AgLife – July 26, 2023 edition

Land prices escalate

Land prices across the Wimmera, and Australia, have skyrocketed in the past three years, a new Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, ABARES, index shows.

Preliminary prices in 2023 for the Wimmera and Mallee, classified as wheat-sheep zones, average $3500 per hectare, up from $1900 in 2020.

South of the Wimmera to the coast of Victoria and along the eastern coast of Australia is classified as a high-rain zone, where the current average is $9000 per hectare, up from $3900 in 2020.

ABARES executive director Jared Greenville said the index took into account farmer surveys and CoreLogic data, which details all sale transactions of farmland since 1992.

“We have used that to estimate the value, per hectare, of farmland – taking into account different characteristics of where it is, what it is used for and how many houses or dwellings might be on it,” he said.

“There’s been a steady increase in farmland prices, particularly since the mid-2000s, but the past three years is extraordinary.

“In the past three years it’s close to doubling. It is an extraordinary up kick and that is across all different parcels of land we looked at – so high-rainfall zone, the wheat-sheep

zone, which is responsible for most of agriculture production, and the pastoral zone.”

Dr Greenville said pastoral zones increased by more than 130 percent, high-rainfall zones by more than 470 percent and wheat-sheep zones by more than 180 percent.

“In the high-rainfall zones, $9000 a hectare is incredible,” he said.

“It’s a productive asset that is expected to yield a return for people who are buying it.

“It’s something you use year-onyear, day-in-day-out and so it needs to generate income.

“When you think of $9000 a hectare, it needs to generate a reasonable return for people who are buying it to be a worthwhile investment.”

Exceptional growth

Dr Greenville said the past three years of exceptional growth coincided with a period where debt was relatively cheap.

“Because we were in a low interest-rate environment we saw, which is unusual when compared to the past 20 to 30 years, an unusual combination of really high rainfall, good conditions and high prices,” he said.

“In particular, the low-interest rate environment is quickly dissipating on all of us and we’re seeing this moderation in prices.

“They remain high, but impor-

tantly we’re seeing a moderation of expectations that favourable seasonal conditions will continue, so it’s quite likely those pressures will come down and change this trajectory.

“It would be quite extraordinary for the trajectory to continue.”

Dr Greenville said the index would be able to provide a breakdown nationally, by state and also by region.

“We will be looking to update the index regularly,” he said.

“We have an ongoing program of work that will try to put this to use.

“Once we build up more data and have more observations, we can have a further regional breakdown – I think it will be useful if we can go further.

“At the moment we have spent all this time developing the index and we are confident it’s a sound representative value of Australian farmland, but now we want to find answers to questions about why prices have grown, what are the key drivers and what are some changes we are seeing.

“We do know there is a fair bit of variability across states as well, with South Australia, for example, being a bit of a standout, which is not related just to statistics.

“So there are a few questions that remain to be answered.”

MAKING HISTORY:

Nhill siblings Kirsty Pollock and Josh Bone are the first brothersister pair to take out the open shearing and wool handling state championships.

Siblings win way to nationals

Nhill brother-sister duo Josh Bone and Kirsty Pollock are the first siblings to win open shearing and wool handling state championships in the same year.

Sports Shear Victoria category winners will attend national championships in October, in individual and team events.

The state championships were on the Sunday of the Australian Sheep and Wool Show at Bendigo, following the North Central Victorian Sports Shear Association Northern Shears Shearing and Wool Handling competition on the Saturday.

Mrs Pollock said entry into the state championships was determined by success at competitions in the year prior, while the north central show marked the first opportunity to gain points for next year’s state championships.

She said she first started competing

seven years ago to support her brother and it was a goal for them to compete in the open competition.

“At nationals, there’s a team event with the top two shearers and top two wool handlers. The open team get blazers and it’s quite professional,” Mrs Pollack said.

“I have always wanted to wear the blazer with Josh. We’ve been told we are the first brother and sister to win in the same year, which is pretty cool.”

Mrs Pollock said her best friend Marlene Whittle finished second in the open wool handling and would join her at nationals in Jamestown, South Australia.

“The two winners of the novice wool handling competition were wool handlers I mentored throughout the year at shows, so that was also a highlight to see them succeed,” she said.

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A sense of peace

BY ABBY WALTER

Beck Walker, of Dimboola, hopes to bring the same joy she receives by spending time with her miniature Australian goats to others as she creates a business based around her beloved animals.

Mrs Walker has been breeding miniature goats for four years and recently established Tiny Goats and Co from her and husband Stu’s farm.

“If I am having a bad day, I go out and sit with them and feel a sense of peace and happiness. I thought, I shouldn’t keep it all to myself, I want other people to experience it as well,” she said.

“To start, we will host events such as cuddle sessions and yoga for children and adults. We want to start welcoming disability groups as well.

“I will take goats to events such as parties and daycare centres, so it will be a mobile service.

“The babies love people and children, so we thought we’d start doing a couple of little events and see how it goes, and if people are even interested.

“We have done one trial with some friends and it went well, but the babies were a touch young, so once they are a little bit older they will want to jump all over people and want all the attention.”

Mrs Walker said in the future she wanted to explore animal therapy for people, with her goats.

“I need to do more study first before we go down that road, but it is amazing the effect interacting with animals can have on people’s mental health,” she said.

“We always tend to have very calm goats, but we do spend a lot of time with them.”

Mrs Walker said it had been a dream of hers for 10 years to own a miniature goat stud.

She said there were not many miniature goat studs in western Victoria, and any that were established were small.

“I purchased 10 acres in Riverside by myself with a plan to create a small stud, and then I met my husband who lived on a farm. Anyone who meets a farmer knows you move to the farm,” she said.

“I sold off my land and moved. It has worked out because it means I can have a lot more goats because I have a lot more room.

“I originally thought it would be a nice hobby, but it’s turned into more now that we show them and are growing this business.

“I am lucky to be able to spend so much time with them.”

Female miniature Australian goats grow up to 57 centimetres and male miniature Australian goats to 60 centimetres.

Mrs Walker said the female goats were bred to show and the best would go into her breeding program, while the boys would be desexed and sold as wethers for pets.

“We spend a lot of time with them and make

sure they are super friendly so they can go to hobby farms as a pair,” she said.

“I would never sell just one – they are very social beings, so they need to go as pairs.

“The wethers make beautiful pets, they’re very gentle beings.”

Mrs Walker’s current baby goats are between two and three weeks old and have been part of a trial with friends to simulate an event and also on an excursion to the Dimboola Store for some socialising.

“This is our first drop of kids for the year, born early July, and then we will have one at the end of August and hopefully one in December as well,” Mrs Walker said.

“We should have babies for September and Christmas school holidays, so hopefully we have timed that well.

“Even then, these babies now will still be really small in a few months.”

‘They’re fussy’

Mrs Walker said despite popular opinion, goats did not make good lawnmowers.

“I hear all the time that someone is after a couple of goats for lawnmowers, but they’re fussy,” she said.

“They only eat certain weeds; they are not good at eating down grass – they like eating trees and bark.

“We feed them a good quality vetch hay and the girls get a grain mix every couple of days.”

Mrs Walker is a witness to every birth of her goats and was excited to find a lot of twins had been born this year.

“When they’re due I have them in their birthing shed where I have a video camera so I can watch on my phone to see when they’re in labour,” she said.

“I sit with them through the whole labour and then I get the babies on the bottle.

“Often first timers will have a single and then ones who have birthed before will have multiples, but we had heaps of first timers this year and only one single, with the rest twins or triplets.

“There’s a lot of wives’ tales about how to get multiples and girls or boys, but I don’t think it makes any difference, it’s a luck of the draw –and as long as they’re healthy, we are happy.”

