drop people off and they can be responsible on their night out,” he said.

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Taking a punt

Afew years back, I became a bit concerned by the interest my then 21 year-old son and his mates had in horse races.

As a family, we often had shares in a horse and enjoyed some fun times at local and Melbourne races.

But I always felt it was an occasional day out, not a serious interest; and something you were happy to spend some money on, not a way to try to make money.

The impact of seductive betting apps was getting some attention, so it seemed like it was time to have that fatherly chat. Yep, they always go well.

After the expected eye roll and ‘here we go again’ sigh, I was surprised to receive a detailed explanation of the way the lads went about their punting.

They didn’t just back their favourite colour or a name they liked. They researched. They looked at breeding lines. They looked at the skills of the trainer and the jockey. They looked at track conditions and past and expected weather. They adjusted the size and nature of their bet depending on their confidence level.

As the conversation unfolded it began to have a familiar feel. This is not much different to what I’d been doing for 40 years – farming.

Around this time each year, farmers are reviewing trial data and selecting the best genetics.

They’re considering stored soil moisture alongside seasonal forecasts.

They’re ensuring they have the equipment and human resources to get the job done on time.

They weigh up all these factors to tailor a ro-

From left field

with David Matthews

tation they believe gives them the best chance of success.

Come April, they place their bets.

To further test the theory farming is just another legal form of betting, we set up two spreadsheets.

One was to record the performance of a lentil paddock, named Hurricane, over the full growing season – inputs, outputs, profit or loss.

The other was to record betting activity from the March autumn carnival to the end of Melbourne Cup week – wins, losses, net outcome.

It was a fun exercise. That year Hurricane won.

But I have an uneasy feeling the odds for Hurricane, and others in the same stable, are lengthening.

Even with the good barrier draw and favourable track of the past few seasons, the winning margin is tightening.

And, as can happen with addicted gamblers, we increase the size of the bet every year.

I’m not saying there’s cause for alarm, but I do feel, more than ever before, we need to be disciplined in the way we bet. Disciplined in our purchase of machinery. Disciplined in what we are prepared to pay for farmland. Disciplined in our execution of a cropping program.

In a modern farm business, the bets must be based on solid research, not emotion.

From humble beginnings

The Wimmera Machinery Field Days is the longest-running field days in Victoria – and Gason was among its first and longest-serving exhibitors.

Ararat-based Gason took tractor cabins to the original field days site at Longerenong.

Across the ensuing years, tens of thousands of cabins were produced carrying the Gason name to farms across Australia.

From humble beginnings 77 years ago, Gason is now renowned for its wide range of high-quality, heavy duty broadacre agriculture machinery – manufacturing air seeders, planter bars, spreaders, mowers and slashers.

The manufacturer sells its range of products through a nation-wide dealer network that also provides after-sales service with support of the Gason team.

As the family owned and operated business has evolved, so too has its field days offerings.

“Our participation at the Wimmera Machinery

Field Days has naturally grown over the years as the business moved towards manufacturing tillage equipment,” Gason’s agriculture division manager Craig Lennie said.

“As a local event that attracts all the big players from far and wide, we strive to maintain a strong presence at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days to support our Victorian customers, dealers and the agriculture community.

“This year we have a broad range of products on display, with our friendly sales and engineering team on hand to answer any questions regarding Gason machinery and parts.”

People are invited to visit ‘Team Gason’ at site N10-N14 where they will find product brochures and resources, experience Gason’s renowned ‘Built to Last’ quality and, perhaps secure Gason merchandise.

Gason Exhibitor profile

FAMILIAR FACES: Greg Gason, Tom McCluskey and Brett Jackson will welcome people to the Gason site at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

Sharing the real stories of farmers

Exhibitor profile

West Wimmera Health Service

With three captivating seasons of candid stories from farmers across the Wimmera and southern Mallee, a popular homegrown podcast series ‘Farmer Wants a Healthy Life’ is proving it is here to stay.

‘Farmer’, as the podcast series is fondly known, has quickly cemented itself in the hearts and minds of the Wimmera farming community, connecting people and making a moving impact on listeners from across the region.

Aimed at farming families and rural communities, the podcast was inspired by the desire to work with people living in rural settings to start a conversation about a variety of health and wellbeing issues.

Well-known Wimmera identity and mountain climber turned storyteller Brigitte Muir, OAM, is the podcast’s host.

West Wimmera Health Service is the podcast’s developer.

West Wimmera Health Service health promotion manager Dorothy McLaren said the podcast was intended to be ‘just like having a chat’ among mates about some of the ‘more vulnerable and challenging’ parts of health and life on the farm, and how they have managed to overcome adversities in ways that might surprise you.

The latest season hears from a variety of guests – all with a compel-

ling story to tell. One example is Warracknabeal district farmer David Drage talking about the impacts of climate on farmers and how he changed his farming practices and business to move with the times.

A popular episode from the first season was an interview with Gurjit Sondhu, who shares the heartbreaking reality of losing someone to suicide, and what part hindsight played in coming to terms with it as she navigated life as a farmer’s wife after moving to rural Australia for the first time.

In another episode, Justin

Knorrpp

shares how he is helping farmers to be more active in Warracknabeal, what made him want to start an ‘Active Farmers’ group, the people who attend and the benefits they gain from it.

“We hope that by sharing the real stories of farmers in the area that we can, in some small way, make it easier for others to make the choices for a healthy life,” Ms McLaren said.

The podcast was developed with collaboration and support of representatives from Grain Producers Australia, Grains Research and Development, National Centre for Farmer Health,

Nhill and District Young Farmers, Rural Outreach Program, Southern Mallee Landcare Network, Victorian Farmers Federation, West Wimmera Health Service’s allied health department and Wimmera Hearing Society.

People can listen to Farmer Wants a Healthy Life on the West Wimmera Health Service website at www.wwhs. net.au/Farmer-wants-a-healthy-life or via Apple, Spotify or wherever people listen to a podcast.

People can also visit representatives of West Wimmera Health Service at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

STORIES TOLD: Warracknabeal district farmer David Drage, above left, Gurjit Sondhu and podcast host Brigitte Muir, and Warracknabeal Active Farmers’ head Justin Knorrpp, below right.

The next big thing

Iamwriting this column from a dingy little office that is actually a hotel room in Adelaide where I’ve joined 1500 others at the Agrifutures evokeAg conference.

It’s all about future innovations in agriculture with a particular emphasis on technology, carbon trading, start-ups and innovators.

So, as you can imagine, there are a lot of people in very smart suits and trendy glasses, with the odd spattering of a farmer or two.

My brain is just about fried trying to get my head around interview topics.

Take, for example, keynote speaker Victor Friedberg of the United States – the founder of FoodShot Global, an entrepreneur that invests in food production.

He explained how he invested in what was the only grass-fed dairy in the country.

There were no standards for what grass fed meant and the first dairy in 2010 started by producing yogurt.

It was a time when dairy farmers were going bankrupt, hand over fist.

Victor persuaded the farmer to expand into grass-fed milk. The reason? Because yogurt containers didn’t have enough surface area to promote the product.

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Milk cartons did. Sales took off and one grass-fed dairy led to a dozen, which are still the standout profitable dairies in the US.

Next cab off the rank was Adam Anders, the co-founder of Anterra Capital in the Netherlands.

Adam actually grew up in South Australia, but his career took him to Europe where he worked with Rabobank before going out on his own in venture capital.

Why the Netherlands? It is the most productive country per hectare in agriculture in the world, leading the way in five categories – vegetable seeds, indoor farming, marine houses, flowers and pigs. It is also the second-largest producer of food in the world with land size just one-eightieth of Australia. Where I have to admit I was rather lost was with South Korean keynote speaker, Scott Amyx, the managing partner of Astor Perkins.

