Sunnydale White Suffolk Stud’s ram sale on Monday brought good prices, marking the beginning of what stud co-owner Andrew Weidemann predicts will be a ‘solid ram season’. Adelle Weidemann, pictured, helps with the sale. Story, page 21. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
A non-selective foliar herbicide that will kill most emerged weeds and plants in situations as indicated in the directions for use table
For the control of Paspalum, Nutgrass, Mullumbimby Couch, Clovers and other weeds in domestic lawns
For control of Bindii, Clover, Oxalis and other weeds in Buffalo, Couch and Qld Blue Couch domestic lawns
For the control of a range of insect pests in various situations as specified in the directions for
for
ROGATOR 900 SERIES SPRAYER
Driving a is more than just driving a tractor…it comes with a feeling of ease, even during the toughest work. TRACTION AG HAS BIG TRACTORS FOR BIG EQUIPMENT!
The IDEAL time to rethink your harvest potential is right now with a Harvester!
to
Mosaic on farm land
BY LAUREN HENRY
Farmers across the Wimmera and Mallee are still waiting for spring rain, with some crops being hit by warm weather and frosts in the past month.
Agriculture Victoria seasonal risk agronomist Dale Grey said soil moisture had decreased significantly in the past six weeks, particularly in the state’s northwest.
“Many of those crops, the really good ones anyway, that are sitting on the full profile, have really been starting to hook into that moisture, and in the last 30 days, moisture use has been in the order of sort of 24 to 40 percentage points, so some of those profiles are now only half full, which is good – that’s better than being empty,” she said.
“But we’ve been noticing that slope of that water use has been more similar to October, rather than September.”
Mr Grey said a warm patch in late August-early September had contributed to increased water use.
But crops in the Wimmera and Mallee had also been hit with moderate frosts last week.
“We’ve gone from one thing to the other, just to add insult to injury,” he said.
“It’s hard to believe that won’t have done some damage to something, so those little lentils or little pods sitting close to the ground, it’s a pretty vulnerable stage for them and some of the
canola pods would also be at a damaging stage.
“And the cereals, it’s such a hodgepodge of crop growth stages out there, particularly in the Mallee and the Wimmera, due to the late sewing, but some people getting early planting in April and some people had rain in May.
“So there’s just an absolute mosaic on everyone’s farm of different growth stages, so the flowering growth stage of course, for cereals is the most sensitive to frost.
“It can take a week or more to get a feel for whether damage has been done to cereals, whereas if you go out and break open a field pea or a canola pod or a lentil pod, after the frost, you can usually tell if those little seeds are shrivelled up and brown and looking very unhappy.”
Mr Grey said at least half the models have been predicting a wetter future for some months but that had not eventuated.
“I would say we’re no closer to a La Niña really wanting to form,” he said.
“The form guide is the models have been predicting wetter and it’s been drier, so my confidence of a wetter future is not that good.
“I’d be wanting to see some changes to what we’re currently seeing – currently you’ve got a massive big high pressure sitting over us once again, and in the next kind of week we’re seeing showers on and south of the divide but
Spring Clean Time!
nothing really in the north, and that seems to be the case.
“So the good news is that down in that far south-west – the region that had been really quite late and dry – there’s been a turnaround there in terms of rainfall and they are getting more frequent rainfall.
“They still haven’t had much runoff, which is still a concern, but at least the moisture situation has improved.”
Mr Grey said in some cases there was only half the amount of grass in some paddocks in south-west Victoria at the moment, which was problematic.
“The other thing is that people have been cutting hay in the Mallee too, so the first batch of hay has just started to be cut and it’s finding a very quick home down in the southern part,” he said.
“I would imagine it’s barely being spat out the end of the baler before it’s getting on a truck and sent down south.”
Mr Grey said the other problematic area of Victoria to not getting sufficient rain was the eastern part of south-west Victoria.
“Places near Geelong, like Rokewood and those kind of areas, are really, really suffering, which is not common for this time of the year and for that kind of area,” he said.
Mr Grey’s latest seasonal conditions webinar, including spring forecasts, is available on Agriculture Victoria’s website and by using the password ‘climate’, along with all other climate webinar recordings.
Optimism for season
A ram sale at Rupanyup’s Sunnydale White Suffolk Stud achieved good prices on Monday, marking the beginning of what could be a healthy increase in livestock prices.