Mrs Walker said she was excited to start welcoming people to her farm where she was establishing play areas for the goats and events, with lots to climb on and explore.

“There’s going to be three areas – one area with no goats, so if there are people or children who are anxious or overwhelmed they do not have to be in with the goats, they can pat them from the other side,” she said.

“I would love to work with any little business who wanted to collaborate with art classes or wine tastings.”

GROWING BUSINESS: Dimboola’s Beck Walker is trialling goat yoga and cuddle sessions, parties and events from her new business Tiny Goats and Co. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Expanding ag opportunities

Longerenong College is partnering with Bendigo TAFE to expand opportunities for agriculture students to further their qualifications.

The partnership agreement enables students studying eligible agriculture courses at Bendigo TAFE to transition to an Advanced Diploma of Agribusiness Management or Applied Diploma of Agronomy at Longerenong College.

It will provide an opportunity for students to complete their first year of further study closer to home and move to Longerenong College to experience ‘Life at Longy’ through the residential immersive experience.

Longerenong College general manager

Avril Hogan said college graduates had an employment rate higher than 95 percent immediately after graduation.

She said many students received between five and 10 job offers in their final year of study.

“This agreement between the two educational institutions will provide a longterm benefit to students who would like to further their studies in agriculture, agribusiness and agronomy,” Ms Hogan said.

“A qualification from Longerenong College allows grads to step into roles with responsibility and seniority and, in many

cases, significant autonomy. With the 1100-plus hectare broadacre farm, 1000plus sheep and 40-plus cattle herd, the study experience moves fluidly between the lecture theatre and the paddocks.”

Ms Hogan said the college was committed to providing quality education across a broad geographic area and a wide range of programs, to support students and the industries that required graduates.

“We want to maximise access to the facility at Longerenong College, with its commercially-operating farm, accommodation facility that can house more than 150 students between dorms and newly-built share houses, and campus social life,” she said.

Bendigo TAFE acting chief executive Graham Fryer said partnerships were critical to improving opportunities for students to continue studies, while gaining valuable real-life and on-the-job experiences.

“By partnering with Longerenong College, our students will be able to stay closer to home and work for longer while still pursuing further qualifications and the highest standard of practical training,” he said.

“We look forward to seeing the skills and knowledge they gain, come back to the region to help boost our local agricultural industry.”

Better weed control for

EXPERIENCE: Longerenong College students attended the Australian Sheep and Wool Show at Bendigo as student judges on the first day of the event. The show is the largest of its type in the world, where each year up to 3000 sheep from across Australia, of more than 30 breeds, compete in the show ring. The event was on July 15, 16 and 17 and will return to Bendigo in 2024 on July 19, 20 and 21.

Early signs of Wimmera crop disease

Agriculture Victoria is encouraging farmers to look for emerging signs of diseases in crops.

Senior cereal pathologist Hari Dadu said in a regular season, signs of disease on crops would not be seen until July or August, however, diseases had already been found in crops this year in the Wimmera.

“Stripe rust on volunteer wheat plants was noted in April, a septoria infection in wheat was found

in May and a seedling infection of net form of net blotch in barley was identified in early-sown crops in June,” he said.

“Above-average spring rain last year followed by rain this season has helped to carry over high levels of disease in stubble and on volunteer plants creating conducive conditions for disease to spread.

“Growers will be monitoring their crops, but we also encourage them

to check disease resistance ratings for the varieties they have sown using an up-to-date guide.”

Dr Dadu said if disease was present, it could be controlled with a well-timed fungicide application. Growers can download a StripeRustWM app to manage their fungicide application program. A cereal disease guide is available via agriculture.vic.gov.au/cerealdisease-guide

Wimmera studs enjoy show success

BY ABBY WALTER

Wimmera sheep studs once again saw success at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show at Bendigo earlier this month.

Mertex Texel and White Suffolk Stud, of Antwerp, won prizes across three categories.

For its White Suffolk sheep, Mertex won supreme exhibit, most successful exhibitor, grand champion ram, senior champion ram, junior champion ram, reserve senior champion ram, champion ewe, reserve champion ewe, sires progeny group and a group of one ram and two ewes.

In the Texel category, Mertex won supreme exhibit, most successful exhibitor, champion ram, champion ewe, reserve champion ewe, sires progeny group and a group of one ram and two ewes.

Mertex also won supreme interbreed short wool group and reserve champion prime lamb exhibit.

Stud principal Tim Jorgensen said he was extremely happy with the result.

“We could not have done better than that and we weren’t really expecting to do that well, either,” he said.

“We’re not doing anything different; it just shows us we are on track with our breeding program and keep improving year-on-year.”

Mr Jorgensen said it was a great event for exhibitors and attendees.

“We received some good interest for

our ram sale later in the year, which is good to see,” he said.

Aurora Park Hampshire Down Stud, of St Helens Plains, won reserve champion ram, group of one ram and two ewes, pair of ewes under 1.5 years and pair of rams under 1.5 years for its Hampshire Downs, and best novice sheep and novice ram under 1.5 years for its Border Leicesters.

Belbourie Merino and Poll Merino Stud, of Marnoo, won ewe show-

for all POLY REPAIRS

ing not more than two permanent teeth, reserve junior champion ewe and ewe showing no permanent teeth for its fine-medium and strong-wool Merinos and, ewe showing not more than two permanent teeth, champion March-shorn ewe and reserve champion ewe for its fine-medium polls.

Glendonald Merino Stud, of Nhill, won champion Victorian-bred ram, ram showing six or more permanent teeth, reserve champion August-shorn

“We’re not doing anything different; it just shows us we are on track with our breeding program and keep improving year-on-year”

– Tim Jorgensen

Kan-B Colours, of Glenlofty, won sire’s progeny group, comeback-crossbred ram fleece and comeback-crossbred fine ewe or wether fleece for its black and coloured sheep and fleeces.

Glenpaen Merino and Poll Merino Stud, of Brimpaen, won champion Victorian-bred ram, champion Victorian-bred ewe, ram showing not more than two permanent teeth, reserve champion March-shorn ram, ewe showing no permanent teeth, reserve champion March-shorn ewe for its fine-wool Merinos.

ram, champion Victorian-bred ram, ram showing no permanent teeth, champion March-shorn ram, reserve champion ram and reserve junior champion ram for its medium and strong-will merinos.

Glenlee Park Border Leicester Stud, of Gerang Gerung, won champion ewe, a pair of shorn sheep one ram and one ewe, pair of ewes under 1.5 years, and ewe under 1.5 years for its Border Leicesters.

Mount Yulong Poll Merino Stud, of Telangatuk East, won ewe showing no permanent teeth and ram showing four permanent teeth or more for its fine-medium-wool polls.

Oakbank Merino and Poll Merino Stud, of Gre Gre North, won ewe showing not more than four permanent teeth and champion August-shorn ewe for its fine-wool Poll Merinos and Victorian Merino Pair of the Year.

Wyndara Black Sheep, of Stawell, won ram and ewe or wether Polwarth fleece and lambswool merino and Polwarth for its black and coloured fleeces.

CHAMPIONS: Basil, Heather and Tim Jorgensen showcase Mertex winners at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show, in the supreme interbreed short wool group that included the reserve interbreed prime lamb exhibit.

Metaphor rewritten

There is an oft-used metaphor, ‘When China sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold’. That is certainly the case for the Australian wool industry at the moment.

China’s economy is struggling, as evidenced by its youth unemployment rate at more than 21 percent. Australia’s is just 7.6 percent.

Little wonder the demand for woollen clothes from China’s middle class has waned as everyone tightens their belt. But that’s not the topic I want to tackle today.

