AgLife – May 31, 2017 edition by The Weekly Advertiser

May 31, 2017

Finish line in sight Wimmera farmers are at the tail end of another sowing period. Rob Sudholz, pictured with a crop of wheat sowed into lentil stubble at Natimuk, expects to have all his crops in by the end of the week. Season update, page 33. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

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eeding has hit fever pitch across western Victoria in recent weeks and we are now coming towards the tail end of another sowing period.

After starting from well back in the field with a list of jobs as long as their arms, all the while unsure of what autumn was going to deliver weather wise, growers have risen to the task. They have come home with a wet sail with crops going in – in a very timely fashion – and the finish line well and truly in sight. The way the mop has flopped during the past six to eight months has seen one major task merge into the next for many grain growers, calling on multitasking skills to be applied, or learnt for those who prefer to complete one task before beginning another. This has left farmers wondering: ‘Has it just been the season, or is this just what I do now?’ It is a sign of the times and with properties forever expanding and what seems to be a continually diminishing workforce, the latter is increasingly true. Fortunately for the family farmer, consistent rain has forced machinery to a halt at regular intervals, encouraging some down time and keeping marital relations below the detonation threshold as opposed to simply being passing ships in the night.

WELCOME SIGHT: Good rain has helped crops emerge swiftly across the region. The season is poised to become ‘seriously wet seriously quickly’ or lull people into a false sense of security. Picture: SARAH SCULLY

with Mick Phelan

With a drawn-out hay season and harvest in 2016 leading straight into 2017 paddock preparation, which incidentally required a lot more effort and stubble burning this year due to the increased bulk left behind from last year’s harvest, tractors began rolling with flames lapping at their tyres. Sowing is now running head on into the beginning of the top-dress and post-emergent spray season with early-sown crops in northern regions, canola in particular, bolting out of the ground after good rain and relatively warm conditions for this time of the year. With crops emerging swiftly, growers have had to retrace their tracks before they even finish putting the crop into the ground to ensure that mice, slugs and insects are not undoing any of their hard work. It is another sign of the times that preventatives such as seed treatments, mice and slug bait have largely become a fixed cost of production and the rule rather than the exception. The cost of such measures is a much easier pill to swallow than the heart-

ache, time and money associated with the possibility of having to re-sow patches at a later time. Despite the best efforts of growers, mice in particular have still been able to penetrate defences to cause frustration in some areas. Graziers have also seen an early flush of green feed unlike anything they have seen for quite some time, helping to maintain stock condition – to the point that early-morning rounds are spent on the edge of the driver’s seat and with a hint of uneasiness around the size of some of the off-

spring they might encounter, midbirth, from day to day. Fortunately, autumn progeny hitting the ground unscathed have been given a favourable start to life, which will no doubt help them fend off the approaching cold winter conditions. The season is already poised to where it could become seriously wet seriously quickly or lull everyone into a false sense of security before falling off the wagon and becoming dry later in the year. This is hardly a profound statement because all you have to do is look out

the window to observe the conditions. And let’s be honest, every season can be wet or dry. However, from what the start of the season has delivered, there is a noticeable level of ambiguity as to what it means for the remainder of the year and growers are acutely aware that in the modern age, wet can be wet, dry most certainly means dry and normal is perhaps an extinct concept. One can only hope that we continue to exist in the current sweet spot that has been served up for the first half of this year.

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farmers was simply unjustifiable. She added it might also be an issue for the Local Government Investigation and Compliance Inspectorate, which plays a key role in monitoring governance in Victorian councils. “We have to also remember that an additional hit for local landowners comes in Labor’s new policy to have annual property revaluations,” she said. “Additional increases in property values will further compound rate-rise pain.”

BY DEAN LAWSON

n Ararat rates debate has attracted a heated response from Member for Lowan Emma Kealy who revealed she was exploring ways to help the regional city’s district farmers avoid a potentially crippling rise in costs.

