AgLife – April 24, 2019 edition by The Weekly Advertiser

April 24, 2019

Think sustainable Anita and Andy Evans are embracing alternative farming processes on their Pomonal farm. Their passion for ‘doing the right thing’ by the environment is helping to increase awareness of food seasonality and what it means to be sustainable. Read more about Five Ducks Farm on page 27. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

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BY LOTTE REITER

he unique creations of a small Pomonal farm extend far beyond its seasonal plum and liquorice jam.

Five Ducks Farm owners Anita and Andy Evans are creating discussion about what it means to be sustainable in a commercialised industry. With an ever-changing array of seasonal items and a passion for ‘doing the right thing by the environment’, the couple is generating intrigue and awareness about alternative farming products and processes. Mrs Evans said their tiny farm was a relatively new adventure but had quickly turned its focus to the ‘bigger picture’. “We are quite new to this,” she said. “We bought the property about three years ago because we have always wanted to be involved with fresh produce, and we have just jumped into it. “We are trying to do our little bit. Markets give us the opportunity to talk to people and ask, ‘have you tried boysenberries?’ or, ‘have you tried silvanberries?’ “Or we might tell people about youngberries, which they haven’t heard of because they are not commercially grown. “Because, for me, I want people to understand food isn’t something that should just be cheap. “People might think that all food can be cheaply sourced and produced, which drives the commercial value on animals, and it really disgusts me. “We have happy chickens here. They finish laying eggs and then they are free to roam and live out the rest of their lives, they don’t get trucked off to be made into chicken pie.

SUSTAINABLE LIVING: Anita Evans with some new additions for her ‘Five Ducks Farm’ after a visit to Wimmera Poultry Club’s annual auction this month. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER “And we are lucky that we have the opportunity and land to do that. “We just want to show people that there are alternatives. It is not all about efficiency and the bottom dollar, it is more about doing the right thing.” Mrs Evans said because Five Ducks Farm was a small business, she was able to be creative and produce unique and small batches of products based on availability.

She said becoming aware of food’s seasonality was crucial to living a more sustainable and environmentally conscious life. “People come to us for those regular products, but also part of the freedom of being a small business is that I can make those small batches, especially because I do all my own labelling,” she said. “I like to incorporate as much local

produce as possible, and we swap with other businesses and people. “For example, if someone has extra tomatoes, we will swap them for jam, and I will have different types of tomato chutneys based on whose tomatoes I have used. “For us it is about being transparent too. “I will put whose food and ingredients have been used on the labels and

that helps to show it is a local product. You have to be very, very conscious of where your food is coming from. “Think about what you put in your mouth, where you live and how you move about. “But I think the most sustainable thing you can do is grow your own food because then you really become aware that food is seasonal, and you value it more.”

Opposition calls for stronger trespassing penalties The Victorian Coalition has accused the State Government of stalling in response to calls to modify farm-trespass laws amid animal-activist protests. Nationals leader Peter Walsh said this was despite ‘Victorian farmers and farm businesses still being relentlessly targeted by extreme activists’. Mr Walsh said federal and

Queensland governments had announced strong penalties in the past week to prevent activists from targeting farms, but the Victorian Government had failed to move. He said stronger laws to protect people against law-breaking activists who trespassed on and stole animals from farm should be a government priority. “Victorian farmers, farm businesses

and people in our regional communities are absolutely furious at the constant break-ins, theft and harassment we’re seeing from law-breaking extremists,” he said. “The Liberal Nationals have proposed a Parliamentary Inquiry to examine this whole issue and fix farm trespass laws. “A parliamentary inquiry will give

our farmers and industry stakeholders the chance to get through to government just how disruptive these lawbreakers are and help us identify the best way to bolster laws so that farmers can get on with business. “It has been five weeks since I wrote to the Agriculture Minister and so far she has not responded to my letter, but has instead told media she would like

to speak to us further about possible terms. “I would welcome that conversation and am ready and waiting for the call.” Member for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath lodged the motion to establish the farm-trespass inquiry in the Legislative Council.