I’d like to modify that metaphor to: ‘When Russia stamps its foot, the echoes reverberate around the globe’. In the past week Russia has refused to renew the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which was negotiated 12 months ago between the United Nations, Turkey, Russia and Ukraine.

At the time the UN said: “The resumption of Ukrainian grain exports via the Black Sea amid the ongoing war is ‘a beacon of hope’ in a world that desperately needs it. The UN plan, which is linked to efforts to ensure Russian food and fertiliser reach global markets, supports the stabilisation of spiralling food prices worldwide and stave off famine, affecting millions. The initiative specifically allows for commercial food and fertiliser, including ammonia, exports from three key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea – Odesa, Chornomorsk and Yuzhny-Pivdennyi.”

It’s worth noting Russia’s belligerence is strategic.

The Northern Hemisphere harvest is in full swing. The Black Sea area has seen exponential growth in the past few decades from a minor producer of grain mainly for domestic consumption, to producing about a third of the world’s wheat.

The United States International Aid Agency published the following statistics on the success

with Libby Price

of the Black Sea Grain Initiative since the first ship went out in August:

• More than 380 ships have departed to some 37 countries, transporting more than 8.6-million tons of cargo carrying life-saving food exports from Ukraine ports;

• More than two-million metric tons of food have been exported directly to countries most vulnerable to severe hunger, such as Kenya, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Yemen, Ethiopia and Somalia; and

• More than one-million metric tons of wheat have been shipped from Ukraine to low and lower-middle income countries through the Black Sea Grain Initiative. That is the equivalent of nearly three-billion loaves of bread. Those countries will now be left without wheat. Grain prices are already reacting and will be out of reach for countries with struggling economies. Analysts are predicting a roller coaster ride for the foreseeable future.

While the United Nations is offering shipping companies special insurance policies to try to get grain out of the Black Sea, there will be great reluctance to take the chance. Prior to the deal, several ships were hit with some civilian casualties. As for Russia, it’s not going to attack its own ships, but it will no doubt be exporting its wheat to take advantage of the higher prices, while the rest of the world watches with trepidation.

Exchange sets new records

Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange experienced an increase in stock purchased in the past financial year, compared with the year prior.

Commercial enterprises co-ordinator

Paul Christopher said lamb and sheep numbers were up almost 18,000 head in the 2022-23 financial year, compared with 2021-22.

“The 2021-22 financial year was horribly low, so while we are up, we are still traditionally low,” he said.

“There’s a growing trend of selling direct to abattoirs. I am unsure exactly why numbers have increased, I’m just glad they have.”

In the past 12 months, the stock exchange has reached high and low records.

There were 21,500 head of stock yarded at Horsham on November 9, which was the largest yarding since 2018.

That was in stark contrast to July 20, when 438 head of stock were yarded – one of Horsham’s smallest winter offerings.

Mr Christopher said while abattoirs were technically full, they still were not able to meet supply and demand levels.

“It seems silly to be still talking about

the effects of COVID-19, but some abattoirs are 20 percent down on staff, so they can’t get the kill numbers to meet demand,” he said.

“In line with demand, although prices have dropped in the saleyards, they have not dropped in the supermarkets to the same level.

“Prices are down. I have seen good lambs sell for $130 to $140 when they should have made $200, but I have seen the other side to that as well.

“It is swings and roundabouts sometimes. We rely on 70 percent export, so if our global partners are struggling with dollars that makes a big difference, too.”

Mr Christopher said current forecasts for the 2023 spring were positive.

“There is talk that lambing could be upward of 130 and 150 percent this year,” he said.

“I have heard predictions farmers would not be hanging onto lambs like last year because they didn’t make any more money from doing that, so we could see high numbers of five to sixmonth-old lambs this spring.

“What prices will do however, I do not know. I don’t believe they will be as high as last year.

“I’m quite interested to see what is going to happen in the next six weeks.”

TRAINING SESSIONS: Renowned working dog trainer Joe Spicer, of Hamilton, works with Jude Ross and her kelpie Squizzy at a working dog training weekend at Quantong. Mr Spicer said a variety of people and dogs attended sessions on Saturday and Sunday to develop skills. He said he focused on getting owners to connect with their dogs, understand the dogs’ motivations and learn how to better communicate with their dogs.

Horsham introduces alternating sale times

Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange is introducing alternating start times for its weekly sheep and lamb sales from next month.

From Wednesday next week, every second market will move to an afternoon format starting at 12.30pm.

Sales on alternative weeks will remain at a 9.30am start time.

Horsham Rural City Council commercial enterprises co-ordinator Paul

Christopher said the change followed consultation with livestock agents.

“The later start time was tried last year and a better outcome for vendors was achieved,” he said.

“By moving to afternoon sales every second week, it means that we are not running all of our sales at the same time as Hamilton, which starts at 9am.

“On the other hand, the 9.30am

sales every other week won’t clash with the fortnightly market days at Warracknabeal, which are in the afternoon.”

Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange market schedule is August 2, 16 and 20, September 12 and 27 at 12.30pm and August 9 and 23, and September 6 and 20 at 9.30am.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Growing showcase

Formore than 40 years, the Mallee Machinery Field Days has been a feature of the region’s agriculture calendar.

In 2023, the 43rd iteration of the event will welcome about 350 exhibitors and more than 8000 people to the showcase.

Speed Lions Club has organised Mallee Machinery Field Days since its inception in 1979.

The field days site is located two kilometres south of Speed, on the Sunraysia Highway.

The first field days event ran in a paddock with 39 dealers exhibiting, focusing on broadacre agricultural machinery and equipment.

The event was hosted at a variety of temporary sites in the early years, however the logistics behind erecting and removing amenities each year was a big task.

Warm welcome to Speed

BY ABBY WALTER

Aniconic feature of the Mallee agriculture calendar returns to Speed next week for a jampacked two days of connection and showcasing machinery.

Mallee Machinery Field Days president Chris Monaghan said while it took a lot of work to establish the event each year, it was exciting to return again in 2023.

“It’s a great event for the public and the exhibitors, too, because they get a chance to get machinery there and show it off,” he said.

“I am looking forward to seeing the machinery – what’s new and what is bigger. Most of our exhibitors are returning. We are waiting on confirmation from a few, but we also have new exhibitors on board, so it will certainly be as big as last year’s event.”

In 2022, the field days returned for the first time since 2019 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Mr Monaghan said there was a good roll-up from the public last year and he was hopeful to see similar attendance numbers again.

“I think when the year starts well, people enjoy going for a drive, checking out different countryside on their way and coming to the field days,” he said.

“I can’t see a reason why everyone won’t show up and support us again.

“The Mallee is looking pretty good, and I assume the Wimmera is doing alright so far this year, too.

“We’re probably looking for a little bit more rain – it would be great if it rained at the weekend and then there were sunny days on Wednesday and Thursday.”

The field days is a major fundraiser for Speed Lions Club, whose members form the field days committee.

Mr Monaghan said the club donated more than $40,000 each year to community and sporting clubs who support the event.

“Different Lions clubs, sporting clubs and schools come to the event and work on the barbecues, sell food and drinks, and work the gate, so we support them in turn,” he said.

“That’s before we also donate to charities such as the Heart Foundation, Stroke Foundation or Royal Children’s Hospital.”

Mr Monaghan said businesses in neighbouring towns also benefited from the event.

“I know accommodation in Ouyen, Patchewollock, Nandaly, Sea Lake, Lascelles and Hopetoun is booked out each year and people also stay in Swan Hill and Mildura,” he said.