Ms Kealy, whose electorate includes Ararat’s south and west farming districts, said it was unacceptable to expect farmers, who owned less than a quarter of rateable properties in the municipality, to take financial responsibility for more than half of the city’s rates. “It’s just crazy. We’re talking about a sector that not only relies on land to make a living, but is also exposed to year-to-year climatic and environmental variables that can determine success or failure, let alone having to worry about human manipulation,” she said. Ms Kealy was scathing of Ararat Rural City councillors who voted to adopt a uniform rate across the municipality by scrapping a farm rate differential. “This is surely a case of councillors not understanding the potential impact this might have on communities outside Ararat,” she said. “Agriculture is a primary regional economic driver for Ararat, which means this is a big-picture issue, not

Ramsay

CONCERNS: Farmers and guests gather at Lake Bolac football clubrooms to discuss the impact of an Ararat Rural City Council plan to scrap a farm rate differential in favour of a uniform rate for the municipality. The decision has sparked an angry response from the Victorian Farmers Federation and Member for Lowan Emma Kealy. only for Ararat, but a region, and its viability into the future,” she said. “If farmers don’t have money to spend because it has all gone to rates, it means that money isn’t being spent anywhere else to stimulate the district economy. “It really comes across as a short-sighted council cash grab based on exploiting good farming conditions, when everyone knows another bad season might just be around the corner,” she said. “It would be a terrible outcome if

there were farmers who had to sell up because rates had broken their business. “It’s just not fair to go from a rates differential of 55 percent to 100 percent in one hit when there is no change to service delivery in the region.” Ms Kealy said she had already been in touch with the Office of the Victorian Ombudsman, which was interested in receiving submissions to see if the Ararat decision-making process was flawed, if there were any conflicts of interest or whether the rate rise for

Liberal Member for Western Victoria Simon Ramsay said he believed potential scrapping of farm differential rating in Ararat could be disastrous and a test case for Victoria. Mr Ramsay, among observers at a Lake Bolac meeting about the issue last week, said he would closely watch how it unfolded. He said the 55 percent rate differential had been in place for many years for good reason. “Farms represent just 24 percent of rateable properties in the shire, but already pay 38 percent of the rates. Under this proposal, they will pay 55 percent of the rate income,” he said. The Ararat council has, as part of its draft rating strategy, voted to ask farmers to pay 46 percent more for rates next year – at a value of

$2,432,665 – while all other ratepayers will pay less. Mr Ramsay said the Ararat council faced challenges because it was ‘administratively top-heavy’ and home to a low socio-economic population with an average income of about $38,000. “The Andrews government’s introduction of rate capping is forcing councils, such as Ararat, to re-think how they do business,” he said. “This is another example of the impact of government policy and intrusion.” Mr Ramsay is a member of a State Parliament Environment, Natural Resources and Regional Development Committee working on an Inquiry into the Sustainability and Operational Challenges of Victoria’s Rural and Regional Councils. “Through this budget proposal, the council is effectively shining the state’s spotlight on itself,” he said. “It will be questioned about why these changes are proposed and what the long-term ramifications are. “I suspect from the committee’s point of view, Ararat’s change raises questions about how to establish a longer-term sustainable funding model for small rural and regional councils. “As it stands – this proposal appears unfair and inequitable to the farming community. Imagine the financial stress on farmers in times of drought, flood, fire or commodity upheaval?”

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GRDC forum agenda T

hree Grains Research and Development Corporation forums in western Victoria in June and July will provide growers and other industry stakeholders the opportunity to discuss research, development and investment.

The GRDC’s Southern Regional Cropping Solutions Network will host the interactive forums at Warracknabeal, medium rain zone, on June 27, Ouyen, low rain zone, June 29, and Beaufort, high rain zone, on July 4. Southern network co-ordinator Jen Lillecrapp said the forums were a way for growers to engage directly with GRDC staff and members of the network and corporation’s southern panel. “The local forums will provide those attending with a

snapshot of key GRDC investments, with GRDC staff helping address important issues for grain growers, as identified by the RCSN,” she said. “The forums – a new concept – will provide local growers and other industry stakeholders with the opportunity to understand the latest findings and have direct input to shape future research, development and extension for the important issues which affect the profitability of growers. The forums are also a chance for us to confirm that the most important issues which impact on profitability of growers in the three rain zones in Victoria have been recognised by the RCSN.” The Southern RCSN has 38 members – 21 growers, 13 advisers and four researchers, and 10 members of the southern panel – who are spread

throughout Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. “The RCSN provides a mechanism that further links the GRDC, local growers and industry stakeholders,” Mrs Lillecrapp said. “The network helps to identify key issues and the contributing factors to subsequently assist the GRDC in planning and delivering RD and E to overcome the major constraints and capture the opportunities that will deliver the greatest benefit for growers.” The Warracknabeal and Ouyen forums will be from 9am to 12.30pm, while the Beaufort forum will be from 7am to 10.30am. Catering will be provided. More information about the forums, including registration BE INFORMED: GRDC southern grower details, are available online at services regional manager Craig Ruchs and Southern RCSN co-ordinator Jen Lillecrapp. grdc.com.au/events/list.