Yes, I had to Google what the company does, and I quote: “We partner with global leaders on their mission to build and

protect the future cities on Earth and in space.”

He admitted it sounds a bit like an episode of Star Trek.

“There is an experiment called Astro Garden and the purpose of that is to build a larger scale production so you could in fact have enough vegetables for a crew of four on the space station,” he said.

So why is that so important to life on Earth?

“Hugely actually,” he said.

“The fact that we’re using radio wavelengths to different types of mobile devices, a lot of that is originating from government as well as NASA types of programs.”

Yeah, nah, I didn’t quite follow either.

The two phrases that were buzzing around the conference seemed to be ‘data collection’ and farmers’ ‘natural capital’.

The ‘next big thing’ will be algorithms that can process huge volumes of data collected by satellite, by drones, by the likes of CSIRO to come up with a farm natural capital value.

Economist with Farming for the Future of the Macdoch Foundation, Dr Daniel Gregg, says that will ultimately increase farm productivity by 20 percent. Well, beam me up Scotty. Stay tuned for just how that will be achieved.

Third-generation family business

There will be ‘action’ at site S1-3 at next week’s Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

Action ‘The Big Shed People’ are a third-generation family business specialising in designing, manufacturing and installing heavy-duty farm sheds across Australia.

With more than 20 years of experience in the manufacturing industry and construction industry, Action shed designs are cost-effective, functional and the perfect fit for the Australian agriculture industry.

As well as following best-practice design standards, every Action shed is built from Australian-made steel – fully hot-dip galvanised after manufacture to ensure maximum durability and longevity.

A heavy-duty UB column and open web truss frame design will be on display, along with custom gutters and cladding options, at the field days for people to view the quality of construction firsthand.

The company’s extensive farm shed range includes hay, grain and machinery sheds, workshops and chemical and fertiliser storage sheds, with the added benefit of complete project management from council permit applications, right through to installation and completion.

Action’s expertise and product offering also

extends to in-house concrete panel manufacturing, making the company the ideal choice for farmers building bulk grain storage sheds, fertiliser sheds and multipurpose sheds, or those wanting to retrofit existing farm sheds with panels. Examples of Action’s concrete panel products and options will also be on display.

In other words, Action ‘The Big Shed People’ offer the complete package for your farm shed build.

What’s more, Action’s customer insight program ensures their clients are kept well informed at every stage of their project, providing peace of mind and a hassle-free experience for all involved.

If you’re planning a farm shed build in 2023 or require high-quality concrete panels, be sure to catch up with the building consultants at site S1-3.

In the meantime, people can visit www. actionsteel.com.au to learn more about the Action farm shed range and view the latest project photos and resources, or call 1800 687 888 to discuss their project.

Action ‘The Big Shed People’

World-first weed control for lentils

Exhibitor profile

PBSeeds

Wimmera crop breeders Grains

Innovation Australia, GIA, have achieved further variety success now a permit has been granted for post emergent metribuzin herbicide use on GIA Metro lentils.

Metribuzin is now permitted for use on GIA Metro lentils at the 3-6 node plant growth stage, under the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, APVMA, permit 92810.

GIA Metro is a world-first lentil variety with multiple herbicide tolerances combining both metribuzin and imidazolinone herbicides.

This unique combination of herbicide tolerance gives lentil growers a completely new weed management tool.

In particular, prior to GIA Metro, all lentils grown on light textured soils or sown into dry soils were prone to damage from the widely-used practice of applying Group 5 herbicides, such as metribuzin, pre-emergent to lentil crops.

GIA has an eye to the future when breeding varieties.

GIA breeder Dr Michael Materne said the group wanted growers to be able to have a range of weed control options for a solid herbicide rotation and not rely on the same group of chemicals and the associated potential risk of resistance.

“In the long term, these innovations help industry sustainability and expan-

sion and improve grower profitability,” he said.

“GIA Metro grain yields are lower – generally 20 to 30 percent lower than PBA Hurricane XT across GIA breeding trials in South Australia and Victoria 2020-22 – than existing lentil varieties in the absence of weed pressure, or where weeds are controlled effectively without crop damage from Group 5 herbicides.

“In agronomic herbicide research trials, targeting light textured soils and-or weed backgrounds, yield of GIA Metro has been equal or superior to other lentil varieties and weed control vastly superior.”

GIA Metro is a medium-large-sized red lentil by 100 grain weight with a large seed diameter and a grey seed coat.

GIA developed the variety using a metribuzin trait from a project funded

by Grains Research and Development Corporation, GRDC, and South Australian Research and Development Institute.

GRDC also funded trials required to submit the permit to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.

PBSeeds are the commercial partner to release seed of GIA Metro.

Commercial manager for PBSeeds, Janine Sounness, said: “We have recently sold a small parcel of GIA Metro to Sri Lanka, the target market for this variety, so their consumers can trial it well before the first harvest of this variety occurs. Interested growers have already placed orders, however we still have reasonable quantities of seed available for sowing in 2023.

“Growers can contact their local reseller to order the variety or PBSeeds on 5383 2213 for further information.”

for all POLY REPAIRS & WELDING

RESULTS: This picture shows the tolerance of GIA Metro, compared with damage to a conventional variety of lentils, on a light-textured soil.

TRIAL: Dr Larn McMurray, Grains Innovation Australia lentil breeder, shows PBSeeds seed manager Trevor McRae the lentil herbicide tolerance trial.

IT’S TIME: Damon and John Aisbett, of Horsham Bearings, are among the exhibitors at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Not to be missed

Exhibitor profile

Horsham Bearings

Horsham Bearings and Industrial Supplies has attended the Wimmera Machinery Field Days for decades.

Managing director John Aisbett said the business had been a mainstay of the event for more than 30 years.

A new-release air compressor, designed to blow-out headers in order to minimise fire risk, was among highlights of the Horsham Bearings site.

Horsham Bearings, among other

Police build field days partnership

Members of the region’s proactivepolicing unit will speak with Wimmera Machinery Field Days attendees about the co-operative role people can play in crime-prevention.

Wimmera Proactive Policing Unit Acting Sergeant Lee-anne Birthisel said the team would engage with farming communities about issues including farm safety, firearm storage and crime reporting.

“We will aim to increase awareness about reporting crime and suspicious activities on farms,” she said.

“The police will be providing information handouts on farm safety and crime prevention – especially around livestock thefts, theft of motor vehicles, shed burglaries, firearm thefts and new firearm storage requirements.”

The unit will also have two safety and compliance officers from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator on site to answer questions about the operation of heavy vehicles on farms, and on regional roads, as well as Game Management Authority information about the upcoming duck hunting season.

“We will have a heap of material on everything including information from the Transport Accident Commission, Crime Stoppers, Neighbourhood Watch, Police Assistance Line and Online Reporting, and the Farm Crime Unit,” she said.

“People will be welcome to check out a highway patrol vehicle on site, and we will have some really great giveaways.

“Plus, we will have a couple small farm-crime tractors that children are welcome to take a ride in.”

Acting Sergeant Birthisel said the unit would

also have information about how people could join Victoria Police.

“Please drop by and see us,” she said.

Safety plea

Wimmera police want to ensure visitors to the field days – and the region – remain safe.

Officers will monitor an increased volume of traffic travelling across the region, along with crowd behaviour at the field days and venues in localities nearby, as the population swells.

Horsham police Acting Inspector Matt Haughton encouraged people to plan ahead.