Hosted by Rodney and Andrew Weidemann, Andrew said the sale went ‘very well’, achieving about 85 per cent clearance.
“We were happy to get good clearance, as well as strong interest in what was remaining,” he said.
“We had about a $1300 average, with rams selling for up to $2500, and two top price rams at $2600.”
Mr Weidemann said the prices were about $200 up on last year’s average.
“I’m pretty confident we’ll have a solid ram season,” he said.
“Given the way it’s going and the uncertainty in the industry, a lot of people are realising that livestock is a good fit.
“Obviously, the way the climate is at the moment, the improved prices we’re seeing in the yards with the lambs flows on to more optimism in the industry.
“There is pressure on grain prices, but at least with livestock there’s a level of return everyone can see, which is likely to increase over time, especially now there are low stock numbers.
“There had been a downturn in prices, but those who stayed with it should be well-rewarded.”
There were 70 rams auctioned at the sale.
ON THE JOB: Hugh Weidemann mustering rams at Monday’s sale.
Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Growing group numbers
Organisers of the 15th annual Perennial Pasture Systems conference in Ararat have declared the event an ‘outstanding success’, after more than 200 people attended to hear from specialists in farming practices last week.
Perennial Pasture Systems group project manager Rob Shea said audience numbers were a ‘large increase’ on last year’s event.
“One of the highlights for us was about 25 Longerenong College students and a couple of Adelaide University students attending,” he said.
“It was great because we’ve been trying to build up good contacts with agriculture students for a long time.”
Mr Shea said conference presenters were from a variety of financial, livestock, soil management and pastoral backgrounds.
“They complemented each other, it was a good mix, and I think farmers and advisers will go away looking to review their programs,” he said.
“Jason Condon from Charles Sturt University in Wagga spoke on soil management – he put things into perspective and will lead a few tweaks in farming systems.”
Mr Shea said Amphitheatre’s Scott Howell, a lamb producer, spoke on farm strategies for future growth.
“He was outstanding. He has a fantastic system on a large family farm – his presentation was brilliant,” he said.
The conference ended with an industry tour, taking in Ararat Meat Exports, with a focus on value-adding mutton to benefit farm and exporter.
“The tour went well over time,” Mr Shea said.
“People were fascinated by the system at Ararat Meat Exports, how the product is used, including the surplus going into pet food.”
More than 100 people attended the dinner at the
“Ellie was absolutely fantastic – everyone was blown away by her, she was so inspirational,” Mr Shea said.
He said the group had great support from its sponsors to stage the event.
Perennial Pasture Systems group was formed mid-2007 and has had 197 farm businesses across central Victoria and the southern Wimmera join the group since its formation. Members are heavily involved in prime lamb, mutton and beef production, while cropping and export hay operations are also conducted on many group members’ farms.
More information about Perennial Pasture Systems can be found at www.perennial pasturesystems.com.au.
town hall, with guest speaker Paralympian gold medallist Ellie Cole.
Paralympian Ellie Cole and Debbie Shea
Celebration of sparkling shiraz
BY LAUREN HENRY
Grampians Estate will mark 20 years of continuous vintages of sparkling shiraz with a special lunch.
The small winery first produced the Rutherford Sparkling Shiraz in 2004 but has produced wine since 1995.
Tom, Sarah and Pollyanna Guthrie own and operate Grampians Estate, with a cellar door and vines at Great Western and a winery, vines and sheep farm at Mafeking.
As one of Grampians Estate’s flagship wines, the Rutherford Sparkling Shiraz has won many awards over the journey including 16 trophies at wine shows and several ‘top sparkling red in Australia’ rankings in the annual Halliday Wine Companion.
The wine was named after Ford (Rutherford) Guthrie who died some years ago, aged 17.
He had picked grapes and mustered sheep since he was a young lad and looked forward to a life on the land.
Mr Guthrie said the wine would forever be a tribute to Ford.
“Sarah and I are very excited to celebrate this milestone for our favourite wine,” he said.
“It is an Australian invention, it comes from the spiritual home in Great Western and it carries the name of our son, Ford.”
Mr Guthrie said sparkling shiraz, an Australian invention, was pioneered in Great Western by Hans Irvine at the Seppelt winery at about 1890.