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Member for Mallee Andrew Broad has urged eligible primary producers across his electorate to apply for $30,000 Nuffield Australia scholarships. Mr Broad, a Nuffield scholar, said only three weeks remained for producers living in Wimmera, Mallee and Mildura regions to apply for an opportunity to take part in a 16-week overseas agricultural study tour. Mr Broad said his experience was life-changing. “It’s the opportunity of a lifetime for local farmers to be challenged, to experience new cultures, and to learn more about an agriculture topic of their choice,” he said. “My time as a scholarship recipient helped my personal development and extended my knowledge of Australia’s agricultural issues. I encourage all our eligible farmers to apply now for a chance to be part of this global scholarship opportunity.” Nuffield Australia awards scholarships to farmers in Australia each year. These scholarships give Australians the opportunity to study farming practices in New Zealand, Europe, Asia and the Americas and those countries best suited to the scholar. Applications for 2018 Nuffield scholarships close on June 16. People can find out more information online at nuffield.com.au/scholarships.

Minister launches tagging system

GAME CHANGER: The region’s sheep producers will tag lambs with electronic ID under a new National Livestock Identification System. Picture: SARAH SCULLY

Electronic tagging of sheep and goats represents major industry reform and Victorian Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford had the honour of tagging some of the season’s first autumn lambs. Visiting a property near Ballan, Ms Pulford electronically tagged premium Dorset stud lambs. Ms Pulford announced the implementation of an electronic National Livestock Identification System, NLIS,

for sheep and goats last year as part of a $17-million industry and farmer support package. The mandatory use of electronic tags came into effect on January 1 this year, with lambs and kids born in Victoria on or after this date requiring an electronic tag before leaving the property of birth. Ms Pulford said introducing the reform improved biosecurity for valuable sheep and goat sectors and supported innovation, productivity,

traceability and market access. “Electronic ID will help protect Victoria’s sheep and goat industries and our access to important export markets,” she said. “This is game-changing technology and Victorian farmers are proudly leading the way.” Throughout April, farmers from across the state attended on-farm workshops to learn how to take tagging to the next level, with independent

experts demonstrating the potential of electronic ID for flock management, productivity improvements and profit maximisation. Ms Pulford said every producer has access to cost-neutral tags for the first 12 months for their 2017 lambs and kids, with tags available from 35 cents each. She said more information was available online at www. agriculture.vic.gov.au/sheepEID.

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The mid-April break was perfectly timed, with the Longerenong research site receiving 52 millimetres on April 20, providing moist and ideal sowing conditions. A canola phenology trial BCG is running on behalf of NSW Department of Primary Industries is examining how time of sowing influences canola performance in the Wimmera. The trial, which has been sown at Longerenong, includes two times of sowing with urea rates targeting a decile five and decile nine growing season. One of the questions this trial is seeking to answer is whether there could be opportunities for early sowing if a break is received, and how different canola varieties compare under this scenario. The interaction between sowing date and variety choice is related to phenology growth habit, biomass accumulation, grain yield and oil.

In a high frost risk area, early sowing is likely to increase the frost risk. Emergence counts will be performed on all plots and Normalised Difference Vegetation Index, NDVI, measurements have been taken. NDVI measurements are performed using infrared technology, which measures crop greenness, and hence, crop growth. These measurements are taken throughout the growing season to determine the different growth patterns for crop types. The Longerenong site exhibits an array of field trials, which range from weed trials to pre-emergent herbicide use in lentils over various stubble management techniques. Many of these trials will feature at an agronomic crop walk on July 12. With many trials now emerging, the first assessments BCG will do is emergence counts

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to determine the plant density, the number of plants in 1m2, which we accounted for when calculating the sowing rate. Although conditions are conducive for good emergence and early crop vigour, potential reasons for low crop emergence could be due to a lower than expected germination percent, issues with seeding depth – sown too deep, water logging or very low temperatures, which also reduces crop vigour, and pest damage such as that caused by mice. The 2017 main research site is at Curyo, where sowing was completed on May 12. After 30mm of rain by April 20, crops were emerging well. The site, located 26 kilometres north-west of Birchip on the Sunraysia Highway, is hosting 30 trials examining an extensive range of agronomic, farming systems and management strategies. The Curyo research site will be open for inspection at an annual main field day on September 13. For more information on BCG’s research program or coming events people can visit www.bcg.org.au or call 5492 2787.