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farmer leader has expressed disappointment in the terms of reference set to guide a review into Victoria’s municipal rating system. Victorian Farmers Federation president David Jochinke, of Murra Warra, said he feared the review process would do little to immediately provide respite for farmers. He also added that he believed terms of reference based purely on rating figures were too narrow to solve broader local government issues. “One of the big disappointments is that the government didn’t engage us in developing the terms of reference when we were the main group who drove this move,” he said. “Addressing issues surrounding how best to share the rates burden represents a catalyst to generating discussion surrounding local government. “In reality the broader picture tells us that discussion needs to be around the function of local government, the financing of local-government operations and finally the governance of local government – how it is structured and managed based on the expectations of service delivery and making sure the checks and balances are in place to ensure that occurs.” An independent review panel, led by former Royal Children’s Hospital and

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City of Melbourne chief executive Dr Kathy Alexander must provide recommendations to Victorian Local Government Minister Adem Somyurek by March 2020. Mr Somyurek outlined time frames and terms of reference for the review, designed to ensure local government councils were accountable to ratepayers, last week. Mr Somyurek said the review was about making sure Victorian councils used a rating system that was ‘fair, equitable and effective for all Victorians’. “The system we have now is complex and in need of review – we need a contemporary rating system that gives people a fair deal,” he said.

“I look forward to working with Dr Alexander on this important review and building on our Fair Go Rates System.” Assessment surrounding the sharing of a necessary-rates burden between municipal sectors has long been contentious, especially in regional areas. Rating systems, processes and outcomes have led to lengthy, passionate and at times intense and controversial debate in several councils, including Ararat and Horsham. The farming sector has been particularly outspoken on issues of equity surrounding rates.

‘sham’, arguing it would fail to address the main issue face by farmers – ‘the unfair rates cap’. “Labor’s so-called Fair Go rates cap caused farm rates in some shires to skyrocket by nearly 30 percent last year,” Mr Walsh said. “Farmers waited months for the government to get cracking with this review, and now we learn Premier Daniel Andrews is excluding his failed rates cap from the scope of the inquiry. “It’s also frustrating the review’s scope excludes looking at the adequacy of the valuation system and that it will ignore other sources of local government funding such as state and Commonwealth grants.

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Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh described the review as a

“Labor has set up a sham review that simply will not deliver the systematic overhaul Victorians deserve so rates are fair for everyone. “Mr Andrews has also ignored calls for an interim rates cap to be applied to all rating categories while the review is conducted. “Farmers who got hit with huge increases last year are rightly very nervous about the next rates assessments which will be hitting mail boxes soon.” The review panel will consider in its deliberations – • Local government rates and charges • Rating exemptions and concessions and their application to various classes of land, including farm land. • The autonomy of local governments to apply a rating system that takes into account ‘local’ factors • Exemptions and discounts for local government rates the impact any recommended changes would have on councils, ratepayers and residents. The State Government introduced a Fair Go Rates System in 2015 to stop a decade of average annual 6 percent increases. This system will remain in place. Victorians will be able express views to the panel and participate in the review process.

Water quality, quantity message Agriculture Victoria is advising producers to assess their farm-water budgets and plans. Agriculture Victoria Animal Industries Development officer Richard Smith said availability and quality of water were key factors for productivity, health and welfare of livestock. “Livestock water requirements vary and can be influenced by type or class of stock, activity level, climate and environmental conditions, feed, and water,” he said. During dry conditions, stock water requirements will increase if farmers are feeding fibrous and less digestible feed or by-products. Mr Smith also recommended producers monitor the proportion of dissolved salts in any water source because it was the main factor influencing water quality.

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“The maximum salt concentration for healthy production for dairy cattle is 2500 ppm, higher levels will cause decline in production and impact animal health,” he said. “During summer and early autumn, the rate of water evaporation can result in a significant increase in dam-salt concentration. “If you are also feeding salt-based licks or by-products, you will need to factor in their salt components. “High salt content will increase water intake, and can cause abdominal pain, loss of appetite, diarrhoea and increased urination. “Excessive salt concentration can cause death within six to 24 hours.” Mr Smith said producers also needed to be aware of the risk of high sediment loads and pollution, as manure, dust, and

vegetation were blown or deposited into the water body. He said this could reduce the appeal to stock due to unpleasant smell, therefore reducing uptake. Manure build-up, vegetation decay and dead animals in water sources could increase the risk of diseases occurring including E. coli and botulism. An Agriculture Victoria guide to water needs of different classes of livestock – Dairy cow – dry: Summer, 112 litres a day, winter 48, average 80. Dairy cow – milking: 201, 90, 150. Cattle weaners between 250 and 300 kilograms: 210, 90, 150. Ewes on dry feed: 14, 6, 10. KEEP IN MIND: Agriculture Victoria has urged farmers Prime lambs on dry pasture: 6, 2.4, 4 to plan for how much water different livestock, including sheep, will need. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER Mature sheep on dry pasture: 10, 4.2, 6.

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Country Today with Libby Price

CLOSING DOWN: ‘For lease’ signs are becoming all too common a sight in country towns according to Libby Price.

s you stroll down the main street of town, are there a few too many empty offices and shops with ‘for lease’ signs on the front window?