“It is made the same way as French champagne using the ‘methode traditionelle’ process,” he said.
“Hans Irvine’s winemaker was the Frenchman Charles Pierlot. In a neat connection, he married Ellena Salinger who grew up on the Grampians Estate cellar door site when it was owned by the Salinger family.”
The lunch, at Grampians Estate’s cellar door, will be at noon on Saturday, October 12.
For devotees of sparkling shiraz, it is an opportunity to experience some aged examples of Australia’s best.
Mr Guthrie said the inaugural 2004 vintage, the 2006 and some Garden Gully 1998 would headline the sparkling shiraz vintages, to be matched with a gourmet lunch provided by one of the region’s top chefs, Dean Sibthorp.
Hailing from the United Kingdom, Sibthorp is head chef at Mt William Station and is a culinary virtuoso with a background in English-style gourmet cooking.
Sibthorp’s passion for cooking has led him to explore the different tastes and textures of locally sourced produce.
His philosophy is to use only the freshest, hand-picked ingredients, establishling strong relationships with local farmers and growers.
Mr Guthrie said the Rutherford Sparkling Shiraz was typically ruby red in colour, had a spicy nose displaying fresh raspberries, plums and a hint of chocolate, and generated a beautiful purple mousse.
“The palate is concentrated, spicy and full of red fruits. The wine is aged for about three years on lees giving it greater flavour and complexity,” he said.
One of the wines featured at the lunch will be the 2006 Friends
Shiraz, the one year when donated fruit was used following losses from the Grampians bushfire when the Mafeking vineyard was severely burnt.
James Halliday included that wine in his top 100 wines of the year and it collected three trophies.
In the 2010 James Halliday Wine Companion: 95 points and equal top in Australia: ‘An echo of the great Seppelt sparkling shirazs of the ’40s and ’50s; this wine has absolutely wonderful sweet shiraz fruit – not sugar sweetness – on the finish, and will develop and change for up to 20 years if well cellared. Crown seal. 14.6 per cent alcohol’.
Bookings to the lunch can be made by visiting www.grampiansestate.com.au or calling 5356 2400.
A new world of tough
Sparkling
TOGETHER: Tom, Sarah and Pollyanna Guthrie in the vines at Grampians Estate at Great Western.
CONTINUOUS: Grampians Estate will mark 20 years of continuous vintages of sparkling shiraz next month.
Voice heard, now time for action
BY DAVID JOCHINKE
As president of the National Farmers’ Federation, I am immensely proud of the turnout and impact of the historic National Farmer Rally in Canberra on September 10.
Thousands of farmers and supporters from across Australia came together to send a clear message to our nation’s leaders: farmers need a seat at the table when it comes to agricultural policy.
For too long, decisions have been made without adequate consultation with those who understand the land best – the farmers who work it every day.
We highlighted critical issues facing our industry, from the proposed ban on live sheep exports to water buybacks in the Murray Darling Basin, and called for practical solutions on matters such as the diesel fuel rebate and unnecessary red tape around emissions reporting.
The rally wasn’t about politics; it was about policy.
We want forward-thinking solutions that will allow Australian agriculture to thrive, not ideological battles driven by out-of-touch activists and detractors who would like to see less food and fibre grown in Australia.
Those groups often push agendas that would undermine our ability to feed and clothe the nation, without understanding the realities of farming or the vital role we play in the economy and regional communities.
We are ready to work with all sides of politics to develop policies that support sustainable farming practices, enhance productivity, and ensure a bright future for rural communities.
It’s time to push back against those who seek to diminish Australian agriculture and instead focus on solutions that will keep farmers farming.
To those who attended or supported us from afar, thank you. Your presence and solidarity sent a powerful message that cannot be ignored.
The rally marks the beginning
of our campaign to ensure farmers’ voices are heard and that we can continue to produce the food and fibre Australia relies on.
To all Australians, I say this: when farmers thrive, the nation prospers. We are the backbone of food security, the lifeblood of regional communities, and a driving force in the national economy.
Support for Australian agriculture is an investment in our shared future, and a rejection of those who would see our industry diminished.
The voice of rural Australia was heard loud and clear in Canberra. Now, it’s time for action.