“Please be careful and patient while making your way to and from the field days. There can be some traffic congestion and we want everyone to arrive safely and enjoy their time at the event,” he said.

The field days is traditionally a social event for residents and visitors, attracting thousands of people through its gates and exhibitors from nearby towns and interstate to the region.

The event this year also falls just ahead of the Labor Day long weekend – which includes the annual The Weekly Advertiser Horsham Fishing Competition, which is another boon for the region.

“If anti-social behaviour is reported or seen, it will be dealt with accordingly,” Acting Inspector Haughton said.

“We encourage people to enjoy themselves and at the same time respect those around them, drink responsibly and don’t drink and drive.

“The roads will be busier over the long weekend and we want everyone to arrive at their destinations safely.”

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exhibitors, has overcome the dry Wimmera heat and wind some years, to the cold and rain other years.

Mr Aisbett said the field days had grown substantially over the years.

“The big thing is the size of it. It’s amazing – a big show, and very important for the area,” he said.

“We have missed going to the field days because of the friendships you have with the reps and the customers that you see out there at Longerenong.

“Hopefully this year will drag people in, who haven’t been able to go.

“A lot of people have been asking whether we’re going again.”

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Victoria Police

Exhibitor profile

See you at the Field Days

Members of the Wimmera Prostate Cancer Support Group are gearing up to attend the iconic Wimmera Machinery Field Days next month to help drive local awareness about prostate cancer.

Group Leader and prostate cancer survivor, Brian Nagorcka, said the event held on March 7-9 would be an opportunity to connect with local men and start important conversations about health.

“ e Wimmera Prostate Cancer Support Group launched in Horsham in 2016 and continues to provide support and connection for men impacted by this disease and their partners,” Mr Nagorcka said.

“As a group we’re very motivated to raise awareness and encourage men to learn about their prostate cancer risk to help improve rates of early detection.

“Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia. Here in the North West region, over 150 men are diagnosed each year.

“If you’re at the Field Days, please drop by our stand. Whether you have had prostate cancer and would like to join, or you want more information about prostate cancer, we are here to help.”

e Wimmera Prostate Cancer Support Group meet on the fourth Wednesday of each month from noon to 2pm at the Horsham RSL.

“A lot of our members have joined as a result of word of mouth and get great bene t out of connecting with others who have had a similar experience,” Mr Nagorcka said.

“We invite wives and partners to join us because it is a journey together and we as men need that support.

“We’re also fortunate to have a local PCFA Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse, Mandy Johns, located in the region who is involved with the group and available to support men and their families.”

Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia

CEO Anne Savage commended the group.

“We urge local men and their partners to visit the group’s display for advice about early detection and support,” Ms Savage said.

“Fewer than one in four men in the local region detect prostate cancer at its earliest stage – which is why awareness is so important.

“ e e orts of the Wimmera Prostate Cancer Support Group are truly rst class – they play a special role in bringing the community together to talk about prostate cancer and take action, saving lives.”

For more information about the Wimmera Prostate Cancer Support Group, phone Brian Nagorcka on 0448 710 628

Locals can also reach out to Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia for information and support via www.pcfa.org.au

Machinery delays continue

BY MICHAEL SCALZO

Agricultural machinery suppliers across the Wimmera are still dealing with delayed access to stock after global supply chains slowed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With thousands of people expected at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days next week, the event’s post-COVID-restriction return, some machinery dealerships will have limited equipment on display.

Several dealers will be staying away from the field days because of nationwide delays to machines and parts, which has made field-day displays difficult.

Jodie Eagle, manager of farming equipment retailer Wimmera Mallee Ag, said she felt ‘at times’ Australia was ‘at the end of the food chain’ when it came to manufactured equipment.

“I thought supply chains were improving, but that depends on what, and from where, the imports are coming from. Sometimes things are near impossible to get at the moment,” she said.

Mrs Eagle said supply was ‘easy’ to navigate when she dealt directly with several Chinese businesses, while motors and mowers supplied from northern America had also improved since pandemic restrictions eased.

“Often US wholesalers will allocate us supply based on our previous sales records – so that equipment remains easier to obtain,” she said.

Mrs Eagle said while the business did not deal directly with Danish manufacturers, supply from Denmark remained ‘slow’.

She said slow supply of equipment was an ‘industry-wide’ problem.

“Everyone in the industry is aware of the delays and farmers are understanding of the situation,” she said.

“Farmers are forward planning their work knowing that delays are inevitable. They are ordering what they need early.”

Bellevue equipment dealership manager Justin Ward said while his team would attend the Wimmera Machinery Field Days, the ‘new world’ meant having full displays of shiny new machines at the event was tough.

He said stock would always ‘roll’ through and he believed most customers were becoming more accepting of global freight and labour obstacles that were limiting supply.

“Probably 90 percent of our cus-

Healthy farms

Regionally focused cleaning experts have re-emphasised the importance of farm health and biosecurity – reinforcing farm-cleaning protocols form the foundation of ‘asset protection’.

Western Victorian Wholesalers representatives will be on hand at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days next week, with a broad team of industry experts for farmers eager to explore the often misunderstood elements of farm health and biosecurity.

Company manager Darren Scott said State Emergency Service personnel would join the Western Victorian Wholesalers team at Longerenong to answer questions from farmers on the nuances of biological farm protection.

“Farm health is not just about things looking good. It is about protecting your assets,” he said.

He said the company’s field days exhibit would focus on farm sanitation equipment and products.

tomers understand the situation and the fact they need to purchase any new equipment well and truly before they need it,” he said.

“It is no different to buying a car – expecting to make a purchase and then walking out with the machine is not going to happen.

“It doesn’t change the way the machinery industry operates, but it does change how customers budget and plan their season.”

“We will have rangers and the guys from Karcher Australia alongside speaking about little things, from pressure washing dirt and build-up from machinery to steam-cleaning capabilities, disinfection water treatment and livestock protection,” he said.

“With industry experts there at the field days, it is a great chance for farmers to ask questions about managing what comes into your property – perhaps that could be something that is stuck to the tyre of a truck.

“Speaking to the guys at the field days is a great way to get up to speed with a very important aspect of farm health.”

EXPERIENCE: Peter Hobbs, left, and Lachie Schultz, and the rest of the Wimmera Mallee Ag team will not be at 2023 Wimmera Machinery Field Days. Mr Hobbs said he had attended more than 30 field days events while working for the equipment supplier.

Western Victorian Wholesalers Exhibitor profile

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Expanding moisture probe network

Dryland farmers, agronomists, plant breeders and emergency services are among those to benefit from an extra 72 soil moisture probes and weather stations across the Wimmera.

Wimmera Catchment Management

Authority is co-ordinating the region-wide installation of probes and stations across 30,000 square kilometres through funding from the Federal Government’s Future Drought Fund.

The network will collect a broad range of data, presented in real time, that will help farmers manage risks and increase profitability.

The stations collect readings for soil moisture, air temperature, soil temperate, dew point, DELTA T, humidity, wind direction, rainfall and detailed frost information.

The information is easily accessed from a smartphone or computer via Wimmera CMA’s website.

The new stations will complement other Wimmera networks such as those managed by Perennial Pasture Systems and Wonwondah Landcare Group.

Glenlofty prime land producers

Tony and Sally Roberts installed a soil moisture probe on their property as part of the Perennial Pastures Systems network in 2018 to support decision making for increased pasture growth.

They use the data to track how much soil moisture is available and to be-

IMPRESSED: Perennial Pasture Systems members are already using data from a soil moisture probes and weather stations project with Crowlands, Warrak and Winjallok Landcare groups.

come familiar with historical trends.