How many of the smaller regional towns have you watched creep slowly into oblivion? As you’ve no doubt heard before, Australia is one of the most urbanised countries in the world, with the vast majority of the population hugging our wonderful coastline. We love our sun and surf and the bright city lights. Well, not you and I necessarily, as we choose to live in the country. My choice was only fairly recent. I moved from Melbourne to northeast Victoria five years ago. Why, you may well ask? The number one reason: housing affordability. If I could get a job, I’d be able to make a late run into the housing market. The Regional Australia Institute has published a document on how to attract a workforce to your town.

Obviously, there have to be the jobs. With an ageing population, there are only going to be more jobs in health care and related services. The other big attraction is mining or manufacturing. Where I live, a multi-million dollar concrete factory is being built and

already there’s a housing shortage. Soon, there’ll be more demand for education, health services, and so it goes on. So what else can we do to ensure our towns not just survive, but thrive? There was no way I was going to move to a town that looked ‘unloved’.

It had to feel welcoming and have the infrastructure that made life liveable. Good public transport was essential to ensure my kids regularly paid a visit. Alas, being on the main rail line from Melbourne to Sydney, I’d as-

sumed it would be a well-oiled machine. Needless to say, it’s one of the most inefficient lines in Victoria. I’m sure if our rail services were expanded, upgraded and extended, we’d see many more tree-changers moving to town. It’s too difficult to cut the city umbilical cord if it’s going to take a day or two of travel for a visit. Melbourne’s population is very close to five million people and is the fastest growing of the capital cities at more than two percent a year. So since I left, it’s grown by 10 per cent. Something’s gotta give. We need to plan ahead to ensure our towns can attract the population we need for a vibrant community. I’ll finish with a direct quote from Regional Australia Institute chief executive Dr Kim Houghton. “People with skills in the in-demand occupations will have plenty of options of where to work,” he said. “It will be up to regional towns and cities to improve their liveability, so they can present as a great lifestyle option. • Renowned rural broadcaster and journalist Libby Price presents 3WM’s Country Today program from noon each weekday.

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A Pegasus miticide-insecticide label has varied to include control of a potentially destructive mite, Halotydeus destructor, in canola. Research by sustainable-agriculture research organisation Ceser through Grains Research and Development Corporation investment supported the registration. Pegasus, a Group 12A insecticide, is a Syngenta product with the active ingredient of diafenthiuron. GRDC pests manager Dr Leigh Nelson said the label variation was welcome news for the nation’s canola growers. “RLEM is a major threat to a variety of Australian crops and pastures, and canola seedlings are among the most susceptible to attack,” she said. “Feeding on canola seedlings by mites can cause distortion and shrivelling of leaves, and when infestation is at a significant level, affected seedlings might die.” Dr Nelson said increasing RLEM resistance to commonly used chemistries was of concern to the grains industry, so the registration of another insecticide option helped in extending the longevity of available chemical controls. “It’s another tool in the toolbox for our growers,” she said. “But as is the case with the use of any available chemistries, for best results Pegasus should be used as part of an integrated pest management program that includes cultural practices, seed

treatments and rotation of insecticides with different modes of action.” Based on the product label, farmers can apply Pegasus to canola from a cotyledon stage when action thresholds are reached. Growers are advised thorough coverage is essential and they should not apply more than two applications in any one crop. Four other chemical groups are registered to control RLEM in grain crops. These are: organophosphates – Group 1B; synthetic pyrethroids – Group 3A; phenylpyrazoles – Group 2B; and neonicotinoids – Group 4A. The latter two are registered only for use as seed treatments. Ceser director Dr Paul Umina said resistance to pyrethroids and organophosphates in RLEM was widespread in Western Australia. “These resistances have also been detected in some South Australian mite populations and are expected to be confirmed in other regions in the future,” he said. “Having more chemical options for management is crucial to the longevity of chemical options for RLEM.” Syngenta’s Head of Portfolio ANZ, Peter Holmes, said working with the GRDC and Ceser to extend the label for Pegasus was part of Syngenta’s innovation model to deliver solutions for more sustainable agriculture. “It takes 11 years of research and development and millions of dollars to bring a new crop protection product to market, which is why it is so important that existing products are used safely and sustainably,” he said.

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Wimmera Primary Care Partnership is providing mental-health first-aid refresher courses across the region this year. The refresher courses are four four-hour face-to-face sessions that allow people who have previously completed a 14hour Mental Health First Aid course to refresh their knowledge and skills. For people who are Accred-

HAY HO, LET’S GO: BCG will run a Wimmera trial in 2019 as part of a National Hay Agronomy project funded by Agrifutures.