“Our circular set-up means it’s easy for the public to navigate as they do each ring, getting to look at both sides as they go, meaning they cover a lot of ground with just one lap. We’re more than happy with how it is arranged and has been for almost 40 years”

– Chris Monaghan, right

“The whole area benefits when you take in the accommodation and then when they go back to where they stay, they have to eat and drink.

“I don’t know the exact figure of what the event brings into the communities, but it would be a lot of money.”

Mr Monaghan said considering the committee comprised 24 members, it was a good effort.

“It’s such a big and important event for what it brings to the area, and we aren’t a big committee,” he said.

“Leading into the event we set up the site and take the machinery off trucks with telehandlers and cranes, making sure it is all in the right spot.

“We had a working bee on Friday week ago, and from then on we will be flat out setting up.”

Mr Monaghan said exhibitors spoke highly of the event.

“They believe it is one of the best field days events, so that’s a compliment to us and makes us feel good when we put the hard work in,” he said.

“Plus, our circular set-up means it’s easy for the public to navigate as they do each ring, getting to look at both sides as they go, meaning they cover a lot of ground with just one lap.

“We’re more than happy with how it is arranged and has been for almost 40 years.”

Six years after the first event, a permanent site was chosen between Speed and Turriff.

The main office on the site is the historic Speed Railway Station. Other permanent buildings and amenities have been built as the event has grown.

A major feature of the Mallee Machinery Field Days is its iconic circular design.

The field days are a fundraising event for Speed Lions Club, which donates proceeds of the event each year to other community clubs, charities and families in need.

The club comprises 24 members, who organise exhibitors, guest speakers, demonstrations and activities. Members also prepare and clean up the site.

Local sporting and social clubs join members for the two-day event to provide food and drinks to patrons.

Key information

Date: August 2 and 3, 2023.

Time: 8.30am to 5pm.

Location: 2574 Sunraysia Hwy, Speed VIC 3488, two kilometres south of Speed.

Admission: $15 and children under 15 years no cost.

Facilities: On-site parking and toilets, food and refreshment stalls, first aid and Victoria Police, phone and mobile phone service and EFTPOS facilities.

More information: mmfd.com. au

Connecting communities

BY ABBY WALTER

AgriFutures Rural Women’s Victoria 2022 award winner Kimberley Furness will attend Mallee Machinery Field Days to speak about her entrepreneurial journey.

The Bendigo-based founder and editor of OAK Magazine will attend the field days for the first time and said it was exciting to be able to connect with people, share her story and build communities.

Ms Furness will speak about how a year-10 work experience placement at a rural newspaper led to her publishing a national, award-winning magazine.

She will also highlight how people’s experiences to date can lead to the current moment and provide skills and capacity for growth and excellence.

“I’m passionate about women in business, especially in rural and regional Australia, and love hearing and swapping stories,” Ms Furness said.

“There are so many remarkable businesses built in the bush, and this is exactly what we showcase through OAK

“It gives other people a sense of, ‘if they can do it, so can I’.”

Ms Furness said field days were valuable because they brought communities together.

“Living in rural areas can be quite isolating,” she said.

“There is an opportunity for farm-

ers to learn about new technology in the industry and attend demonstrations and seminars.

“For school children, they are seeing the myriad of career opportunities in agriculture.

“Women in rural and regional areas make an enormous contribution to the social and economic well-being of their communities.

“Events such as Mallee Machinery Field Days are an opportunity to come together to connect, learn, be inspired and support one another.”

Ms Furness said she was honoured to be asked to attend the field days as a special guest.

“It will be exciting to travel to that part of rural Victoria. I have heard nothing but good things about the field days, so I am looking forward to it,” she said.

“I recently converted a van into a mobile podcast studio where I can record episodes for ‘A Friend of Mine’ podcast.

“I’ve put the van through its paces at field days in NSW and Victoria.

“It draws a few curious looks and is certainly a great conversation starter.

“I plan to record a couple of episodes at Mallee Machinery Field Days.

“At times, there will be the sound of nature, machinery or a PA system in the background, but this just builds on the story and hopefully our listeners feel like they’re sitting in the van with us.”

SPECIAL GUEST: 2022 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Victoria award winner and OAK Magazine founder and editor Kimberley Furness is this year’s guest speaker at Mallee Machinery Field Days.

Forecast for sunny skies

Mallee Machinery Field Days organisers can expect their hard work to pay off with sunny skies ahead for the 2023 event.

The long-range forecast for Speed on August 2 and 3 indicates rain is unlikely leading into the event or on the days of the event.

The forecast shows there will be a high of 17 degrees and a low of six degrees on Wednesday, with 12-kilometre northerly winds and a four percent chance of rain.

On Thursday, the high temperature is forecast to be 17 degrees with a low of six degrees, with five-kilometre north-westerly winds and a four percent chance of rain.

Elders Weather recorded 150 millimetres of rain at Speed to date since January.

Australian Bureau of Meteorology data showed the average rain for Speed, between January and July, was 167.7 millimetres.

Sunny skies predicted for next week are in line with a current El Niño alert for Australia.

Australian Bureau of Meteorology senior climatologist Catherine Ganter said El Niño increased the chance of drier conditions for eastern Australia during winter and spring.

“El Niño summers also tend to have warmer days across northern and south-eastern Australia as well as parts of the southwest,” she said.

“El Niño events also increase the risk of extreme temperatures such as heatwaves and hotter days.”

Picture: CHLOE SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY

Rewarding role for worthy cause

BY ABBY WALTER

Volunteers

are an integral element of the success and continuation of the Mallee Machinery Field Days and have been since its early days.

Speed Lions Club members work together each year to bring the field days to life at a site near Speed.

Phil Down has been a committee member for almost 30 years, but was volunteering at the event before then.

“My family was first involved with the field days when I was about 12 years old,” he said.

“I’ve been a committee member for 27 years, but I was volunteering at working bees before then.

“It’s a good event – it’s beneficial for the community financially and it is a good social get-together.”

Mr Down said he witnessed massive changes in the agriculture industry, and consequently the field days, during his involvement.

“The uptake of technology, precision agriculture, GPS, targeted inputs and direct drilling have made farming more efficient,” he said.

“That uptake coincides well with the field days because it is the perfect opportunity for us to introduce companies to farmers so they can see new technologies.

“Farming is a dynamic industry that adapts to change and there’s always something new.”

Mr Down said the 2023 event would

“As we get a lot of exhibitors from New South Wales and South Australia due to our location, some didn’t come last year due to a risk of lockdowns – and for small businesses the risk of contracting COVID and having to close their business for a week or more,” he said.

“While it was a fantastic event, it wasn’t quite back to normal – so we are looking forward to this year.

“The two years off gave us the

still see some positives.” Mr Down said more than 40 years since the first Mallee Machinery Field Days, the event remained relevant.

“I have been having discussions about the purpose of the field days in today’s society,” he said.

“When they began, field days were needed to compare machinery and talk to dealers – now people can research and find that information online.

“We still think people want to see the

“It’s also an opportunity to learn, as you cannot research what you don’t know.

“While the industry and society have changed, field days are about gathering information, researching and social networking and that’s why they are still relevant in agriculture today.”

Mark Roberts is a third-generation volunteer with the Mallee Machinery Field Days.

He said his grandfather was a found

– Phil Down

“In the early days, my grandfather’s property was one of the sites used for the field days,” he said.

“It used to be shared around the local farms before a permanent site was chosen once the event grew.

“I live 10 kilometres from Speed, so I will be here for a long time and endeavour to volunteer for as long as I can.”

Mr Roberts was inducted to the field days committee before last year’s event.

“Not only is it a great community event, but it brings in a lot of money for community groups and people in the area,” he said.

“I enjoy seeing the machinery, technology and products on display, especially in our backyard.

