AgLife – October 25, 2023 edition

October 25, 2023

Regional update The Southern Pulse Agronomy research team explored new varieties and findings with Wimmera growers and agronomists at a Wimmera Pulse Field Day last week. Agriculture Victoria lentil breeder Arun Shunmugam, left, and Stu Ockerby of Seednet were on site at Jung for the event. Story, page 33.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

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BY SEAN O’CONNELL

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Quantong man wants to encourage others to get involved in judging and showing birds, after taking out a national competition in Tasmania.

Michael Lloyd won the National Poultry Young Judges competition, while representing Victoria at the Launceston Royal Show.

Mr Lloyd said being awarded the first-place sash was as much about recognising the people who had helped become involved in judging birds, which he does alongside entering his own animals at shows.

“It was good to get the win for everyone who helped me along the way – especially those who mentored me when I was younger.

A lot of people were absolutely rapt,” he said.

Mr Lloyd said the positive reaction from others in the hobby was expected, given how community-oriented it had been.

“There are some people you see once or twice a year and you pick up exactly where you left off,” he said.

“Everyone has this common interest, but they come from different backgrounds and work in different industries.”

Mr Lloyd said the judging competition involved three sections of birds, including black Australorp

“It’s a good hobby to get involved in for those who have free weekends. It has the community feel of a sports club, but it’s for animal-focused people”

– Michael Lloyd

bantam females, silver duckwing Old English game bantam females and trout Indian Runner drakes.

He said each section comprised four birds, with an expert judge going through before the competitors and giving their own assessment.

“We go through afterwards and are marked up against how they did it,” he said.

“In one of the three sections, you give a two-minute oral presentation. I did mine on the Indian Runner.

“In that, you thank the hosts and explain your order of the birds.

“It shows you’re competent in accurately comparing them.

“If you’ve placed them slightly differently to the judge, and you are able to explain that order, then you are not penalised.”

Mr Lloyd said he had previously participated in the competition in Adelaide, Perth and Sydney.

He said this year would be his last, to make way for emerging talent.

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“In Victoria, we have a young group of judges, he said.

“They are people who will do it in the future, which is why I wanted to step away.

“What you pick up in that time, it does change how you look at birds.”

Mr Lloyd said the next generation of judges would be part of his own plans going forward.

“I’d like to get more judging jobs at royal and national shows and mentor the younger contributors across the Wimmera,” he said.

“It’s a good hobby to get involved in for those who have free weekends.

“It has the community feel of a sports club, but it’s for animalfocused people.”

Mr Lloyd said participating in shows could also be beneficial for people wanting to learn more about animals.

“I picked the genetics in biology up like it was nothing, because I could visualise it with the chooks,” he said.

“It’s definitely a good way of learning different aspects of biology, such as the stages of reproduction, growth, the health side through nursing animals back to health and even different diseases.”

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BY ABBY WALTER

he future of farming and harnessing farming innovation were major topics of discussion during Nuseed’s 10-year celebration in Horsham.

A panel including Nufarm sustainability, industry and government relations lead Adam Blight, Nuseed chief technology lead Rodrigo Sarria, Nuseed chief executive Greg Hunt, Member for Lowan Emma Kealy and Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster discussed crop and farming innovation, and the future of the industry.

Mr Hunt said the future of farming needed a holistic approach.

“We require sustainability, technology, innovation and collaboration,” he said.

“Every farmer wants to leave the farm better for future generations – we need to work together to leave the planet a better place.

“We punch well above our weight in Australia for that, but we’re still not where we want to be.”

Mr Hunt said current emphasis was on energy transmission, because the industry also had to balance a forecast need to be able to feed 10 billion peo-

FUTURE OF FARMING: Nuseed general manager Rachel Palumbo, left, with Nufarm sustainability, industry and government relations lead Adam Blight, Nuseed chief executive Greg Hunt and Member for Lowan Emma Kealy at Nuseed’s 10 years of innovation conference in Horsham. ple by 2050. He said it was a job for farmers and industry organisations to ensure food security, while applying technology and innovation to invest in products such as renewable biofuel.

Mr Blight said there was a thirst for innovation in food, fuel and fibre and to work towards carbon reduction, but there would be no short-term solution.

He said the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics assessed Australia’s sustainability in the industry and it stacked up well internationally, but could continue to improve.

“The industry has already taken huge steps to increase productivity and sustainability for many years,”

Mr Blight said. “We need to do a better job of telling that story and be more creative and bolder to reach our urban population, so they understand the journey.”