Oaten hay trial in the Wimmera A

BY JEMMA PEARL, BCG

grifutures data has revealed that in 2015, Australia exported 936,329 tons of fodder worth an estimated $383-million.

Given the importance of the export fodder market as a viable diversification option for farmers, Agrifutures, formerly Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, has invested $22-million in developing agronomic packages to strengthen the product’s position in the export market. Birchip Cropping Group extension officer Alison Frischke said BCG was involved in the development known as the National Hay Agronomy project. She added that given the extensive area the project would cover the project involved many partners. “The project covers Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. It began in July 2018 and will run over four years,” she said. “Project partners include Department of Primary Industries and Regional Developments, DPIRD, Western Australia, South Australian Research and Development Institute, SARDI, Agriculture Victoria, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, NSW DPI, and grower groups.” BCG will have an oaten hay trial at its Kalkee

site in 2019 where it will investigate oat varieties and nitrogen management. “There are nine varieties being investigated including Mulgara, Wintaroo, Yallara, Brusher, Carrolup, Durack, Forester, Williams and 05096-32. Nitrogen rate and timing will also be examined,” Ms Frischke said. Collectively, the national project aims to improve agronomic guidelines to maximise oaten hay production and quality, clarification of the potential for plant growth regulators in oaten hay production and updating disease management guidelines for oaten hay. • Agrifutures is an Australian agriculturefocused organisation focused on the nation’s agricultural future with representatives living and working regional areas and representing the interests and aspirations of farmers and rural communities. Backed by the Federal Government, its vision is to grow the long-term prosperity of Australia rural industries through projects that attract skilled professionals and leaders into the sector, addressing future sector issues via research and analysis and providing research and development support for small but established and emerging industries. People seeking more information about the National Hay Agronomy project can call the BCG office on 5492 2787.

ited MHFAiders, the refresher courses offer an opportunity to extend their accreditation for a further three years. The courses are free of charge, open to anyone to attend and are from 12.30pm to 4.30pm. People keen to know more or to register can contact Lissy Johns at Wimmera PCP by calling 5362 1226 or emailing lissy.johns@wimmerapcp.org.au.

The courses – Kaniva: May 14, West Wimmera Shire Council, Goroke. Harrow: May 20, Harrow Bush Nursing Centre. Goroke: June 5, West Wimmera Health Service. Horsham: June 17, Wimmera Primary Care Partnership. Edenhope: July 18, Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital.

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WIDE RANGE: Craig Altmann has gleaned plenty of information at recent seeder demonstrations.

Getting seed into the ground O

BY CRAIG ALTMANN

ver the past few weeks I’ve been to seeder demonstrations hosted by organisations Birchip Cropping Group and Best Wool Best Lamb.

It’s not often you get to see such a range of machines working in the same paddock. The machines being demonstrated included Duncan, Tatu Marchesan, Agrowdrill, Kubota, Flexi-coil, Horsch, Horwood Bagshaw, Morris and Spot On Ag. It was a credit to the owners who volunteered their land, time and machines for the days, because most of the seeders were privately owned. With price tags around $500,000 for some of the set-ups it was easy understand the significance of being able to

see these machines working ‘in the flesh’. What a contrast in conditions! Down south at the Best Wool Best Lamb pasture-seeding demonstration, we went out into the paddock and quickly reached for extra layers and had to run for cover a couple times as showers went through. But at Birchip, the jumpers came off as the day went on and dodging the dust was priority as the dry soil burst open under the pressure of the points. Combines, airseeders and planters, with discs, tynes and coulters were demonstrated in different configurations at both sites – dry and direct. It involved full seed-bed disturbance right through to results that you had to look closely to see whether machines had been through. The Spot On Ag planter was a real

eye opener with technology, such as Delta Force and Smart Firmer. It sows in seeds per hectare rather than kilogram per hectare. The down force controller – Delta Force – replaces springs with hydraulic cylinders. The Smart Firmer being demonstrated is a first for Australia, in it’s first year of commercialisation. The Smart Firmer provides constant row-by-row feedback on clean furrow, soil temperature, soil moisture, organic matter, and Cation Exchange Capacity. Both demonstrations will compare the performance of a range of commercially available seeders in terms of how they optimise things such as plant establishment to maximise yield and profit. When it comes time to get seed in the ground, there’s a bit of humour with

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sayings like ‘it won’t grow in the bag’ and ‘put the seed in the right way up’. This is a serious time of year though and there’s a lot going on in terms of decision and strategy making, organising people and inputs – all while doing long hours. At the same time the rest of the farm doesn’t just stop for sowing. With so many variables and so much going on it easy to understand the importance of having a something that makes crop and pasture establishment more reliable, easier, profitable and so on. This might through good-quality seed and the right variety, though to the machinery for getting the seed in the ground. • Craig Altmann is seed sales and marketing agronomist with Australian Grain and Forage Seeds.