“Each year it gets bigger, so it will be interesting to see what is there –hopefully it is another success and everyone turns out for it.”

Mr Roberts said while there were big weeks leading into the event and after to clean up the site, it was for a worthy cause.

“The money we raise supports local families, sporting clubs and communi

HANDS UP: Speed Lions Club members organise the Mallee Machinery Field Days annually and are looking forward to the 43rd iteration of the iconic agriculture event.

“We still think people want to see the machinery in person and build a relationship between clients and dealers”

Region’s lifeblood

Withmore than 350 exhibitors and crowds of more than 8000 people expected across two days, the Mallee Machinery Field Days is the largest event in the Yarriambiack shire and attracts visitors and exhibiting businesses from across the country.

This stimulus extends past the field days, throughout our towns and local economy and provides a great fundraising opportunity for our local community groups and businesses.

As the main industry within our region, agriculture is the lifeblood of our small towns.

When farmers and the ag sector are doing well, our communities thrive.

Last year proved to be a tumultuous year for both agriculture and local government, with October rain events playing havoc on roads and harvest.

The wet start to 2023 brings equal parts of promise and a nervous wait for what lies ahead at harvest.

I hope that this season is a successful one for all concerned.

On behalf of Yarriambiack Shire Council I’d like to congratulate the Speed Lions Club for its continued efforts and hard work to provide the agricultural industry the two-day event that provides such an economic injection to the region.

For council, the Mallee Machinery Field Days is a vital link in our community engagement efforts.

I encourage all patrons to visit us on site where I will be accompanied by my fellow councillors and staff to answer questions and share ideas on projects, issues and ideas that impact our community.

We will have copies of the updated council plan, 2023 key actions list and the road hierarchy that will be out for public feedback.

Council staff will also be on hand to discuss

a waste resource, environment and climate change strategy and action plan, and waste survey that will be distributed to residents in the near future.

Our ‘Words on Wheels’ van will also be on site, jam packed with fun activities, new release books and information on how to use the municipality’s mobile library service.

We also welcome Rural Northwest Health Service staff who will be completing on-site health checks and promoting their wide range of services and programs.

The council acknowledges the hard work and volunteer hours that go in behind the scenes to deliver these events and wish the committee, exhibitors and patrons a wonderful Mallee Machinery Field Days.

See you at Speed!

– Kylie Zanker Yarriambiack Shire Mayor

Important calendar event

TheMallee Machinery Field Days is always a special event each year on the Mallee calendar.

They bring our farmers, machinery dealers, retailers, agronomists, stock agents, men, women and children from rural communities together.

Farmers work incredibly hard and at times keep to themselves. This is a great opportunity to have a yarn, kick some tyres and relax for a day or two.

There will be plenty of innovation on display after recent decent seasons for most, the ride made a little rougher by higher input costs such as fertilisers and chemicals.

The innovation of the chartered members of the Speed Lions Club in starting this event back in 1979 continues to benefit the community, building it up to now be one of the biggest days on the calendar for north-west Victoria.

The Mallee Machinery Field Days have been a great fundraiser for the Speed Lions Club and many other local organisations – providing a broad community benefit.

Country shows and field days throughout regional Australia are an important part of the social fabric of rural communities.

Nationwide, at last count, field days were putting $1 billion into the national economy, visited by more than six million Australians and supported by 50,000 volunteers.

That’s why, when the Coalition was in government, during the pandemic we put $39 million into reimbursing shows and field days that had to cancel

due to restrictions. It’s been very hard to keep some country shows going, so it’s vital that we get out and support the field days and the volunteers who have endured great strain in recent years to keep the show on the road.

If there’s one thing the people of the Mallee do well, it’s agriculture.

I recently brought Shadow Trade and Tourism Minister Kevin Hogan to the Mallee, and during his horticulturefocused visit across the northern edge of the electorate, he noted that the region was an ‘economic powerhouse’.

The Mallee electorate contributes al-

most $10 billion worth of Gross Regional Product to Australia’s GDP, with close to $4 billion of that coming from the Wimmera and Southern Mallee region alone. We might not have the population of Melbourne, but we more than pull our weight.

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

– Dr Anne Webster, Federal Member for Mallee

TheMallee Machinery Field Days are a wonderful opportunity to have all of our food and fibre producers come together with key industry stakeholders and suppliers.

Being a product of the land myself, I am passionate about promoting the agriculture industry in our region, which is vast and feeding the world with grain, meat, nuts, fruit and vegetables.

I believe our food and fibre producers have been underestimated and overlooked for far too long and it is my priority to make sure we get the credit we deserve and that you know how highly valued you are.

Having an event such as the Mallee field days allows producers from our tri-state region to come together and get first-hand knowledge of new technology, innovation and farming practises from local, national and inter-

national suppliers. Our region is leading the way in farming technology and I have been fortunate enough to meet with the producers and witness first-hand the innovations being used.

For generations, we have been working this harsh land and through events such as field days, trials and investment into technology we now see the evolution of farming in our region and across the world.

We’ve managed to adapt to changing weather patterns and landscapes through sharing of knowledge at events such as the Mallee field days.

I love a field day and look forward to attending this year’s Mallee Machinery Field Days and hope to catch up with you for a chat during the event.

– Jade Benham, State Member for Mildura

August 2 & 3, 2023 at Speed

‘Genuine country market’

BY SEAN O’CONNELL

Amuch-celebrated showcase of the latest in farm machinery continues to attract exhibitors from across the Wimmera and Mallee.

About 350 exhibitors and a serious customer base will explore the Mallee Machinery Field Days’ unique circular layout at Speed next week.

Smallaire general manager Jock Baker said the business had been exhibiting at the field days for the past 28 years, garnering lots of interaction from visitors.

He said Smallaire manufactured a wide array of products concerning air movement, and expected air seeder components, high-pressure blowers and grain aeration components to be popular at this year’s event.

“We find the people at Speed are genuine buyers – Speed, for us, is the go-to field days,” he said.

Mr Baker said the cross-section of visitors to Speed meant it was a ‘genuine country farmer market’.

“Farmers treat this as their buying field days,” he said.

“Ninety percent of people who travel here are interested in our products.”

Emmetts Horsham branch manager Derek Reid said the Mallee field days offered Emmetts a ‘different dynamic’ to other field days.

“Speed has been the boutique field days for large ag,” he said.

“That’s in comparison to the Wimmera Machinery Field Days, which showcases items including smaller

BIG BUSINESS: Horsham branch manager Derek Reid shows off a second-hand John Deere X-9 combine harvester, which he said would be popular at Emmetts’ exhibit at the 2023 Mallee Machinery Field Days at Speed. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

retail goods, tools, stock and different machinery.”

Mr Reid said Emmetts, whose Swan Hill location was most prominent at the event, had a considerable

customer-base to the south and east of Speed. “We do like supporting the event out of our Wimmera branches as well,” he said.

“A lot of Wimmera farmers and

El Niño alert

Whileinternational weather agencies have declared an El Niño, the Bureau of Meteorology confirmed Australia remains in a state of El Niño alert.

The United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Centre declared El Niño conditions were present earlier this month.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency has also declared an El Niño.

Australian Bureau of Meteorology senior climatologist Catherine Ganter said when El Niño alert criteria was met in the past, an El Niño event developed about 70 percent of the time.

“While we have tropical Pacific Ocean temperatures exceeding El Niño levels, we also need to see a shift in the tropical atmosphere for us to announce an El Niño event,” she said.

“We have not yet seen persistent changes in wind, word or broad scale pressure patterns towards an El Niñolike state.”

An El Niño watch was declared in Australia in March, and an El Niño alert followed in June.