Dr Sarria said as weather became more ‘erratic’ there would be a greater need for solutions to combat stressors on crops.

He said developing frost and drought resistance, among combating other pressures, would require more effort and resources.

“It’s not just about genetics, either; it’s also how the crop is engineered, and the inputs used,” he said.

“It’s also not enough to just produce food with the crops we are producing – it’s important agriculture has a negative carbon footprint.

“I’m passionate that we don’t just use resources, but leave resources and focus on replenishing resources to leave the planet better.”

Dr Webster, also shadow Minister for Agriculture, said there were seven priorities in the government’s 10-year plan for the industry, which had a focus on regional agriculture.

She said priorities were stronger trade and exports; protection from pests and disease; better productiv-

ity and better environment; strong local manufacturing; more resilient infrastructure including road and rail; innovation and research; and a secure future for farmers.

“We need to be supporting innovation going forward,” Dr Webster said.

“What agriculture needs is the equivalent of what we have with an energy commissioner – a link between people on the ground with people driving change.

“We also need sustainability of the industry to allow farmers to do what they do well and have policies to support doing that.”

Ms Kealy said providing efficient ways to get freight to market via road and rail, reliable internet access, housing and local manufacturing would be what the State Government could do to best support growers.

She said the Wimmera was a global leader in research, which allowed farmers to grow the best crops for the soil and climate.

“We need to tell our children, not just those in urban areas, what we do here and show them they can be proud of where they come from and what we do,” she said.

Scientists share experiences Nuseed’s next generation of scientists featured at the organisation’s 10-year celebration of its innovation centre.

Journalist Tim Lee hosted a panel of four Nuseed scientists, who spoke about their experience in the industry and of the region, and what it takes to entice students to the region for their careers.

Canola trait development and discovery scientist Udhaya Kannan said it was ‘amazing’ to witness how technology had evolved across the agriculture industry.

“Horsham is a major hub for agriculture and the work we do has a major global impact, which is wonderful,” she said.

“It’s about being part of a bigger team and understanding that what we do is important.”

Double Haploid Lab research scientist Kaat Devriendt said there were challenges in attracting students to regional areas to complete their ed-

ucation and work. “There are a lot of applicants from big cities, but you can see hesitation after studying there to move to a country town,” she said.

“It’s a big step, so it’s important to help them build a life beyond study here.

“There are opportunities in Horsham for people considering a career in agriculture, who will be part of a growing business and industry.”

Australian National University PhD student Reshma Roy said she was most excited about sustainable solutions for the industry and for people to speak about the future of agriculture.

“Agriculture is a growing industry and is the most essential industry on the planet,” she said.

“I admire people in agriculture who are innovating to make the world a better place to live in.

“The best way forward is investing in students for future generations,

NEXT GEN: Panel host Tim Lee with Nuseed panellists Kaat Devriendt, Tony Leonforte, Udhaya Kannan and Reshma Roy at the organisation’s 10 years of innovation event in Horsham. Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER as graduates look for employment options.”

Australian research and development manager Tony Leonforte said it was important to be part of the agri-

culture community, as someone working in innovating for the industry.

“When growers have good years or bad years, you have to be part of that and it enables you to understand and

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Regional update at field day S

BY ABBY WALTER

outhern Pulse Agronomy research team explored new varieties and findings with Wimmera growers and agronomists at a Wimmera Pulse Field Day on Thursday.

The field day and crop walk explored lentil, chickpea, field pea, faba bean and vetch trials.

The site includes trials focusing on herbicide tolerance, disease, weeds, phenology and variety.

Agriculture Victoria senior research agronomist Jason Brand, a member of the research team, said the event aimed to update growers and advisors about the latest varieties and research in the pulse industry.

“We bring people together and present exactly what we’re doing this year, what’s happening and any new findings,” he said.

“We were happy with the turnout and we had a range of industries, of private and public companies – and that’s what it’s about, bringing them together with a focus on pulses.

“We had a lot of agronomists attend, which was fantastic because I’ve always had the theory if you get one agronomist, you access 30 growers, so we have done what we wanted to do.”

Mr Brand said the season looked good across the Wimmera.

He said he expected growers were

RESEARCH: Agriculture Victoria senior research agronomist Jason Brand and Rob Launder of PB Seeds at a Wimmera Pulse Field Day. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER pleased it was beginning to warm up while there was still good soil moisture.