Victoria’s chief veterinary officer has urged people using mild autumn weather to go on camping trips, often to distant wilderness areas, to carefully dispose of food scraps. Dr Charles Milne said consumption of food scraps by domestic or wild pigs had the potential to introduce exotic animal diseases to Australia. Dr Milne said Australia had a warning earlier this year when pork products seized at the national border tested positive for African swine fever and footand-mouth disease viruses. “It’s not enough to rely on biosecurity inspections to stop potential pests and disease threats at the border,” he said. “Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility and we all need to help protect our agriculture, our economy and our unique natural environment.” Dr Milne said the act of feeding – intentionally or not – infected meat scraps to pigs was one of the most likely ways an exotic disease could be come into to Australia. “It is illegal to feed pigs waste food, meat, or animal product infected food, in Australia,” he said. “This is a consideration not just for pig farmers or pet pig owners, but everyone when they’re in an environment where wild or domestic pigs can access their food scraps.” Dr Milne said people could find out more about notifiable animal diseases on website agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture /pests-diseases-and-weeds/ animal-diseases. People can make a disease report to all-hours Emergency Animal Disease Hotline 1800 675 888.

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ulse growers have a valuable resource for the 2019 cropping season after an online Grains Research and Development Corporation webinar series.

The corporation ran the five webinars as part of a Southern Region Pulse Extension project. Each webinar covering a different pulse-crop type, featured a line-up of industry experts who provided an overview of relevant agronomic information, pulse research findings and market information. The ‘Growing Pulses’ webinar recordings – for beans, vetch, field peas, lentils and chickpeas – are available for viewing via GRDC YouTube channel http://bit.ly/2KiesUs. Southern Region Pulse Extension Project manager Pru Cook said participants received the webinars well and recording requests were in high demand post-event. “Each of these webinars allowed growers and other industry personnel to interact with industry experts without the burden and expense of travel and time away from their businesses,” she said. “It meant they could cost-effectively build their skills and prepare better for the upcoming growing season.” “More than 70 people tuned in to the live webinars and the positive feedback from those who participated proves there is great support for this type of forum. “Comments resoundingly stated that the content was very helpful, and that the technology had additional benefits. “For example, a participant noted that the images of diseases came through so clearly, much better than in a printed resource.

KNOWHOW: Agriculture Victoria pulse-research agronomist Jason Brand was among experts who provided information and advice during a Growing Pulses webinar series. “There were also requests for more webinars on other pulse-related topics throughout the growing season and an indication that such forums would grow in effectiveness and reach as people became more familiar with the format.” The GRDC Southern Region Pulse Extension project, called ‘Building capacity, skills and knowledge for the pulse industry in the southern region: supporting expansion of high value pulses into new areas and ensuring sustained profitability of all key pulse crops’, began in 2017. Delivered by a consortium of organisations in-

volved in the pulse industry across the GRDC’s southern region, the project aims to increase grower and advisor knowledge on sustainable pulse production, leading to improved farming systems and grower profitability. Ms Cook has encouraged pulse-industry stakeholders to contact her with topics for future webinars. People can direct inquiries or feedback to Southern Region Pulse Extension Project by emailing pru.cook@bcg.org.au or calling 0438 923 258.

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Victorian Farmers Federation Grains Group has called on grain traders to switch to shorter payment terms as farmers try to recover from the collapse of a grain-trading business last month. Grains group president Ashley Fraser said grain traders needed to transition to two-day payment terms across all contracts ‘in the near future’. “Within two years, we want to see same-day payments standard practice across the industry,” he said. “To help drive this change, I encourage all growers to ask for two-day payment terms when discussing potential grain sales. “The current system allows for 30 to 60-day terms of payment, which places an unfair portion of the credit risk on growers. “New information-sharing platforms ensure accurate grain delivery data can be processed in real time, and there are already major buyers taking advantage of this technology and offering two-day payment terms. Mr Fraser said the collapse of a grain-trading business could have a devastating impact on growers. “To start rebuilding grower confidence, the industry needs shorter payment terms on all types of contracts,” he said. “There will be farmers who have a good relationship with smaller buyers who might wish to commercially negotiate longer terms. But these need to be well-informed decisions made on a case-by-case basis, not the industry standard.”

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