We stand ready to work with policymakers to craft a vision for Australian agriculture that is sustainable, productive, and prosperous, while also standing firm against those who would seek to undermine our vital work.
The future of farming and our nation depends on it.
• Mr Jochinke is a farmer at Murra Warra.
Careers and Education in agriculture – program.
Project exploring options
Horsham secondary school students have explored careers in agriculture, including autonomous tractors and identifying honey quality, as part of Central Queensland University’s Raising Aspirations, Careers and Education, RACE, Victoria project.
University Agritech Education and Extension team member Grace Dendle said the travelling project showed students different career options in agriculture, and the food and fibre industries.
“We are showing students that they don’t have to be a farmer to work in agriculture,
there are so many different things in-between,” she said.
“At St Brigid’s College today, we are doing two activities – tractor co-creators, which is looking at coding and autonomous tractors; and the honey investigators, looking at different technologies and how you can look at fraud or fake honey.”
College students from Murtoa and Horsham’s Holy Trinity also attended the day, which was supported by the Department of Education and Wimmera Southern Mallee LLEN.
CLOSER LOOK: Central Queensland University’s Grace Dendle, right, with St Brigid’s College students Ally Wills and Lauren Stephens and Murtoa College students Kayne Sartori and Casey Franklin at the RACE – Raising Aspirations,
Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
FLOCK
On Property Auction
Wednesday
March shorn
Warren
Chicks in the Sticks set to return
One of the Wimmera’s favourite events for women in agriculture is returning in October.
After a 10-year hiatus, Chicks in the Sticks is back on October 23 at Grampians Park Station, Moyston.
The free event, starting at 9.15am and finishing at 3pm, will include morning tea and lunch.
Wimmera Catchment Management Authority, CMA, started Chicks in the Sticks more than 15 years ago to provide women on farms with access to practical and current farming information, to spark new ideas and foster connections with other rural women.
Sustainable agriculture facilitator Bronwyn Bant said the event was during school hours, allowing more mothers and carers to attend.
Ms Bant said organisers were excited to bring two leading women in agriculture to the region to share their knowledge and practical experience in low emissions farming.
“Both presenters approach low emissions farming from a pragmatic and realistic viewpoint,” she said.
“Women attending will be afforded optimistic and practical information to take back to their farms.”
Low emissions farming is the focus, featuring guest speakers Fiona Conroy and Cassandra Schefe.
Ms Conroy, who operates a mixed farming enterprise with her husband Cam Nicholson at the Bellarine Peninsula, will
share the practices she uses to achieve carbon-neutral status and the associated benefits.
They also run Nicon Rural Services and are widely recognised for their understanding of carbon from a farmer’s perspective.
“Fiona is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to carbon neutral ag,” Ms Bant said.
“Not only does she have skin in the game as a farmer, she is also a member of the Victorian Agriculture and Climate Change Council giving farmers a voice in decision making and providing feedback on how the sector can prepare for and respond to the impacts of a changing climate.”
Dr Cassandra Schefe has worked in numerous and varied science roles and is principal scientist at The Cool Soil Initiative, which started in 2018 to support farmers in exploring practices to improve the health of their soil, increase yields, and reduce on-farm greenhouse gas emissions.
LEFT: The last Chicks in the Sticks event was in the Wimmera 10 years ago. Previous events have included progressive dinners, high teas and outdoor twilight events beside a wetland.
A highly-respected soil scientist, she has also worked with many Wimmera farmers in helping them understand their farming systems and soil health through her business AgriSci.
“Cassandra has a really strong understanding of Wimmera soils, specialising in soil chemistry and soil-plant interactions. We are excited to bring someone with her extensive experience to the region,” Ms Bant said.
The event is open to all farmers interested in low emissions farming.
Tickets are free and available by booking online https://forms.office.com/r/ k2ayCLgfwH or emailing bronwyn.bant@ wcma.vic.gov.au
Chicks in the Sticks is delivered with funding support from the Federal Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the Carbon Farming Outreach Program.
Milestone sale for Janmac
Goroke brothers Grant and Bryce Hausler’s Janmac stud will host its 20th annual ram sale this year, offering prime lamb rams to producers who expect flexibility and breed control.
Grant Hausler said one of the greatest aspects of achieving the 20-year milestone was the stud continued to produce the high-quality stock his father had established.