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rural financial organisation report has revealed the median value of Australian farmland increased by 9.3 percent in 2016, following 5.3 and 6.8 percent rises in 2015 and 2014 respectively.

The figures come from Rural Bank and Rural Finance’s Australian Farmland Values report. Rural Bank agribusiness general manager Andrew Smith said the findings underlined the resounding strength of Australian farmland value, with the median price in most states recording an average annual growth rate of three percent over the decade, and more than six percent for the past 20 years. He said the findings confirmed the long-term positive outlook for Australian agriculture. “The 2016 Australian Farmland Values report demonstrates the underlying strength of this vibrant asset class,” he said.

“Despite variable seasonal conditions and ever-changing commodities prices, the sustained growth in land prices not only reflects the resilience of the sector, but investor confidence in Australian agriculture’s growth prospects for the future. “It’s clear from the report that you are likely to come out on top if you buy right and take a long-term view when investing in agricultural farmland.” Produced by Rural Bank and Rural Finance’s specialist market insights division Ag Answers, the report is based on real farm sales since 1995 and draws on more than 230,000 transactions, accounting for 278-million hectares of land with a combined value of $132-billion. The report showed that while the performance of farmland prices in most states was buoyant, there were inevitable variables from state to state. The 2016 median farmland price increased in the Northern Territory by 35.1 percent, Vic-

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toria 12.9, Queensland 10.3, New South Wales 10.1, Western Australia 3.1 and South Australia 1.4, but fell in Tasmania minus 0.4. To understand drivers of farmland value in each state, the report provides an overview of key national and state trends such as commodity prices, climatic conditions and other sectoral factors, lending rates and the broader investment environment. “There has been incredible growth across the eastern states in 2016 and while the remaining states have not performed so well in the same period – taking the long-term view – the growth rate is remarkably consistent across the board,” Mr Smith said. “This will come as no surprise to those on the land, but perhaps we’re getting to a point where the investment community is recognising what we’ve always known – there is a bright future in Australian agriculture.”

All chickpea crops in Victoria and South Australia will need to be closely monitored this year for Ascochyta blight, AB, infection. South Australian Research and Development Institute pulse pathology principal research scientist Dr Jenny Davidson said all varieties were now rated as either susceptible to moderately susceptible to infection. She said a virulence change in the AB pathogen of chickpeas had occurred; with severe AB infection detected in previously resistant chickpea varieties across both states in 2015 and 2016. Dr Davidson said while AB infection was more severe in high and medium rain zones, effective disease control strategies were also required in low rain regions. “This is because severe disease outbreaks could occur in these environments during wet seasons, as was the case in 2016,” she said. “Moderately susceptible varieties will generally require three to four strategic fungicide sprays ahead of rain, offering two to three weeks of protection, starting at six to eight weeks post-sowing.

Dr Jenny Davidson “Susceptible varieties will require regular fungicide sprays every two to three weeks throughout the growing season in front of rain.” Dr Davidson said because the pods of all commercial varieties were susceptible to AB, they would also require fungicide sprays during pod setting ahead of rain fronts to protect the pods from seed staining and seed abortion. Dr Davidson’s research is supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation. Agriculture Victoria pulse agronomist Dr Jason Brand said growers also needed to

factor into their 2017 management strategies the impact of early sowing following recent rain throughout South Australia and Victoria, as rapid early growth could lead to a greater risk of AB infection. Dr Brand, leader of the GRDC Southern Pulse Agronomy program investment, reported that while outbreaks of AB were significant in Victorian chickpea trials last year, crops generally recovered well from the disease as soon as conditions dried out. He said the AB pathogen would survive on stubble and organic matter for many years, so growers needed to observe a minimum three-year rotation between chickpeas in the same paddock, and avoid planting next to the previous year’s chickpea stubble. Dr Brand said it was imperative all chickpea seed was treated with a thiram-based fungicide to prevent seed transmission of AB to emerging seedlings. He said ongoing research into pulse diseases in the southern cropping region would include further assessment of the impact of AB on seed quality.

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