Ms Ganter said there was no single definitive index for the El Niño Southern Oscillation, ENSO.

“It’s a complex phenomenon that describes changes in the Pacific Ocean and the atmosphere above,” she said.

customers head along to Speed.”

The 2023 Mallee Machinery Field Days, on August 2 and 3, can found off the Sunraysia Highway just south of Speed.

“In general, meteorological agencies have tailored their services around the impact of El Niño or La Niña for their country and the Bureau considers its service best suited for Australia.

“The US, Japan and Australia have slightly different metrics for monitoring and declaring ENSO events.”

Boon for district service providers

BY SEAN O’CONNELL

Accommodation

providers and businesses in neighbouring towns are some of the biggest beneficiaries of the annual Mallee Machinery Field Days.

With people travelling far and wide to reach Speed for the two-day showcase, hotel and motel staff in nearby towns said venues were always booked out for the event, with visitors sometimes booking a year in advance.

Hopetoun Community Hotel Motel manager

Steve McCullough said his 13 rooms were rebooked before the end of the previous year.

He said he would likely to be able to book out an extra 30 rooms – should they have them.

“We’re booked out and have been for more than six months,” he said.

Mr McCullough said the business, about 50 kilometres from Speed, was also busy serving meals and drinks to patrons throughout the two days.

“Last year was very busy on the Tuesday and Wednesday nights,” he said.

He said the vast increase in traffic through Hopetoun during the field days had a positive effect on the broader area.

“The whole town benefits in some way from it,” he said.

Marlene Graham is owner of the Minapre Hotel at Lascelles, located about 26 kilometres from Speed.

She said beds were also booked out months in advance, with demand during the field days causing the business to search for extra staff.

“We’ve brought in staff from around town –

“I usually turn away between 20 and 30 people. Generally, you don’t find any accommodation in Ouyen when the field days are on”

people who are available and family members to help us out,” she said.

Part-owner and manager of the Hilltop Hotel in Ouyen, Tamika Jacobs said her rooms were usually occupied by customers from the previous year, who immediately re-booked their accom modation.

“I usually turn away between 20 and 30 people. Generally, you don’t find any accommodation in Ouyen when the field days are on,” she said. Ouyen is located within 40 kilometres from Speed.

Mrs Jacobs said other businesses in the town also benefitted from the extra traffic the field days generated.

“When they stay here, it translates to our food businesses, including the night before when they are setting up,” she said.

“The other motel in town is full and the pub is almost full.”

Mrs Jacobs said the August event came at a good time for the business, in what was an oth erwise fairly quiet period before visitor numbers increased from about October as warmer weath er arrived.

Patrons can also access camping facilities at neighbouring towns of Tempy, Lascelles, Woomelang, Ouyen, Sea Lake, Hopetoun and Nandaly.

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Captivating stories

Withthree captivating seasons firmly under its belt, full of candid stories from farmers and rural locals across the Wimmera and southern Mallee, podcast series ‘Farmer Wants a Healthy Life’ is set to launch its gripping fourth season.

Aimed at farming families and rural communities, ‘Farmer’, as the podcast series is fondly known, has been making a moving impact on listeners from across the region.

Season four will bring more captivating stories, with 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 affects on the family; bio-dynamic farming; and farm fitness.

Podcast interviewees also shared their inspiration and drive to creating their own organisations and support groups to help their fellow rural mates regain or maintain a healthy, meaningful and fulfilling lifestyle.

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, and to

start a conversation about health and wellbeing issues unique to people ‘out here in the bush’.

“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.

Season four features Horshamraised Aaron Schultz who is passionate about improving the health and lives of men in rural settings.

He shares how alcohol, anxiety and exercise have shaped his life and given him the drive to start The Outback Mind Foundation, which provides ongoing wellbeing tools to

help men get back in the driver’s seat of their physical, mental and emotional health.

In another episode, Tania Walter discusses how she’s been able to support fellow farmers become more active in Marnoo.

She also shares some of the ‘behind the scenes’ on her and her husband’s biodynamic farm and takes us back to where it all began.

People can listen to Farmer Wants a Healthy Life via the West Wimmera Health Service website, wwhs.net.au/ Farmer-wants-a-healthy-life or via Apple, Spotify or wherever podcasts are available.

CHEERS: Carlton and United Breweries hosted a celebration at Sea Lake to thank Mallee barley farmers for helping make its beer for many generations.

Toasting a proud history

Carlton and United Breweries

‘shouted the bar’ at the Royal Hotel in Sea Lake to give barley farmers a night off and thank them for helping make some of Australia’s most-loved beers.

About 40 Mallee farmers attended the night, where they enjoyed a meal and a range of beers brewed with their barley.

CUB, which is part of Asahi Beverages, purchases more than 30,000 tonnes of barley annually from Victorian farmers.

The barley is used to brew hundreds of millions of litres of beer at its Abbotsford brewery including VB, Carlton Draught, Great Northern and Melbourne Bitter.

CUB chief executive Danny Celoni addressed the gathering, while experts on mental health, soil health and farm safety also spoke.

“We are enormously grateful for the

barley our farmers grow and we know it is tough work,” Mr Celoni said.

“So we wanted to say ‘thank you’ by giving them a night off, shouting them a meal and some beers and ensuring they had a laugh with their fellow farmers, while also equipping them with some mental and physical safety tips.”

He said the hard-work and passion of generations of farmers came through in the supplied grain.

“Our beers are only as good as the local produce we use to make them. Barley malt is the heart and soul of beer and has a defining influence on the taste, colour, aroma and foam,” he said.

“CUB can trace its brewing history in Victoria back to 1854 and there are families in the Mallee who have been farming barley for generations. “We share a proud history with the region.”

SUPPORT: Tania Walter, with husband Stephan, discusses how she has been able to support fellow farmers in season four of podcast series ‘Farmer Wants a Healthy Life’.

West Wimmera Health Service

See us at Site 152 Mallee Machinery Field Days

See us at Speed site 219/220

The Heliodor is a true all-rounder: it is ideally suited not only for shallow stubble culti-vation of light and medium soils, but o ers outstanding performance even in seedbed preparation for mulch seeding and after ploughing!

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Bene t from its numerous other advantages:

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Climate support

Thelatest enhancements to RYAN NT’s no-till disc conversions and coil wheels are designed to revolutionise farming practices and maximise productivity.

With more than 50 years of expertise in developing innovative farm machinery, the RYAN brand is continuously improving its products to provide exceptional benefits to farmers worldwide. Their no-till discs are widely recognised for their outstanding features, which include preserving soil structure; enabling early and dry planting; eliminating machine blockages with the front boot design and scraper system; facilitating faster sowing and fuel savings; and effectively cutting through heavy stubbles and trash.

Building on this success, RYAN NT has introduced several upgrades in recent years to meet the growing demands of farmers.

One of the key enhancements is the ground-following double disc, which ensures precise seed placement even on uneven terrain.

The double-chute-double-disc system offers increased flexibility in planting methods, allowing the separate sowing of small seeds away from fertilisers, which is particularly advantageous for canola planting.

Moreover, RYAN NT has developed an adjustable, flexible rubber

boot with a closing tool, enabling farmers to set the desired seed depth according to their specific requirements.

Recognising the challenges faced by farmers working with red clay soil types, RYAN NT has incorporated an outside scraper into their disc design. This scraper effectively combats sticky and trashy conditions, reducing mud build-up on the discs and preventing unnecessary widening of furrows.

Additionally, RYAN NT now offers shorter disc leg models, catering to combine drills with limited road clearance, and reshaped seed boots for improved grain and fertiliser flow.

The improvements to the self-cleaning coil wheels range continue to elevate RYAN products.