“I’m proud Bryce and I have continued what he started, and now with my son Carl returned to the farm, it will carry on,” he said.
“We have maintained that high standard and continue to sell more rams each year – with about 250 rams being sold a year, we are really making a difference in the industry.”
Mr Hausler said another highlight of the past 20 years had been the people they had met.
“It is our business of course, and we like it and think we do it well. Along the way we meet friends and great people, and this is something we value as a family,” he said.
Despite the industry facing tough market and seasonal conditions in the past 12 months, the Janmac team is optimistic about what’s to come this year.
“We are going to see some really good prices this spring for lambs, we are upbeat about that,” Mr Hausler said.
“Comments I am hearing from agents is that prices are going to be very good for a well finished article – if we get 800c/kg it is about $60 more than last spring per lamb.
“Although we are going to need it due to higher feed costs, it also puts us back at the profitable end.”
Mr Hausler said they had faced the most difficult autumn and early winter most people in the region could recall, which was why breeding flexibility was key.
“Our sheep are the ones that we know can do that – the rams we breed and the lambs they leave have capacity to grow on and be shorn, or when the feed comes on, they can turn off as suckers, or if there is a market for stores they can do well there as well –
we can meet lots of markets,” he said.
Despite the challenging season it is ‘business as usual’ at Janmac, with Mr Hausler of the opinion that ‘if it has been working for the past couple of decades, then it will continue to work’ for the milestone 20th sale.
“What we do as breeders plays a role in how much money people make, so when you set a breeding aim you work towards it, you can’t chop and change looking for a silver bullet,” he said.
“We are again presenting at this year’s auction a strong group of top end rams that present very well and would suit stud operations.
“The rams have plenty of depth and just a touch more muscle as a group this year – we have targeted slightly more muscle in our rams without los-
ON PROPERTY
SALE: The Hausler families look forward to hosting clients and friends as they celebrate 20 years of annual on-property ram sales at Janmac.
ing the length and the frame we are known for.”
Janmac will offer 200 Poll Dorset and White Suffolk rams at its onproperty production sale this year at its Goroke Sale Shed from 1pm on Wednesday next week.
Buyers or buyer agents are invited on sale day to secure their pick of the pens as the auction will not be online this year.
The Hausler families look forward to hosting clients and friends as they celebrate 20 years of annual on-property ram sales at Janmac.
People can visit www.janmac.com.au or Janmac’s Facebook and Instagram pages for sale updates.
Supervision paramount
Farmsafe Australia is urging families to set up safe play areas and actively supervise children around water, in a bid to reduce the number of drowning incidents on farms.
The call comes in conjunction with Life Saving Victoria and Kidsafe Victoria.
Drowning remains one of the leading causes of child deaths on farms – the latest statistics from Royal Life Saving Society of Australia’s National Drowning Report show 26 per cent of toddlers aged up to four years who drowned in 2022-23 occurred in inland waterways such as lakes, dams, rivers, and creeks.
The figure rose to 43 per cent in the five-to-14-year age group.
Kidsafe Victoria general manager Jason Chambers said farms had several unique hazards not commonly found in suburban homes.
“Farms and regional properties often contain a number of different bodies of water such as dams, troughs, irrigation channels, water tanks, rivers and lakes, all which can pose a potential drowning hazard for children,” he said.
“Creating a safe play area that is away from water and other farm hazards such as animals and machinery, is a great way to provide kids with a safe place to explore.”
Health, wellbeing focus at field day
‘Spend more time working on your business than in your business’ was a key message at BCG’s Main Field Day at Nullawil earlier this month.
In his presentation at the field day, Professor Ross Kingwell outlined his 10-year profitability study of 250 Western Australian farmers, which found the most profitable farmers were those who consistently looked for answers and work-life balance.
“The study highlighted that profitable farmers were those who always have their antenna up, are always curious, always questioning and they weren’t workaholics,” he said.
“Farming for them was a social activity, not just business activity.
“The most profitable farms were those that spent more time working on their business than in their business.”
Prof Kingwell’s presentation was a highlight for many of the 400 growers and advisers who attended.
Eyre Peninsula farmer Mark Modra also made a presentation, which tied in with Prof Kingwell’s message, but focused on the importance of fatigue management and ‘knowing your capacity’.