“If we look at where the Wimmera is at compared to other parts of Australia, we’re as good as anywhere, and it is a beautiful place,” Mr Brand said.

“As long as temperatures don’t go

super high or super low, we should be good for the rest of the season.”

The trial site is located at Banyena Road, Jung.

The field day was organised in partnership with Frontier Farming Systems and forms part of the Southern Pulse Agronomy program – a co-investment between Agriculture

Victoria and Grains Research and Development Corporation.

The Southern Pulse Agronomy program delivers development trials and extension activities as it aims to close the economic yield gap and maximise farming system benefits from pulse production.

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National Farmers’ Federation has announced the first three products to be certified under the Australian Farm Data Code.

The code is the first in Australia and aims to inform the data management policies of product and service providers who manage data on behalf of farmers.

Pairtree Intelligence, FarmSimple and Western Australia’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development now have products certified.

NFF vice-president David Jochinke, chair of the new certification panel, said the voluntary code was a yardstick for farmers to easily evaluate what could be an ‘overwhelming’ minefield in data terms and policies.

“Data about soils, yields and finances are part of modern farming,” he said.

“Farmers need to know and trust their data is secure, not being shared or sold to third parties, and they have control of it.

“The code provides a publicly available audit report for each product that has been assessed against the code’s six principles – transparency, fairness, control, portability, security and compliance.

“It’s important to know where in the world is our farm data being stored and is it secure, is it being de-identified, what risks are there, and what value do we get from giving a company our farm data?”

More information about the code, including how providers are assessed and the register of certified products is available at nff. org.au/programs/australian-farm-data-code

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here’s been a bit of chatter on social media lately about farmer policy groups extending their activity to aggregated buying for members.

It probably stems from a view the concentration of ownership of supply chains to – and from – the farmgate is not conducive to healthy competition.

It’s fair to observe we now seem to have an oligopoly environment in agriculture.

A few very large companies have majority market share of supplies to farms.

And similarly, a few large companies dominate the marketing of farm produce.

So does this scale of a few mean their buying power, or marketing power, generates a good outcome for Australian farmers?

Or does it mean the lack of competition leads to a poor outcome for them?

There’s undoubtedly arguments both ways, but I do find it hard to identify an example where oligopolies lead to good consumer or supplier outcomes.

Whether it be supermarkets, fuel suppliers or fertiliser suppliers, those with extensive market power use that to drive share-

From left field with David Matthews

holder returns – we shouldn’t be surprised, that’s their job. So can farmers work together to balance the scales a bit?

I’m writing this from France, where I’ve recently met with people from the French farmer co-operative Limagrain.

Limagrain and the CSIRO jointly own the intellectual property for the specialty High Amylose Wheat being produced by Farm Trade Australia members.

Limagrain is owned by 1500 farmers.

It began in 1965 as a seed business but has evolved to encompass the entire supply chain from plant breeding to flour milling to retail supply of bakery products.

The business has 9000 employees globally.

Could we emulate this in Australia?

It’s a question we’ve been testing with Farm Trade Australia activities over the past couple of years.

Based on our experiences, I’m not convinced aggregated buying

alone is enough reason to create a grower co-op.

Similarly, recent attempts to create co-ops for marketing commodity grains have not endured.

The exception, of course, is the CBH group in Western Australia.

However, the idea of creating a framework that allows farmers to collaborate with business opportunities they can’t access as individuals does have merit.

A farmer-owned agribusiness of scale would have a place – not to take over from incumbents, but to be a visible grower collective offering an alternate path for adoption of new technologies.

Farmers will often say they don’t have the time, or perhaps the ability, to establish and run enterprises other than their farm.

I don’t agree with this view.

Farmers are just as capable as any other group in the business community. They can develop the skills and structure to operate a successful agribusiness.

It’s mainly a matter of deciding if we want more influence over what happens outside the farmgate.

If we’re happy with the status quo that’s fine.

If not, then perhaps it’s time we did something about it.

95 Nelson Street, Nhill CALL 03 5391 2106

FLEECE AND FLOWERS: Simone and Andrew Bell prepare for an annual Fleece and Flower Show at Wonwondah Hall.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Annual Wonwondah showcase Wonwondah Hall Fleece and Flower Show will bring the community together on Sunday for another historic event.

The show has been running at Wonwondah Hall since the 1940s and is a staple in the community’s yearly calendar.