The coil press wheels are renowned for their ability to self-clean in the toughest conditions, provide superior furrow closing, ensure even germination, and maintain durability, unlike rubber tyres.

In response to farmers’ feedback and their need for enhanced moisture-seeking capabilities, RYAN NT has introduced a new coil press wheel with reinforced support, capable of withstanding rough and challenging conditions.

The coil press wheels are available in two or three coils and can be retrofitted to most press wheel models on the market, including new models for DBS and Horsch airseeders.

RYAN NT also offers its own coil press wheel assembly.

COMMITTED: RYAN NT has introduced several upgrades to its products in recent years to meet the growing demands of farmers.

RYAN NT is among the exhibitors at the Mallee Machinery Field Days next week.

People can visit the site, or con-

tact managing director Paul Ryan for more information on 0417 354 617 or email paul@ryannt.com.au

People can also visit ryannt.com.au

TheFederal Government is committing to offering the agriculture sector a seat at the table when it comes to deciding how Australia will tackle climate change in the future.

The government announced last week it would work with farmers, industry, the climate movement, experts, unions and the community to develop six sectoral plans to help reach Australia’s net zero 2050 goals.

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Murray Watt will help develop an agriculture and land plan, alongside Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen.

Mr Bowen said Australian farmers were on the frontline of climate change.

“We want to learn from their knowledge, innovation and ideas to ensure our agricultural industry remains not only sustainable, but increasingly competitive in our net zero economy,” he said.

The announcement followed an endorsement of the National Statement on Climate Change and Agriculture by every state and territory at an agriculture ministers’ meeting this month.

Mr Watt said there was a shared commitment to provide leadership and work in partnership with the agriculture sector.

“Many leading industry groups including the National Farmers’ Federation, Meat and Livestock Australia, GrainGrowers and Wine Australia have their own plans to reach net zero by 2050 or even sooner, and the whole country can benefit from that expertise,” he said.

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Sharing information

Regional events such as the Mallee Machinery Field Days offer organisations and groups a chance to meet and engage with people, and share information and ideas.

Among long-time exhibitors is GWMWater – a statutory corporation responsible for providing, managing, operating and protecting water supply and sewerage systems for 13 municipalities across Grampians, Wimmera and Mallee regions.

GWMWater executive manager customer and employee experience, Teresa Yeing, said community

events such as the field days were important.

“GWMWater has been attending the Mallee Machinery Field Days for many years,” she said.

“The field days always has a great atmosphere and we’re excited to be a part of it again.

“Our customers are spread out across a large geographic area, so attending regional events and field days is important to us as we get the chance to meet our customers faceto-face, answer their questions, and

talk to them about our current and future projects.

“Customers can visit us at our stand and talk to us about our customer portal, their water accounts, or ask any other questions they may have for us.

“We also have a fun game to play where visitors can test their knowledge of our water with many great prizes to be won.”

GWMWater provides water services for homes, businesses, industry, farms, and environmental purposes as well as for recreational and sporting use and community benefit. This includes about 72,000 people across the region.

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Smallaire continues to pride itself on innovative solutions for all its customers in air movement needs through its intense research and development programs to provide high-quality, long-lasting components that people have come to trust,” she said.

“The company continues to grow itself – not only in Australia but around the world with its dedication to extend-

ing its overseas customers, to prove and expand its technology, which has led the company to being able to export its range of high-quality components globally to manufacturers, farmers and agronomists who strive to achieve only the best results.”

The business is a multi-award winner in manufacturing excellence and export, having been named ACE Radio Wimmera Business Awards business of the year in 2018 and listed as a finalist in the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame in 2018.

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

OUT AND ABOUT: GWMWater project manager Jonathon Horsfall chats with customers Scott and Lee Brown at the Mallee Machinery Field Days at Speed.

GWMWater

MALLEE BOUND: Jock Baker, showcasing air-seeder parts, will join the team at the Mallee Machinery Field Days next week.

Plenty of Action on site

Exhibitor profile

Action Sheds

Therewill be plenty of Action at site 98 of the Mallee Machinery Field Days.

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

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

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

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

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

Action’s expertise and product offering also extends to in-house concrete panel manufacturing, making the company an ideal choice for farmer’s building grain sheds, fertiliser sheds, calf sheds and multipurpose sheds, or those wanting

to retrofit existing farm sheds with panels.

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

If you are planning a farm shed build, be sure to catch up with the

Markets stable

As the weather cools and the rain continues across the state and in the Wimmera, export prices for multiple agriculture commodities remain stable.

Yarded numbers of sheep and lambs at Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange reached 6050 on July 12 and dropped to 4000 on Wednesday.

Graham Pymer’s market report showed quality was mixed, with several pens of wellfinished grain-fed lambs offered.

The medium and heavy-trade-weight lambs sold from $115 to $145 a head and light-tradeweight lambs sold from $100 to $112 a head.

Lightweight lambs sold from $37 to $105 a head, while export-weight lambs sold from $143 to $158 a head and extra heavier-weight lambs sold from $143 to $158 a head.

Restocking lambs sold from $24 to a top of $88 a head and merino lambs sold from $37 to $105 a head. Merino ewes sold for up to $115 and crossbred ewes sold for up to $131 a head Hogetts sold for up to $108 a head.

Lightweight sheep sold for up to $64 a head and medium-weight sheep sold from $62 to $80 a head.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry reported Australian export prices, as of Thursday, for mutton, lamb and live sheep are lower than in July last year, but remained similar to the previous week.

Mutton was exporting at 327 cents a kilogram; lamb was exporting at 554 cents a kilogram; and live sheep remained at $93 a head.

Beef export prices are sitting at 571 cents a kilogram.

building consultants on site at the Action exhibit. In the meantime, people can visit actionsteel.com.au to learn more about the Action farm shed range and view the latest project photos and resources, or call 1800 687 888 to discuss a project.

Mech-Elec Air & Automation specialise in providing Air, Electrical and Mechanical solutions to a broad range of Agriculture, Home Handyman & Manufacturing

Grain prices were between 21 and 29 percent lower than in July last year.

Milling wheat exported at $450 a tonne, feed wheat sold for $427 a tonne and feed barley exported at $348 a tonne.

Canola was exported at $829 a tonne.

Weekdays from 6am

LET’S TALK: Discuss ideas for your hay shed build, such as the above shed built by Action at Speed, with the Action team at Mallee Machinery Field Days.

VFF board denies motion

TheVictorian Farmers Federation board denied a motion from members for an extraordinary general meeting to dissolve the board and spill all elected positions.

Two former grain group presidents, Brett Hosking and Andrew Weidemann, moved the motion in June after a meeting in St Arnaud revealed members were feeling disengaged from VFF leadership.

President Emma Germano said the board listened to the views of all farmers and noted a request for a meeting.

“The current request for an extraordinary general meeting, EGM, is defective in regard to the Corporations Act and cannot be validly held associated with this request,” she said.

“However, the board has resolved to issue a notice of intention to call an EGM on November 20, for the purposes of amending the VFF Constitution.

“We will invite all members to provide feedback on the constitution and lodge other resolutions to the EGM.”

Mr Hosking said conversations were initiated with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and independent solicitors upon learning the motion was denied.

“We have begun the process of seeking legal advice,” he said.

“We’re hoping the board is right in saying the request is defective because they have exceeded the 21 days to call the meeting.

“If there is an error and the motion should not have been denied, the directors become liable.

“This is the situation we did not want.”

One-hundred signatures of support were needed to lodge a resolution with the VFF.

Once a resolution is lodged with the VFF, a meeting must be called within 21 days for it to be held within 61 days.