“It provides me with facts and figures to support my gut feeling about what we do on the farm. The probes have data on two of the biggest common determinants of pasture growth, being moisture and soil temperature,” Tony said.

He said being part of a larger network of probes and weather stations was also useful.

“With the extensive network we have, even if the data is not right on your place, you can still glean good local information that helps with your decisions,” he said.

Wonwondah Landcare Group secretary and farmer Chris Guest, who has

been part of a project to install seven probes and stations, said the data was delivering ‘huge’ benefits.

“The Wonwondah network is delivering not only for the farmers whose paddocks are housing the probes, but right across the district and beyond,” he said.

“This project has created a well-informed network of farmers while also benefitting others such as agronomists and emergency services.”

Wimmera CMA regional agricultural Landcare facilitator Bronwyn Bant said the project was a joint effort between farmers and communities to improve drought resilience.

“The Wimmera’s agricultural indus-

try has been constrained by the lack of locally accessible technology that can collect, manage and practically apply data and information on soil moisture,” she said.

“More knowledge of the spatial and temporal patterns of moisture conditions at both a paddock and catchment scale is needed for farm and agribusiness decision-making and risk management.

“When climate forecasting predicts drier and hotter conditions, for exam-

ple, soil moisture data is incredibly valuable for making informed decisions about when and what to sow, as well as when to apply fertiliser during the growing season.”

Ms Bant said the data portal could be accessed on Wimmera CMA’s website at www.wcma.vic.gov.au/agdataportal She said people could also visit the CMA in the Moore Exhibition Centre at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days to find out more.

LARGEST

J1

REAL TIME: Data from the 72 new Wimmera soil moisture probes and weather stations is easily accessed in real time.

Wimmera CMA

Exhibitor profile

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W A N T S A H E A L T H Y L I F E

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Shearing sheds searching for hands

BY ABBY WALTER

Ashortage of staff is hitting Wimmera shearing sheds hard, despite many shearing contractors having caught up on time lost due to wet spring weather.

Lachie Campbell, of L. and A. Campbell Shearing Services, said there were shortages across the board in the shearing industry.

“There’s a big shortage of roustabouts and wool classers and everyone I speak to says they can’t get enough people to work in their shed,” he said.

“If the national flock is increasing, too, I can’t see a way they will all get shorn.”

Mr Campbell said he regularly heard from shearing contractors in Horsham and West Wimmera wanting available shearers, which he doesn’t have.

“I’m not sure why we don’t have enough people in sheds,” he said.

“I’m lucky to have enough shearers, but realistically I could add three or four more shearers on full-time.

“I do think we underestimated how many sheep New Zealanders shore for us. In the past few years many have gone home, where the industry has had a big price rise, and they won’t come back to Australia.

“It’s hard to get people into shearing, despite the fact it pays good money and contractors are happy to train people who don’t come with the skills for the job.

“It’s not easy work – we do big days and it is physically demanding – but there are heaps of government subsi-

dies to get people started and it’s not hard to get work when so many people need the job done.”

Mr Campbell said it was challenging for contractors to get wool classers and almost impossible for private runs to employ them.

“I don’t personally need to class, but I am getting my stencil so that if I ever do get stuck, I can do it,” he said.

“I think it would be interesting to know how many people have their stencil and don’t use it. I know a lot of farmers have their stencil so they can use it in their own shed.”

Shearing Contractors’ Association of Australia, SCAA, Shearer Woolhandler Training executive officer Glenn

Haynes said he could see a light at the end of the tunnel for farmers and contractors.

“I am seeing the most interest in 25 years from learners coming through the shearing schools we run,” he said.

“In 2019 we had about 27 students go into the industry full-time in Victoria and in 2022 that had jumped to 79 shearers.

“I think the interest also comes from word of mouth and learners telling others who are interested how easy it is to get a job, because farmers and contractors have no choice but to put learners on and support them.”

Mr Haynes said he was seeing more people come through from a trade

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background into shearing, and more women go to shearing school.

“I think the Australian Wool Innovation is having a massive impact on retention of people in shearing,” he said.

“The first three weeks are the hardest and through Australian Wool Innovation we are able to send trainers out to sheds to spend a day per week with learners who have finished shearing school to keep their skills up and help them even more.”

South West TAFE is also aiming to attract more people to wool classing and help them gain a qualification.

South West TAFE wool classing teacher Stuart MacPherson said there was plenty of well-paid job opportuni-

ties for experienced people to work in the field.

“There is a lot of demand from contractors and farmers who are constantly looking for good wool classers,” he said.

“The demand is quite strong. It’s very hard to find wool classers, especially those of the right calibre who are performing at the required level.

“There are staff shortages across all facets of the industry, but it’s becoming more pronounced with handlers and classers.”

South West TAFE will deliver a wool classing course starting in early March at Maroona, near Ararat. The course will take between nine and 18 months. There are also plans for courses in Mortlake and Hamilton later this year.

Mr MacPherson said the course would provide practical skills as well as theory.

“Practical skills are important, but classers also need a good theory component as well,” he said.

“Wool classing is important because when the wool is sold as being classed by a registered wool classer, it gives the buyer an assurance of quality.”

More information about the South West TAFE wool classing course is available online via www.swtafe.edu.

au The timetable for Shearer and Woolhander courses by SCAA in Victoria is available via scaa.org.au/shearerwool-handler-2023-training-coursesfor-sa-vic

SHORTAGE: L. and A. Campbell Shearing Services shearers are working non-stop as a lack of shed workers causes delays and constraints in the industry.

Honour for young leader

Horsham-based Agriculture

Victoria researcher Joshua Fanning is the 2023 recipient of the Grains Research and Development Corporation, GRDC, Emerging Leader award.

The award recognises the commitment of an early-career professional working in the grains industry who has already contributed to the future of the industry and is emerging as an industry leader in their field of endeavour.

Dr Fanning has worked for Agriculture Victoria for 10 years and in that time has researched pulse diseases, communicating his knowledge to farmers and industry professionals regarding integrated disease management practices.

Integrated disease management combines cultural methods such as rotation, genetic tolerance and strategic fungicide applications.

Dr Fanning said he wanted to thank his mentors and colleagues, and the growers and agronomists he works with.

“Without them, I wouldn’t be here today because that’s where I get my knowledge – they push me every day,” he said.

GRDC southern panel chair Andrew Russell presented Dr Fanning with the award at the GRDC Grains Research Update in Bendigo.

“The success of the Australian grains industry is dependent on passionate young people like Dr

RECOGNITION: Horsham-based Agriculture Victoria researcher Joshua Fanning, left, has been recognised for his work in integrated pulse disease management and was presented the 2023 GRDC Emerging Leader award by GRDC Southern Panel chair Andrew Russell.

Fanning, leading innovation and adoption of new knowledge, technologies and practices,” Mr Russell said.

“Dr Fanning’s highly valuable mix of research expertise and the ability to communicate technical and scientific information in simple language is helping growers and agronomists rapidly respond to both the challenges and opportunities growing pulses present.

“With the growing importance of pulses in a wider geographic range, Dr Fanning’s research is more important than ever.”

Dr Fanning completed his bache-

lor degree and PhD at the University of Adelaide.

His disease research started with a soil-borne disease program, focusing on root lesions and cereal cyst nematodes.

He also investigated yield losses and varietal resistance to different diseases in both cereal and pulse crops and developed an interest in pulse foliar diseases.

By 2018, Dr Fanning started a new role as a field-based pulse pathologist, while supporting the soil-borne disease program.