There are crossbred and merino wool, cut flowers, fruits and vegetables, cooking and children’s art and craft sections at the show.

Hall committee president Andrew Bell said he was looking forward to seeing as many entries as possible.

“The event and the entries pack out the hall,” he said.

“It’s our largest fundraiser for the hall for the year and allows us to do upkeep and maintenance. Our next big project will be to paint the hall.”

Mr Bell said the Fleece and Flower Show was important to the Wonwondah community.

“It brings the locals together and shows off what we can produce in the area,” he said.

“The hall is still used for auctions and other events we run throughout the year.

“It’s one of the only small halls left in the district that is used often.”

Mr Bell said Member for Lowan Emma Kealy was this year’s guest speaker.

He said entries would be accepted at the hall from 10.30am to noon.

“All the entries will then be judged and then from 2pm, with an afternoon tea, people can come through and see who won prizes and who won the aggregate in each class,” he said.

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Lower production totals predicted 95 Nelson Street, Nhill CALL 03 5391 2106

A

ustralian grain and oilseed production is predicted to return to modest totals for the current season with forecasted dry conditions.

Rabobank, in its new 2023-24 Australian Winter Crop Forecast, indicates the country is on track to harvest a total winter crop of 48.72 million tonnes.

While down 24 percent on last season’s record-breaking 63.85-million tonne national crop, it is close to the five-year average and above totals recorded in 2018-19 and 2020-21.

However, winter crop production is

not expected to decline in Victoria, where the bank sees it rising by eight percent from last year.

RaboResearch associate analyst Edward McGeoch co-authored the report and said prices were expected to provide a silver lining to the lower production totals for farmers.

He said dry conditions in Australia were pushing local prices above global prices to a ‘positive basis’ for wheat and barley, and global export demand should also be supportive of canola prices.

Mr McGeoch said the prevailing El Niño climate outlook played a significant role in the tighter supply outlook

for grain and oilseeds. “Production expectations are varied across regions, with some farmers expecting to see elevated production due to positive growing conditions they have experienced, while others will be facing tough decisions as to whether it will be worth harvesting their crop,” he said.

Mr McGeoch said the increase in Victoria’s crop was primarily due to losses incurred due to flood damage.

“Parts of Victoria have seen further strong rainfall across cropping regions in early October, which will play a significant role in determining if these targets will be achieved or exceeded,”

he said. Mr McGeoch said barley was expected to experience the slightest decline – down 18 percent on last year to 11.91 million tonnes.

“However, this is primarily due to an increased planted area for barley this season compared with 2022-23, while the remainder of the winter crop varieties saw reductions in planted area,” he said.

Canola production is forecast to fall 24 percent on last year to 5.77 million tonnes, while pulse production – though forecast to be down this season – remains slightly higher than the fiveyear average, at 3.08 million tonnes.

Mr McGeoch said Australia was

still well positioned to support global wheat needs, while also seeing supportive factors for canola and barley exports.

The report showed the environment was becoming more supportive for global grain prices, with all major grain harvests, apart from Australia, to finish by December.

Dry conditions in Canada and Argentina are also putting potential additional pressure on global supply.

“The reduced supply outlook is supporting local prices, as we have domestic consumption and export competition,” Mr McGeoch said.

Wild dog management policy extended A State Government policy that allows for the control of wild dogs and dingoes near farmland has been extended for another year, despite calls to abandon the policy.

The Wild Dog Management Plan declares dingoes, which are otherwise protected under legislation, unprotected in certain areas.

The move to extend the policy comes after Barengi Gadjin Land Council, which represents Traditional Owners in the Wimmera and Mallee, expressed its concerns about the program, which it said had been harming the Victorian dingo population.

A Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action spokesperson said it would continue to balance the concerns of stakeholders.

HEALTHY LIFE: Episode one of the latest ‘Farmer Wants a Healthy Life’ podcast series features Wimmera resident Margaret Millington.

New podcast series available farming, and farm fitness.

West Wimmera Health Service’s health promotion manager Dorothy McLaren said the podcast was inspired by a desire to work with people living in rural settings, to start a conversation about unique health and wellbeing issues.

“Locals interviewed on the podcast speak openly about how they have overcome adversities in ways that may surprise you, and we’re hopeful that it will inspire listeners to make choices to improve their own health, to live and thrive,” she said.

The first episode for the new season, ‘Out of the tunnel of

A new season of West Wimmera Health Service’s ‘Farmer Wants a Healthy Life’ podcast is now available.