When the motion was lodged, Mr Hosking said if it was successful an interim management board would be implemented then a full election would be called to appoint directors.

Some of the reasons cited for the

call to dissolve the board included the liquidation of VFF’s grains group’s $9-million deed poll share portfolio to pay debts in May, and increasing legal and consultancy costs with less grower-led recovery.

Upon announcing the motion had been denied, the VFF also announced it had approved a new tiered membership structure, further solidified the core focus of the group and released the process for amending its constitution.

Ms Germano said a transformation of VFF was well underway.

“We’re hard at work to ensure the organisation is positioned to deliver for all members and Victorian farmers

Safety plea

Leading safety agencies Kidsafe Victoria, Life Saving Victoria and Farmsafe Australia are urging regional families to establish safe play areas and actively supervise children near water, to reduce childhood drownings on farms.

Kidsafe Victoria general manager Jason Chambers said it was important to be aware that farms had many unique water hazards not commonly found in a suburban home.

“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 of which can pose a potential drowning hazard for children,” he said.

Royal Life Saving Society of Australia statistics show 29 percent of toddler drownings in 2021-22 occurred in bodies of water such as lakes, dams, rivers and creeks.

in the years ahead,” she said. “A new membership structure with tiered categories was agreed to and will ensure VFF membership delivers on value for money and helps engage farmers to have their say on pressing issues.

“We’re already starting to see the signs of progress, with the organisation returning recent and a long-awaited surplus and we’re no longer relying on debt to fund our operations.”

The VFF announced it would share details of constitutional and membership changes with members in coming weeks.

Farmsafe Australia chair Felicity Richards said ensuring all children were wearing brightly coloured clothing could make them easier to spot.

“Avoid dressing kids in dull greens, browns, or greys, and instead opt for something brighter that stands out in all environments,” she said.

“This can help you spot them before they slip away and make it easier to find them if they do go missing.”

The three organisations recommend adults on farms teach children water safety skills, actively supervise children, establish safe play areas away from water hazards, securely cover water storage areas such as tanks, fill unused holes where water can gather, such as ditches, remove floating items from dams where possible and learn CPR.

“We have begun the process of seeking legal advice. We’re hoping the board is right in saying the request is defective because they have exceeded the 21 days to call the meeting”

– Brett Hosking

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Studs return to Marnoo

BY ABBY WALTER

The2023 Victorian State Merino Field Day will attract 39 sheep studs to Marnoo for a day of networking and stock viewing.

The event, on Friday, is an opportunity to showcase Merino and Poll Merino sheep with an afternoon of judging.

Field day president Trent Carter said it was fantastic to see a 39stud line-up.

“Everything is in place, so we are ready to go, and the forecast is for a nice day,” he said.

“After the Australian Sheep and Wool Show at Bendigo, there is a lot of positivity and excitement.

“There will be more than 600 sheep on display, including this year’s potential sale rams.

“There will also be three classes of judging, which is quite a spectacle at lunchtime.”

Mr Carter said the field day was an opportunity to mingle and network with others in the industry.

“The number-one purpose behind the event is to view a wide range of genetics and sheep from strong wool to super fine,” he said.

“There will be sheep to match every environment and every breeding direction.”

Attending studs include Hannaton, Willera, Melrose, Rock-Bank, Rockbank South, Glenpaen, Stud Park South, Kerrilyn, Mount Yulong, Tamaleuca, Koole Vale, Cor-

yule, Glendonald, Nareeb Nareeb, Kedleston Park Araplies Plains, Kurra-Wirra, Terrick West, Banavie, Charinga, Wallaloo Park, Longdale Park, Sohnic, Belbourie, Oakbank, Forest Springs, Hynam Poll, Bennmann, Willharr, Toland, Kilfeera Park, Gowandale, Wurrook, Urangara, Montrose Hill,

Kevlyn, Wattlebank, Connewarran and Bindawarra.

Mr Carter said there were 28 industry businesses with trade sites at the event.

“It’s fantastic to have those supporting businesses on board, too,” he said.

“The gates open from 10am to

Farm crime in the spotlight

TheVictorian Farmers Federation is urging farmers to have a say on the impact of farm and rural crime through the Australian Farm Crime Survey.

VFF president Emma Germano said University of New England commissioned the survey. She said the survey aimed to provide a comprehensive snapshot of all farm crime across Australia.

“This is the first national survey to be undertaken in two decades and the results will provide invaluable insight into farm crime across Australia,” she said.

“Livestock theft in Victoria alone has hit a 10-year high, costing farmers a staggering $6.7 million last year.

“We know farm crime is under-reported, so the real figure could easily be much higher.

“Whether it be theft involving livestock, farm equipment or property damage and illegal trespass, farm crime has an enormous financial impact and can be a terrifying experience for farming families and staff, which cannot be tolerated.”

Ms Germano said survey results would be used to advocate for greater resources and awareness campaigns to combat farm crime.

4pm and there are gate prizes to be won, with catering on site. There is parking in the main street and at the Grain Corp site, and we have an ATV shuttle service that will take people from town to the gates.

“It’s one day where people can come and inspect the merinos and have a great day out.”

“It’s so important that as many Victorian farmers as possible take part in the survey to ensure issues faced by local farmers are understood,” she said.

“The results will help provide the VFF with valuable insight and data, which can be used in our advocacy for greater government action in dealing with farm crime.”

The link to complete the survey is available via unesurveys.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ barMN4RDkQtl0O2

INSPECT AND MINGLE: The 2023 Victorian State Merino Field Day returns to Marnoo on Friday with 39 studs on display. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

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Case

August 2 & 3, 2023 at Speed

CBA Craft & Interest Pavilion 2023

Exhibitors & Products

The Crafty Spots Personalised gifts, Kids Hi Viz polos

Low Sodium Foods Spices, sauces, condiments

Mallee Blooms Homewares, gifts, baby products, candles, jewellery

Rawleigh Products and Handmade by Sylvia Rawleigh products, card making and Scrapbooking supplies, crotchet, knitted and quilted items, Tupperware products

Your Scarfs Scarves, umbrellas, bamboo socks, wool socks, plush toys, hand made kid’s pyjamas, coolin wraps, dog coats, bags and coin purses

NAZ Industries Toys

Peg’s Shed Handmade wooden goodies.

Company

Love Your Travels Good Riddance Insect Repellent, Love Your Travels insulated drinkware, Shoo Away, pegless clotheslines

Fossey’s Boutique Australian Gin and other spirits

Rachel’s Krafty Gifts Handmade heatpacks, ironing board covers, bags, kitchenhand towels

Nanna’s Kitchen Homemade jams, relish, chutney, sauces and salad dressing

Beauty Scoop Makeup and skin care range

Cake & Cookie Co

By Emma (Thursday only) Homemade baked goodies, including cupcakes, macarons and cookies

Meraki Shell (Wednesday only) Handmade sock protectors, headbands, scrunchies, kids’ clothing, indoor plant bags, tea towels, library/swimming bags, women’s fashion button earrings

Blessed Bod Ladies fashion and accessories

Up Up ‘N Away Balloons Foil balloons

Sunraysia Balm and Salt Natural soaps, balms, and bath salts all handmade in Mildura, crystal and costume jewellery

AS & Co Gracefully Green Eco-friendly products, including reus able shopping bags, drinkware, beauty and personal care products, and plastic-free natural home cleaning products

Screaming Girl Designs (Wednesday only) Ceramic artworks, jewellery, hand-built ceramic tile artworks, bowls, jewellery, oilcloth lunch bags and greeting cards, all created by Mildura-based artist, Jennifer Gadsden

Kipworth Alpacas Alpaca products and fibre baby products

Jady Pop Face Paint Artist Face painting for all ages