Mr Modra attributes a farm accident, where he sustained a serious head wound and five broken vertebrae, to fatigue.
He told attendees he was no longer willing to compromise his health and
well-being to meet the demands of farming.
“When we are fatigued, we make mistakes. We get tunnel vision and things in our peripheral vision are missed,” he said.
“It also affects our mood, our reflexes, our ability to communicate appropriately and we are more likely to take short cuts.”
Health and wellbeing were a focus at the field day, with East Wimmera Health Service, Central Mallee Health, headspace, WorkSafe and Agriculture Victoria on-site, together with Northern District Community Health who provided health checks and advice throughout the day.
BCG’s Demi Taylor said the purpose of having a health focus at the field day was to offer busy farmers and advisers convenient access to these crucial services.
Nhill farmer Rodney Pohler said both the farm profitability and the farm safety presentation had important messages for attendees.
“Ross Kingwell’s presentation tied in nicely with Mark Modra’s with a focus on not being a workaholic,” he said.
Mr Pohler was also impressed by the adjuvant trial.
“It is good to see it in person. Some adjuvants were more targeted towards grass or broadleaf weeds so I learnt you need to know your main target,” he said.
For other farmers, the message of farm profitability was a standout.
“Ross Kingwell’s comment about livestock and its negative effect on profitability in Western Australia reaffirms what we are doing on our farm,” Andrew McLean, from Keith, said.
Research and genetics
A recurring theme of the day was the importance of research funding from levies and government, investment in genetics and the effects for farm profitability.
BCG senior manager of extension and communication Grace Hosking said the discussion about unlocking hyper yielding cereals with BCG’s Dr Yolanda Plowman and The University
of Melbourne’s Professor James Hunt drew a large crowd and highlighted the importance of ongoing research.
“The smart disease management, NVT and long coleoptile wheats sessions further cemented the importance of research and investment in genetics,” she said.
More than 50 students from five schools attended the field day with a focus on education as well as highlighting career opportunities in the agricultural industry.
North Central LLEN’s agriculture education project co-ordinator Susan Gould said she was impressed.
“It was a successful day and the enthusiasm of the students and the staff
Did you know we also do windscreens for tractors, trucks, buses and other farm machinery!
Contact Horsham Autoglass today to organise prompt repair or replacement.
enhanced the good vibe. The careers panel was the perfect mix for the student audience,” she said.
“I love the altruistic and communityfocus of BCG, breaking down some of the traditional competitive and individualistic notions of agriculture.”
BCG staff and collaborators also enjoyed bringing research and extension topics such as optimising canola establishment, future proofing Australia’s supply chain, active versus passive nitrogen application decision making, on-farm biosecurity, the interactive trial and the pulse session, to life on the day.
BCG chief executive Fiona Best thanked the Watts family for hosting the event.
“The BCG Main Field Day is our way of connecting with farmers, to share the work we do for them and their surrounding communities,” she said.
“It’s an educational event showcasing the latest research and thinking in crop production and farming more generally.
“Bringing together such a diverse range of quality speakers is a highlight for BCG as an organisation and we thank our attendees, presenters, collaborators and sponsors for being actively involved in the day.”
For more details, or to become a member, people can call BCG on 5492 2487 or visit www.bcg.org.au/ memberships.
ON SITE: Roy Daykin, left, and Hopetoun grower Coleman Schache in the interactive trial at BCG’s Main Field Day at Nullawil on September 11.
Stalled progress
It’s 20 years since the Australian wool industry made a commitment to a nationwide phase out of mulesing.
Mulesing is animal husbandry practice of cutting loose skin off the breech of lambs so they’re less likely to suffer from flystrike, where flies lay eggs in faeces on the rear end, which then hatch into maggots and can eat into the flesh of the sheep.
All in all, a horrible state of affairs.
Like most people who weren’t brought up on sheep farms, I had no idea of the practice when I worked on a sheep farm in western Victoria when I was just 20 years old. I quickly found out what mulesing was.
As the person doing the last job to lambs in the sheep cradle putting fly powder on their bleeding bottoms, I had to throw out my shirt, which ended up saturated in sheep’s blood.
I was horrified. But then I saw sheep who were fly struck. The smell of that was far more horrific.