The role meant he worked in collaboration with pulse pathol-

Investment call

Agriculture representative body GrainGrowers is calling on the Federal Government to invest in the grains sector to enable job creation and support regional communities.

GrainGrowers has used its pre-budget submission to detail funding across areas ranging from farm inputs, infrastructure, trade and market access to biosecurity, taxation and sustainability.

GrainGrowers chair Rhys Turton said initiatives to improve the operating environment for grain growers would meet the government’s focus on building economic capacity and resilience.

Mr Turton said the value of the grains industry to the Australian economy delivered real value to future government investment.

“As an industry, we are a powerhouse of regional Australia with 22,500 farm businesses directly employing 34,000 workers each season and thousands more employed across the supply chain,” he said.

ogists, agronomists and breeders nationally.

In 2022, Dr Fanning became a research leader – plant pathology and oversees the plant pathology team.

Pulses such as chickpeas and lentils are high-value crops and integral to their success is integrated disease management.

GRDC has supported Dr Fanning to fine-tune disease management recommendations for new areas of pulse cropping, including low-rainfall zones, and communicate these to growers and their advisors.

“From an estimated 31 million hectares, we grow 65 million tonnes of grains, oilseeds and pulses each year, contributing more than $20billion gross value of production to the Australian economy. In short, grain growers significantly contribute to the well-being of our regions and the national economy.”

Mr Turton said the pre-budget submission identified a range of opportunities that could make a difference to growers and the wider industry, including upgrading road and freight networks; trade and market access funding; opportunities for domestic manufacture of fertiliser, chemicals, fuel and spare parts; fit-for-purpose visa arrangements; initiatives that lower on-farm emissions; an investigation of the Australian grains industry and supply chain; establishing a sustainable funding model for biosecurity; improved mobile and internet connectivity for grain farmers and the wider rural community; and adopting the productivity Commissions Right to Repair recommendations for agricultural machinery.

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Wimmera farmers take lead

BY ABBY WALTER

Wimmera farmers are leading the Victorian Farmers Federation Grains Council this year.

Cropping farmer Craig Henderson, who runs property between Warracknabeal and Birchip, was elected president unopposed.

Minyip mixed farmer Ryan Milgate was elected vice-president.

Mr Henderson said this year the council would work on key issues impacting the industry.

“We work on challenges and opportunities with roads, rates, market access, grain testing and road train access,” he said.

“This year we’re also looking at key inputs, security, telehandling, succession planning and right to repair.

“We have to make sure our supply chain is also operating the best it can.

“In the case that something goes wrong, we also have to be ready for any outbreak of disease, fungus or noxious weed because there’ll be challenges in that, too.”

Mr Milgate said the council would aim to work with growers and the government to do what was best for the agriculture sector.

“It’s a big challenge and our local issues include planning, road access, bulk handling, logistics and shipping but we want to work towards positive outcomes for the industry and its future,” he said.

“We can’t promise the world as we are volunteers, but we will do our best for the greater good.”

Mr Milgate said coming off some tough years he was cautiously optimistic for 2023.

“With COVID we thought 2020 was tough, and then we thought it couldn’t get any worse than 2021, but the weather in 2022 meant it was a tough year mentally and physically,” he said.

“It was an ordinary year for some and others experienced once-in-a-generation results, but overall, we’re all a bit tired.

“Many have good subsoil moisture now, but we have a long way to go before we know how 2023 will look.”

Victorian Farmers Federation, VFF, acting returning officer Brendan Tatham said he was looking forward to working with the pair and the wider team to help deliver for grain farmers throughout Victoria in the coming years.

“The VFF acknowledges outgoing VFF grains council president and

Search on for entrepreneurs

Anagribusiness start-up-supporting venture is on the lookout for the next crop of industry entrepreneurs keen to push the agriculturaltechnology sectors into the second half of the 21st century.

Sprout X is an Australian ag-tech collaborator that offers grant money and courses to boost the individuals who will supercharge Australia’s entrepreneurial spirit.

The venture, at Longerenong College this summer with its previous batch of agribusiness-focused start-up founders to learn from the college’s DATA Farm, has sought applications for its free, ‘Business of Agriculture’ autumn cohort.

Sprout X has described its 10week free Business of Agriculture, also known as its ‘Pre-Accelerator’ course, as an opportunity for potential agribusiness entrepreneurs to get their ‘foot into the Australian startup scene’.

Rutherglen farmer Ashley Fraser for his dedication and passion in the role that he has held since 2019,” he said.

“Mr Fraser’s work on behalf of Victorian growers has been incredible and the VFF would like to thank him for his tireless efforts.”

Ashleigh Brooks of West Wimmera, Anthony Mulcahy of the southern district, Russell Hocking of Bendigo and Jason Mellings of Charlton have been returned uncontested to the council.

Acceptance into the program ‘unlocks’ equity-free funding of up to $10,000 for people eager to see their innovations take a step into the business world.

The venture also offers an annual six-month ‘Accelerator’ course for existing start-up founders in the agriculture, food and energy space.

People considering applying for the ‘Pre-Accelerator’ course can visit www.sproutx.com.au/pre-accelerator to apply.

2023 ‘Accelerator’ program applications have closed.

LEADERSHIP: Wimmera farmers Craig Henderson, right, and Ryan Milgate are incoming president and vicepresident of the Victorian Farmers Federation Grains Council.

Local farm machinery manufacturer busier than ever

Australian landscapes have seen some challenging and unprecedented conditions in recent years, and farmers are increasingly jumping on Australian made implements to satisfy their farming needs.

Local Victorian manufacturer Gason, which has been around for more than 75 years, is experiencing uptake of machinery orders like never before – a trend that is becoming the norm for locally designed products.

Gason’s Agriculture Division Manager Craig Lennie has been

with the company for six years and says he has seen sales continue to rise in what has been an historically fluctuating industry.

“The last few years have been record-breaking in terms of the level of enquiry and number of orders we have received,” he explained.

“This has given us the opportunity to assess which of our products are most relevant to the market, and focus on these as we deliver world class, innovative machinery.

We are already receiving orders now being placed on our air seeder, planter bar, spreader and mower build slots for delivery into 2024.

“It means many customers who are looking for a new machine may have to wait until after the next sowing season for their machine to arrive – which is disappointing for farmers and dealers who have become accustomed to machines being ready for sale, but it’s a reality we are facing across the whole industry.”

With this trend looking to continue into the foreseeable future, Gason are urging farmers and dealers to take a proactive approach with their new machinery orders, as well as stocking up on parts and booking regular machine servicing with their dealers.

“This year is already looking to be a cracking one, and prior preparation is going to be key to maximising your productivity now and into the future,” says Craig.

“If you’re thinking about buying new equipment after your hard-

earned harvest this year, get your order in as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.”

“We will be at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days at site N10-N14, so come down and have a chat to our friendly Sales team.”

Gason machinery is designed and manufactured locally in Ararat to suit Australia’s unique conditions and can be ordered through dealers nationwide. Find your nearest dealer and discover more at gason.com.au.

An educational approach

Hundreds of students will embark on an educational quest at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

Partners in Ag will join forces with the event to bring school students from across the Wimmera and Mallee a new resources kit to assist in their excursion to one of country Australia’s largest agricultural and agribusiness trade shows.

Heavy mineral sands resource development company, WIM Resource, is also supporting the Ag Ed Quest initiative – which was first formed for the 2020 installment of the event.

More than 350 students are registered to attend throughout the threedays.

Partners in Ag delivers quality, professional learning to the agricultural sector across Victoria and Tasmania.

Its business development officer Katherine Colbert said the Ag Ed Quest would provide a fun, educational and engaging pack of information for schools to ensure students and teachers made the most of their visit.