It is a series of candid stories from farmers and residents across the Wimmera and southern-Mallee.

Season four includes topics spanning alcoholism, anxiety, a Swedish woman’s take on ‘paddock to plate’ on her Aussie farm, making farms safer for children, connection to land – working with it not on it, dogs helping to minimise the impact of mental health, family and domestic violence, gambling effects on a family, bio-dynamic

grief’ features Margaret Millington, sharing the lessons she has learned from losing the people she loves, and how relocating to the Wimmera offered her a chance for renewal.

Hosted by well-known Wimmera identity, and mountain climber turned storyteller, Brigitte Muir, season four features 10 episodes, with the first five episodes already available and a new episode available weekly on Fridays.

People can tune in on their favourite podcast app or visit wwhs.net.au/Farmer-wants-ahealthy-life

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“We will continue to work with Traditional Owners, farmers and private landholders to appropriately balance the protection of livestock and dingo conservation,” the spokesperson said.

Victorian Farmers Federation Livestock Group vice-president Peter Star welcomed the extension.

“It just made sense to extend the highly successful Wild Dog Management Plan,” he said.

“The plan is a nation-leading initiative that protects both farmers and our native wildlife.

“The VFF is looking forward to continuing engaging with the government on the many benefits the wild dog management program delivers and will advocate for the program’s strengthening and extension over the next year.”

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SA & Vic NVT predicted MET yield of lentil varieties (% mean yield) 2020 2021 2022 112 111 126 GIA ThunderA IMI 108 102 113 PBA Jumbo2A 107 109 93 GIA LightningA IMI 97 102 105 PBA KelpieA XT 102 100 102 GIA LeaderA IMI 101 101 100 PBA HurricaneA XT 102 105 94 PBA HighlandA XT 100 100 100 PBA HallmarkA XT Mean Yield (t/ha) 2.22 3.33 3.12 No. of Trials 11 4 11 *Note: 2022 trial results influenced by disease, particularly varieties rated MS or less for BGM

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ongerenong College students recently immersed themselves in hands-on research during an eventful Research Trial Field Day hosted on campus.

Exhibiting their real-life trials on the 1040-hectare commercial farm, students presented and observed variations in their methodologies, from crop plots to organic drench for livestock.

The event also featured insightful presentations from industry experts who also use the college’s commercial farm for research.

Highlights included a tour of BASF’s field site and canola programs led by Tim Davey, a company overview and field

PARTNERSHIP: Longerenong College general manager Avril Hogan, centre, with University of New England’s Lou Conway, left, and Justin Bailey debut a new partnership between the tertiary education providers to expand opportunities for graduates.

Growing skills with Avril Hogan

Longerenong College general manager

walk led by Gavin Brown from UPL Global and closed with an insightful discussion on long-term rotation trials at SCRIME, guided by Roger Armstrong from Agriculture Victoria.

Longerenong College would like to thank Nick Wachsmann, Plant Science and Crop Agronomy, Essential Skills Coordinator, for organising an excellent FIELD DAY: Longerenong College Advanced Diploma of Agribusiness Management and Certificate IV day for students. students at a research trial field day on campus.

New pathway for college graduates A new partnership between Longerenong College and University of New England will provide Wimmera graduates the opportunity to move into a Bachelor of Agriculture program.

For any alumni of Longerenong College who completed a diploma or advanced diploma qualification, direct entry into UNE’s bachelor program is available.

Longerenong College general manager Avril Hogan said the

college was proud to announce the new pathway.

“We are very excited to see where this relationship with the University of New England will take us, for the benefit of alumni, students and industry,” she said.

UNE Bachelor of Agriculture course co-ordinator Jamie Barwick said a direct entry pathway for Diploma of Agriculture graduates was a fantastic opportunity for Longerenong graduates.

He said graduates would gain credit for their previous study while upgrading agricultural science, animal and plant production knowledge and skills to a full bachelor’s degree.

UNE was the first university to establish a data farm and integrate training in precision agriculture into its program.

Longerenong College graduates will only need to complete two years, of the three-year degree, to complete the bachelor’s degree.

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Wednesday, October 25, 2023

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And now the bubble bursts...

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on’t we all like to talk about real estate values? Almost as much as we like to talk about the weather.

I must admit, though, that the meteoric rise in rural land values by more than a third in just two years made me nervous.

Banks were reporting rural land values were increasing faster than the residential property market and the share market.