Still, I couldn’t comprehend how there wasn’t a better way.
Mulesing was apparently ‘invented’ by a wool grower, a Mr Mules, in South Australia in the early 1900s.
It’s astonishing that more than a century later we still haven’t found an alternative.
The commitment to phase out mulesing by 2010 was made after a graphic animal welfare campaign run by the American based PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
But at the eleventh hour, Australian Wool Innovation reneged on the promise in 2009 saying it wasn’t achievable by the deadline.
Some woolgrowers who had gone down the
Country Today
with Libby Price
path of breeding sheep with plainer bodies and bare bottoms were grumbling that it may well have been pressure from the then chair of AWI, outspoken fine wool grower Wal Merriman who admitted he still mulesed his sheep.
PETA’s campaign seemed to fizzle as it took on bigger issues like the fur trade, and the likes of banning circus animals.
But Four Paws has picked up the slack with its Wool with a Butt campaign.
So far, so good: no graphic advertisements to horrify the public … yet.
Last week, RSPCA Australia chief science officer Dr Suzie Fowler told Country Today the organisation wants to kick-start the phasing out of mulesing and is calling on all state and territory governments to legislate a ban.
“Australia is the only country still using this outdated practice,” Dr Fowler said.
“We know lambs suffer during the procedure for days, even weeks afterwards. We simply can’t afford another 20 years of stalled progress – not when there is a viable, humane alternative already available, which is to breed flystrike-resistant sheep.”
So woolgrowers: forewarned is forearmed. Do you want another ugly battle, or is it time to give it all a rethink?
Janet Exell
Haven pony Royal champion
Harness racing trainer Janet Exell won ‘Champion Harness Pony’ at Royal Adelaide Show with her Welsh Mountain pony Yanina Mr Magical.
Ms Exell said she took a team of four harness horses to the event.
“I had the help of Michelle Grixti, who did their white socks and presentation, as well as Julie Monaghan, who did odd jobs,” she said.
“My niece Laura stayed at home tending to my harness racing horses, but arrived late in the week to drive a pony.
“Others in my team
were Yanina Bling it On, who won novice harness pony and placed in his other class, and my palomino mare Westbury I am Brileigh, who placed in her classes.”
Ms Exell also took standardbred The Noble Steed, who won reserve champion harness horse and pleasure harness horse.
“He was raced by Kerryn Manning and won 17 races and almost $140,000 for her, but now he is pampered as a show horse and is winning in a different discipline for me,” she said.
“Last year we went out on the old racetrack around the outside of the Horsham Showground to get to his arena, and he thought he was back racing – I thought I would have to be most unladylike in a skirt and put my feet up on the dash of the viceroy to hold him.”
Ms Exell also breeds and buys Welsh Mountain ponies for breaking and competing in harness, and has a small team of trotters and pacers at her McKenzie Creek stud, Yanina, which means ‘Janet’ in Polish.
SUCCESS:
with Welsh Mountain pony Yanina Mr Magical at the Royal Adelaide Show earlier this month. Picture: Jenny Barnes Photography
ELDERS STUD STOCK
2024 RAM SALES
E P T E M B E R
WED 25TH OAKBANK MERINO AND POLL RAM SALE GRE GRE NORTH, 1pm
THUR 26TH WALLALOO PARK MERINO RAM SALE MARNOO, 1pm
THUR 26TH WESTLEIGH WHITE SUFFOLK RAM SALE LAKE WONGAN, 1.30pm
MON 7TH CURLEW MERINO RAM SALE CHARAM, 1pm
WED 9TH MELROSE MERINO AND POLL MERINO SALE NURRABIEL, 1pm
THUR 10TH DETPA GROVE WHITE SUFFOLK SALE JEPARIT, 1pm
FRI 11TH GLENPAEN MERINO AND POLL MERINO SALE BRIMPAEN, 1pm
WED 16TH CONNEWARREN MERINO RAM SALE MORTLAKE, 1pm
THUR 17TH JACKSON FARMING BORDER LEICESTER & POLL DORSET RAM SALE MOYSTON, 1pm
FRI 18TH WEST WAIL WHITE SUFFOLK SALE HORSHAM, 1pm
FRI 18TH SOUTHERN VICTORIAN MERINO FIELD DAY ARARAT REG., 9am-4pm
TUES 22ND STUD PARK SOUTH MERINO RAM SALE WILLAURA, 1pm
‘The black sheep’
BY AMY JENKINSON PrinciPal lawyer
, Harwood Andrews Atrust structure is often recommended to agribusiness owners to distribute income tax effectively and safeguard assets.