It will include classroom activities, planned itineraries and an on-site fact-finding mission, depending on the age of the student.

“With increasing pressure on teachers to ensure excursions are meaningful and education-based, Partners in Ag has developed the Ag Ed Quest to reduce the workload by generating the day’s program, aligning with curriculum outcomes,” Ms Colbert said.

“The Wimmera Machinery Field

Days is a great opportunity for local schools to build awareness of the agricultural environment, industry and careers that exist in our communities.

“The development of the Ag Ed Quest for students would see a targeted and engaging approach to interactions between the students and exhibitors, with students learning about everything agriculture and giving exhibitors the opportunity to showcase their products and services to the next generation.

“This provides an opportunity for students to gain a greater understanding of the broad employment oppor-

tunities within the region as well as a safe and central meeting place to conclude the excursion.”

WIM Resource stakeholder and community engagement manager Murray Wilson said the company recognised a valuable opportunity to support a more focused, educational approach to student groups visiting the field days.

“Being able to be part of the Ag Ed Quest program at the field days will assist WIM to engage with school students and discuss potential opportunities and career pathways in mining,” he said.

Biosecurity measures for bird owners

Bird owners are being urged to help prevent emergency animal diseases by using biosecurity measures at home, sales, bird shows and race events

Victoria’s chief veterinary officer Dr Graeme Cooke said poultry farmers, and bird and backyard chook owners, needed to be vigilant for diseases in their birds, such as avian influenza.

“Signs of avian influenza include breathing difficulties such as coughing, sneezing, or rasping, while ruffled feathers, dopiness, diarrhoea and closed eyes can also be evident,” he said.

“Other signs include swelling and purple discolouration of the head, comb, wattles and neck, and a rapid drop in eating, drinking and egg production.”

Dr Cooke said infected birds shed avian influenza in saliva, nasal secretions and faeces.

“Wild birds including waterfowl are a natural host for the virus. They need to be kept away from domestic birds, their food and water,” he said.

Hogg boosts farmer health

LEARNING: Murray Wilson of WIM

Resource and Katherine Colbert of Partners in Ag check over the Ag Ed Quest program for students and teachers visiting the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

“WIM is currently developing the large-scale Avonbank mineral sand mine at Dooen and, once established, will be able to offer more than 200 full-time jobs working in the mining industry.

“It is important for WIM to be able to start conversations and provide opportunities to local students about a potential career working with WIM – and the Ag Ed Quest provides a perfect opportunity for this to happen.”

Entry to the field days is free for all students; a pre-purchased ticket, via Partners in Ag, will ensure priority entry.

Wimmera farmers with an eagerness to support the mental health of their industry colleagues have been encouraged to get behind an Australian grain-growers initiative.

Australian cricketing legend

Brad Hogg, in partnership with grain-growing industry body Grain Producers Australia, has been touring the country to speak to farming communities to boost mental health awareness.

The initiative is part of Grain Producers Australia’s national campaign, Farmer Mates Mental Health.

Mr Hogg, as the program’s official ambassador, attended last year’s Mallee Machinery Field Days.

Grain Producers Australia leaders have reminded regional communities that they and Mr Hogg remain available to support community events that share the Farmer Mates Mental Health message.

Grain Producers Australia-led mental-health forums are also supported by farmer-focussed mental-health and counsellors from Rural Aid, Lifeline and Nufarm.

People and organisations eager to support this initiative are encouraged to contact the organisation directly to discuss how a community organisation or farming group can host an event.

An online expression of interest form is available via www.grain producers.com.au/farmer-matesmental-health

“Domestic poultry, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, guinea fowl, quail, pheasants, emus and ostriches are most susceptible.”

Dr Cooke said an on-farm biosecurity plan was the best management tool poultry farmers could use to reduce the risk of introducing diseases.

Poultry farmers and bird owners with backyard flocks are urged to report cases of an unexplained, sudden increase in bird deaths or a sudden drop in egg production to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888, to a local vet or Agriculture Victoria.

Dr Cooke reminded all livestock owners, including those with poultry, of the need to have a Property Identification Code, PIC, which allows Agriculture Victoria to trace and control disease outbreaks.

“Getting a PIC is free and easily done online via the Agriculture Victoria website,” he said. More information is available via agriculture. vic.gov.au/biosecurity/animal-diseases/poultrydiseases/avian-influenza-bird-flu

The best of both worlds

Georgia Baker-Miller has the best of both worlds.

During the week, she is a boarder at The Hamilton and Alexandra College; and at the weekends she maintains connections to her home-town of Horsham.

Georgia joined the college in year 10 as a boarder. Now in year12, she has taken on several prefect positions as the Learmonth House, cricket and football captain.

Georgia is the epitome of a team player. She puts her hand up to participate in any sport and also sings in the Female Voice Choir.

Her warm leadership style and inclusive nature ensures that there is always a full team.

A keen cricketer, she captains the college women’s team and mentors younger players, and plays for Homers Cricket Club at the weekends.

The college encourages students to remain part of their local community.

“I truly feel that I have the best of both worlds – attending The Hamilton and Alexandra College for my education and maintaining close connections and playing the sport I love at home,” Georgia said.

Georgia is excited to lead her school house and enjoy her final

Rust challenge

Avoiding and managing stripe rust in wheat is going to be an ongoing challenge for farmers heading into the 2023 season.

Agriculture Victoria encourages growers to be proactive to reduce early-season rust.

Researcher Hari Dadu said large yield losses during 2022 were reported by wheat growers in areas where stripe rust was not well controlled.

LIFE EXPERIENCE:

Horsham’s Georgia Baker-Miller is a boarder at The Hamilton and Alexandra College.

The college is among exhibitors at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days from March 7 to 9.

year of boarding, but understands that it is also time to ‘knuckle down’ on her studies to achieve her university preferences.

“The boarding house is fantastic, and I try not to take it for granted. I love living with friends and making connections with students of all ages, it is good to learn independence and time management and we have access to teachers through the Academic Assistance program each night,” she said.

“At the moment, the tertiary

Need a hand with safety on your farm?

The Victorian Farmers Federation has worked tirelessly in the past few years to assist farmers improve their farm safety knowledge and practices through it’s Making our Farms Safer project.

Farm Safety Advisors with the project, John Darcy and Richard Versteegen, put their combined experience of 68 years in workplace health and safety to deliver the project and have been pleasantly surprised with the uptake from the farming community.

“The project is funded by the Department of Agriculture from July 2020 through to July 2023, designed to assist all Victorian farmers, not just VFF members,” Senior Farm Safety Advisor John Darcy said.

“Since we started, we have visited over 200 farms as part of our one-on-one farm safety visits.

pathways I am considering are quite different – I am looking at both optometry and veterinary science.

“I am working closely with our careers adviser to ensure that I am on the right path and keep both options open.”

The college is a co-educational, regional community where everyone is known, valued and challenged. With day and boarding facilities, small class sizes, specialist teachers and an inclusive co-cur-

ricular program, students receive individual support to achieve their personal goals.

The college is among exhibitors at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days from March 7 to 9. People can also learn more about the college at an open morning on Thursday, March 23 from 9.30am.

People wanting more information can go to www.hamilton college.vic.edu.au or phone 5572 1355.

“Rust outbreaks tend to be more severe in seasons following wet summers, when volunteer cereals, known as the green bridge, carry stripe rust from one year to the next new wheat crop,” he said.

“A green bridge of volunteer cereals will provide a significant opportunity for rust to survive this summer to infect this year’s crops.

“High soil water levels have made this a widespread problem across eastern Australia.”