If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

And we just might have reached that tell-tale point.

The rural land market has stalled, and quite spectacularly.

The Rural Bank Australian Farmland Values report for the first six months of this year shows transaction volumes across the country are at their lowest level in 28 years as potential vendors sit tight and buyers exercise caution.

The highest decline in transactions was in Victoria, with a 44.6 percent drop.

The calm after the storm as everyone regroups, takes a deep breath, and says, did that really happen?

Rural Bank senior insights manager Greg Kuchel told Country Today: “It’s

Country Today with Libby Price

come about those high prices have flushed out willing sellers in the last few years and we’re now starting to see that get back to normalisation in the numbers of transactions, which is then starting to reflect in some of the land values we’re seeing as well.”

It’s also a very different story depending on what type of farmland.

Cropping country is still holding up

pretty well, but the collapse in the red meat market has inevitably led to a softening on land values on grazing country.

“What we have seen in the grazing country, we are obviously all well aware of what red meat prices and wool prices have done, and that’s certainly put a dampener on the transactions from a grazing perspective,” Mr Kuchel said.

“However those cropping areas across most states where we’ve seen three years, if not four good consecutive seasons, we are also seeing grain prices holding quite solidly, so we certainly are seeing two different

Result today

Resources for grain growers Victorian grain growers can access a suite of new resources to help them prepare for, and deal with, effects of late frosts and a potential dry finish to the growing season.

Agriculture Victoria produced a new webpage, ‘Cutting failed crops for hay or silage,’ to help growers make decisions on failed crops due to spring frosts or moisture stress.

Agriculture Victoria regional grains manager Felicity Pritchard said grain growers could also access new tools for forecasting frosts via the Bureau of Meteorology and tips for practical strategies for managing frost better.

She said the resources were important given the wet start to the season and forecast dry spring conditions for the major grain-growing areas of Victoria, which brought a heightened risk of late frosts.

“Crops that fail due to frost, moisture stress or other limiting factors may be cut for silage or hay as an economically viable option,” she said.

“The webpage highlights key factors growers need to consider, to make sound and timely decisions.”

Ms Pritchard encouraged growers to join ‘Better Frost Decisions’ Facebook group for more information on identifying and responding to frost.

The group is part of the Grains Research and Development Corporation investment to deliver frost extension activities in the southern region and is managed by Mallee Sustainable Farming.

stories depending on the use of the country and the industry we’re talking about.”

The other factors that have had a big impact in a short period of time have been the El Niño weather pattern, an increase in input costs and where the interest market has moved.

There is one shining light in Victoria. Gippsland land values per hectare are still the highest in the country.

“At more than $22,000 per hectare it is certainly some of the most expensive country, so yes, Victoria has maintained its number one in Gippsland as the highest value country,” Mr Kuchel said.

National Farmers’ Federation will announce the results of its president and vice-president election today at its annual general meeting in Canberra.

Murra Warra farmer David Jochinke has nominated for the president role.

Mr Jochinke has been the federation’s vice-president since November 2017, after serving as a director for several years.

He also served as president of the Victorian Farmers Federation from 2016 to 2020.

Georgie Somerset of Durong in Queensland and Tony York of Tammin in Western Australia also nominated for president. John Hassell of East Pingelly, Western Australia nominated for vice-president.

National day

AWARDED: Goroke P-12 College students Will Hausler and Maisy Batson with two of the school’s three Isa browns, which won a champion award at Melbourne Royal Show.

Champion chickens in Goroke Three Goroke P-12 College chickens were the winners of Champion Schools Poultry Competition – Senior, at the Melbourne Royal Show.

The exhibit was judged on a sci-

entific poster tracking growth, food conversion efficiency and research surrounding egg production – the poster received first prize.

The Isa browns were also evaluated

throughout the show and judged on the number of eggs laid.

The three Goroke hens laid 24 eggs across 11 days to take out the champion title.

‘Grow you good thing’ is the catch cry for this year’s National Agriculture Day and the National Farmers’ Federation is rallying all Australians to get behind farmers on November 17 to celebrate.

NFF president Fiona Simson said the annual shout-out to farmers and the incredible food and fibre they grow could not come at a better time.

“We have an El Niño on our hands and some farmers are facing a poor outlook,” she said.

“That being said, Aussie farmers work hard to make sure the impact of dry times is barely felt at dinner tables.”

People wanting to register a public or private event can visit agday.org.au

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