A family trust structure should function successfully over time. However, changed family dynamics and business circumstances can trigger a dispute.
Family members can challenge how the income, assets or liabilities of a trust are being distributed or managed, seek access to the trust’s records or attempt to gain control of a trust and its assets.
Inadequate professional advice and individual understanding of the nature of a trust structure when established, and a trustee’s ongoing obligations, can contribute to a dispute and affect the outcome.
A Victorian Supreme Court of Appeal decision provides an important reminder of the need for trustees of family discretionary trusts to properly understand, and exercise, their obligations when distributing income to beneficiaries.
In Owies v JJE Nominees Pty Ltd 2022 VSCA 142, the court heard distributions made by the trustee were voidable and could potentially be set aside.
The court found the trustee failed to give genuine consideration of the circumstances of all potential beneficiaries when exercising its discretion to distribute income.
Where there are a small number of beneficiar
ies, the trustee must make specific enquiries regarding their financial circumstances before making a distribution, even if the family relationship is strained.
The directors of the trustee made no enquiries of their two estranged children for several years.
The court concluded the trustee failed to give real and genuine consideration to the beneficiaries’ financial circumstances.
The relationship between the trustee and beneficiaries was irreconcilable, meaning the trustee could not act impartially and appointment of a replacement independent trustee was ordered.
The court also had regard to the fixed pattern of distribution of trust income in previous financial years, individual circumstances of the beneficiaries, such as ill-health or financial position, and lack of communication with the beneficiaries by the trustee, including a failure to make proper enquiries regarding their need for a distribution.
The outcome of disputes relating to family discretionary trusts depends on the specific factual circumstances and individual legal advice is always required.
However, individuals in control of the trustee of a family discretionary trust and their accounting advisors should take note of the above considerations when making decisions regarding distribution of trust income or assets and documenting them.
Family and business dynamics can change, the obligations of a trustee do not. Do not ignore the black sheep of the family.
CELEBRATION: To celebrate National Farmer Day on November 15, the National Farmers Federation has a photo and video competition open to everyone – whether you are a professional photographer or just love taking pictures. People are encouraged to show their perspective on agriculture, whether it’s a rural landscape, a day in the life on the farm, or the fruits of the farmers’ labour. Entries open on October 4 and close November 15 with cash prizes for the best entries. Visit https://agday.org.au/ photography-video-competition1/ for more information. Picture: Daniel Clark
Dam management workshop
Agriculture Victoria land management officer Clem Sturmfels will lead a dam management discussion at a free breakfast workshop next month.
As producers continue to navigate a difficult season, they can discuss strategies for rainfall and runoff, dam volume calculations, how long water will last, as well as other management strategies.
Mr Sturmfels said assessing how much water was in a dam could be difficult due to a dam’s odd shape and formula used to measure its volume.
“Farm dams generally hold less water than expected and in a dry year, it’s important farmers have a good understanding of how much water is left in their dams and plan accordingly,” he said.
“The volume of a dam is closely related to its length and width. A stable, well-built dam has gently sloping sides, which nearly meet in the middle of the dam’s base.
“For example, a rectangular dam measuring 33-metres by 22-metres has a depth of about
three-metres and volume of about one-million litres, or one-megalitre. A triangular-shaped dam with similar measurements has a volume of about half this amount. Evaporation will cause a loss of about 60 per cent of this volume, leaving the dam with enough water to carry about 200 sheep or 20 cattle for one year.
“Many dams rely on a regular top-up of water during autumn or spring, however this year has seen dry seasonal conditions, making the chance of a top up less likely due to depleted soil moisture and less runoff.”
Agriculture Victoria has several tools to help farmers calculate dam volumes based on shape, length, width and depth, including a farm water calculator, a summer water calculator, and a fishing line measuring device, all available online.
Workshops are at Nangeela on October 8, Nareen on October 9, and Karabeal on October 10 – people can register online at www.try booking.com/events/landing/1282637?embed or by calling 0400 532 595.