Dr Dadu said rust only survives on living plants and not on seed, stubble or soil, which is why disease management is important.

“Growers need to avoid susceptible cultivars and use up-front fungicides, such as flutriafol on fertiliser, to significantly reduce the stripe rust risk in paddocks,” he said.

“Last year showed the benefits of using fungicides at sowing to slow stripe rust development, providing more time for extra foliar fungicide applications during the season.”

Dr Dadu recommended growers remove the green bridge of volunteer cereals either with herbicide or by grazing by mid-March, use a current cereal disease guide to check rust resistance ratings, develop a fungicide management plan, with an emphasis on up-front options such as flutriafol on fertiliser, and download the rust modelling tool StripeRustWM via www.agric. wa.gov.au/apps/striperustwm

The current cereal disease guide can be accessed via go.vic.gov.au/3IYyj7J

Further information on stripe rust can be found via agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity

“We start a typical farm visit at dining table, talking through legal obligations and providing a number of resources free of charge. Then we do the walk around the sheds.

“The typical farm visit is around three and a half to four hours.

“We also attend field days and run engagements with farmers at events of our own. We’ve clocked up over 110 speaking engagements,” Mr Darcy explained.

“It’s all about how we influence the culture and engage with industry that is really important. The response has been amazing,” Mr Darcy said

The project also shares farm safety news and updates through its dedicated website, podcast, a monthly newsletter, social media channels and videos on YouTube.

In 2022 the project clocked

up several major milestones, producing a series of SOP videos displaying safe means of carrying out some of the most high risk jobs on the farm.

It released two podcast series, the Making Our Farm Families Safer podcast and Farming through the wet Summer of 22-23.

The project also published its fourth handbook, the Child Safety on Farms guide and launched the Making Our Farm Families

campaign which feature terrific videos and stories from real farming families highlighting how they prioritise the safety of their children aged 10- 15 when performing work related tasks on the farm.

Other resources produced by the project include a Telehandler Safety Handbook, The Hazardous Chemical Handling and Storage guide and an OHS Consultancy Handbook which Farm Safety Advisors give to farmers during a

farm safety visit to assist manage safety on their farms.

You can catch up with Farm Safety Advisor John Darcy in the Alan Heard Pavilion at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

If you would like to learn more about the VFF Making Our Farms Safer project or to contact a Farm Safety Advisor for free farm safety advice, visit www. makingourfarmssafer.org.au/ get-in-touch/

Richard Versteegen, left, and John Darcy, right, are Farm Safety Advisors at VFF Making Our Farms Safer project.

The Hamilton and Alexandra College

Exhibitor profile

‘Proud’ addition to showground

Natimuk show is raising the ‘baa’ when it comes to infrastructure and safety.

Natimuk Agricultural and Pastoral Society has relocated a new raised shearing board in preparation for its annual shearing competition – scheduled during the show in March.

Johno Lovel built the board and Travis Maybery and project officer Michael Sudholz, the chief shearing steward, transported it to the showground last month.

Cash help from national non-profit, Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, FRRR, and Agriculture Victoria funded the project.

Mr Sudholz said the new board would address occupational health and safety regulations for many shearing competitions into the future.

“It is a proud addition to our fine showground, which is used yearround,” he said.

Show secretary Judith Bysouth said the event would also honour three wellknown identities of the region.

“John Kuhne was a descendant of the first German settlers in the Natimuk and Polkemmet district. Medium wool, sheep and grain were his speciality passion in the farming industry,” Mrs Bysouth said.

“In honour of his dedication to farming, his family has chosen to remember him with a special $50 prize awarded in the merino lamb wool section of the Natimuk show fleece competition of 2023.

“The Kuhne family also donate a

REMEMBERED:

$50 encouragement prize to a novice shearer each year in memory of Eric, and a $50 prize for something made of recycled material in memory of their mother, Joan.

Joan was an avid supporter of the Natimuk show and, in particular, in the handcraft section and assisting in the pavilion kitchen on show day.”

The Natimuk show and farmers market plus is at Natimuk Showground on Saturday, March 25.

The program includes yard dogs and horse events, shearing and wool-handling competitions, car and beaut

utes competition and lifestyle pavilion competitions. A circus workshop, mask-making, a Lego competition, rock-climbing wall and virtual reality grain arcade are also among attractions. Natimuk Brass Band, Horsham Rural City Band and folk singer-songwriter Maurice Conway will perform and children’s entertainment is also available.

Online ticketing is available via www. ticketebo.com.au/natimukshow and available at the gate.

People can go to www.vicagshows. com.au/natimuk-show for the full schedule and more information.

Eric and John Kuhne and Ian McKenzie with wool leaving Wyn Wyn Park shearing shed in 1982. The transport lost its load and had to be re-loaded enroute to Horsham.

SHEAR BENEFITS: Ken Hateley and James McCredden inspect a new shearing stand at Natimuk Showground.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Prices ease amid global pressures

BY ABBY WALTER

AsWimmera cropping farmers take a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of harvest, they begin to look towards inputs for 2023 cropping.

Rabobank grains and oilseeds agricultural analyst Dennis Voznesenski said prices of inputs had eased substantially across the world since the highs of last year.

“We have no historical data for prices in Australia, but in the Middle East urea reached $800 per tonne and has now eased to $500 per tonne,” he said.

“However, the long-term average is $350 to $400 per tonne, so prices now are still higher than the longterm average.

“It will be interesting to watch. If nothing geopolitical changes, grain prices stabilise, but farm input costs decrease and those margins increase.”

Mr Voznesenski said grain stocks wre historically low across the world.

“This makes the market very vulnerable and if one country cannot supply grain for their export market, it could cause a price uprise,” he said.

“However, it would take an inva-

sion of another country, like we have seen with Russia and Ukraine, to see prices like we did last year.

“Ukraine is doing well at the moment, but if Russia continues to move into Ukraine and they can’t continue farming, that could also cause a price rise.”

Mr Voznesenski said while grain stocks were low, canola stocks were higher than in 2022.

“Two years ago, Canada had a horrific drought, but last year their production was back to average levels,” he said.

“We produced above seven million tonnes in Australia again and with what Europe harvested, there is a lot more than last year.

“So it will be all about timing for markets and I am looking at two key windows.

“The first is April and May, as harvest in the northern hemisphere does not begin until June or July, so we might see an increased demand in that time.

“The second is the end of this year as Canada is increasing its canola crushing capacity in 2024 to use canola oil in biodiesel, which could mean they will begin to export less towards the end of the year and into the beginning of next as they need more domestically.

“In line with the Paris Agreement to reduce emissions, Canada is reducing transport emissions, so they will produce more oil for biodiesel to meet those targets.”

Victorian Farmers Federation Grains Council president Craig Henderson said the cost of inputs were still high for Wimmera farmers.

“While it’s not the same as last year, costs are higher compared with long-term averages,” he said.

“The cost of freight is also high, but availability is all right at the moment.”

Mr Henderson said the greatest challenge was machinery and parts availability.

“It’s an 18-month to two-year wait on new machines,” he said.

“Spare parts are the biggest concern because there’s quite a delay if you break something, and that tends to hold farmers up more.

“There’s always high demand during harvest time and sowing time for machine parts, but we also use tractors and sprayers pretty much year-round, so if something is needed it could be at any time.

“Hopefully manufacturers can carry sufficient stock during sowing or have access to stock, at least.”

ENTERTAINMENT: Visitors to the 2023 Wimmera Machinery Field Days can keep an eye out for ‘George the Farmer’. The story of ‘George the Farmer’ began 11 years ago with a storybook and has evolved to music, videos and performances. The character will be out and about at the field days to engage with children and connect them to agriculture. ‘George the Farmer’ is one of many elements of the field days to cater for families, with a jumping castle, petting zoo and mini train to keep children entertained.

Support for sector

New State Government grants will boost the AgTech sector with $1.3million available for entrepreneurs and investors to foster the next generation of innovation.

The grants are a partnership between Agriculture Victoria and the state’s start-up agency LaunchVic, with a $1-million AgTech Grants Program.

Grants of $50,000 will offer 20 emerging AgTech start-ups the opportunity to move to the next stage of growth.

An additional $300,000 AgTech Angel Network Grant will support the establishment of Victoria’s first dedicated specified agriculture Angel Network to invest in Victorian AgTech start-ups.

The funding will help ensure early-stage AgTech founders get immediate access to capital, while also building AgTech start-up investment capabilities in the private sector.

The grants are part of the government’s $15-million AgTech Regional Innovation Network, AgRIN.

Agriculture Minister Gayle Tierney said with one of the world’s most exciting agricultural systems, Victoria was well placed to lead Australia as a powerhouse for AgTech innovation and entrepreneurship.

“AgTech startups are boosting ef-

ficiency and safety on farms while also helping the state better respond to a changing climate,” she said.

LaunchVic chief executive Kate Cornick said the organisation was putting equity-free working capital in the hands of Victorian Ag innovators hungry for their next phase of growth.

To further support start-up business owners and entrepreneurs, $2.2-million has been provided to Victorian AgTech Entrepreneurs’ Initiative, Farmers2Founders, Rocket Seeder and SproutX.

The three programs will each receive $600,000 to run programs to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the skills to turn an idea into a business reality.

Culture of collaboration

Agriculture Victoria acting executive director of agriculture policy, Julie Simons, said the culture of collaboration and investment in new and innovative ideas made Victoria successful.

“I was thrilled to see Farmers2Founders, Rocket Seeder and SproutX had been selected to guide up-and-coming AgTech entrepreneurs and I look forward to seeing them prepare the next generation of innovators,” she said.

Farmers2Founders is a specialist agrifood tech service provider and will run their Hatch Ideas Pre-Accelerator and a self-paced Online Journey Starter Program to reach

founders in any pocket of regional Victoria. Rocket Seeder will assemble teams of entrepreneurs and researchers to solve some of regional Victoria’s biggest challenges with their new AgTech Seeds Pre-Accelerator Program, bridging the gap between the agricultural industry and research.

SproutX will join forces with the University of Melbourne to take aspiring founders through ‘The Business of Agriculture’ – a new program designed to support non-traditional participants in Victoria’s start-up ecosystem, such as farmers, STEM professionals and tech-curious entrepreneurs.

Cattle and sheep farmers Paul and James Diamond were supported by AgRIN to complete the Rocket Seeder and the Farmers2Founders pre-accelerator programs.

Through the programs, the brothers developed a satellite mapping and farm safety app called AirAgri to help farmers maintain their properties and better monitor farm activities.

The programs supported the brothers to refine their idea and develop their business skills.

More information is available via agriculture.vic.gov.au/AgRIN or to apply for new grants visit launchvic. org

WINNER: Edenhope shearer Doltan Austin won intermediate show shearing at Otago New Zealand Shearing Championships.

On a winning streak

Edenhope shearer Doltan Austin is making a mark in shearing competitions in New Zealand.

Mr Austin won the intermediate show shearing at Otago New Zealand Shearing Championships last month.

“I was very surprised, shocked and overwhelmed with joy about the outcome,” he said.

He followed up the win with a second-place finish in the senior division

of 2023 Traffers Speed Shear at Gore, Southland.

Mr Austin shears at properties around Edenhope for 10 months of the year, full-time.

“I love the challenge of shearing and every day you’re learning,” he said. “I also love the people you get to meet when you travel – I’ve already made some good friends.”

Wimmera Machinery Field Days special edition

2023 Exhibitor list

ACCC Regional Mobile Infrastructure

Inquiry

AgCloud

Ambulance Victoria

Amplifon Hearing Care

ANZ

Aqua Plus Filtration

Ballarat Clarendon College

Ballarat Grammar

Before You Dig Australia (BYDA)

Bettergrip Tools

Brendan’s Australian Tours

BugROff Pest Busters

Centre for Participation

Emmetts

Energy Safe Victoria

Forty Winks

Grampians Health – Horsham Education and Training

Grampians Public Health Unit (Farmer

Resilience Program)

Holy Trinity Lutheran College

Horsham & District Lapidary Club

Aroma Joy

Australian Tea House

Cheeky Rascal

CWA

Josephene by Jo Lucchesi

Local Botanicals Hemp Oils and Creams

Love Your Travels & Good Riddance

Insect Repellant

Network Mobility Horsham

Out & About Clothing

Rawleighs Healthcare

Salami Shack

Samaritan’s Purse Australia

Smoke and Roast

Ten Bag Press

Cloud Agriculture Victoria

Agro Foods

AGT Foods

Arag Australia

Australian Grain Export

AWB

Bingham Agriculture

Blue Lake Milling

CHS Broadbent

CropScanAg

drumMUSTER

Farmscan Pty Ltd

GeoCommodities

GrainCorp Operations Limited

GWM Water

Kondinin Group Drought Info

Liquid Systems (SA)

Mandala Trading

McCoy / AG Point

Outback Guidance

PB Seeds

Pioneer Seeds

Precise Farm Solutions

Precision Control Australia (Ag Leader)

Ridley Agriproducts

Unigrain Pty Ltd

VFF Making Our Farms Safer

Victorian Farmers Federation

Western Ag

Westpac Agribusiness

WFI Insurance

Wimpak

Stock Sense

Horsham Healthy Hearts

Horsham Rural City Council

JG King Homes

JK Milling Pty Ltd

Liberal Party Victoria

Longerenong College

Marcus Oldham College

MCH Massagers

Monivae College

National Centre for Farmer Health

National Insurance Brokers

Neighbourhood Houses

North Stawell Minerals Ltd

Powercor Promotional Products & Uniforms

RFCS Victoria - West

Rural Northwest Health

Saines Lucas Solicitors

Southern Skin Cancer Clinic

St John Mobile CPR Learning Lab

Telstra

The Hamilton & Alexandra College

The Nationals Victoria - Emma Kealy

The Wimmera Mail Times

TurmeriX Victoria

Ultramatic

Uniting Wimmera Foster Care

VV Electrical and Solar

WIM Resource

Wimmera Aquatrail

Wimmera CMA

Wimmera Development Association,

Jobs Victoria Advocates

Wimmera Emergency Management

Team

Wimmera Hearing Society Inc

Wimmera Prostate Cancer Support

Group/Cancer Council of Victoria

Bridgewater Berets

Callipari Wine & Ned Kelly Red

Cohuna Sports Store

Crystal Clear Glasses

Garlic Essentials

Keegan Nurseries

Kustom Kegs Wine Barrel Furniture

Letzgetwired

Next Level Land

Niagara Medical Therapy

OMG Decadent Donuts Horsham

Original Spirit Co

Prickly Moses

Relens Showbags

Riely’s Little Lolly Shop

Safety Jumper Lead & Cable Co

Victoria Police

Beetanicals

Casey’s Pantry

Farmgirl Produce

FIVE DUCKS FARMS

Grampians Olive Co

Jacks Nuts

Miners Ridge Wines

Mount Langi Ghiran

Mount Stapylton Wines

Patchwork Jungle

Seppelt Wines Great Western

Springhill Special Treats

The Wimmera Grain Store