Gippsland Farmer December 2022

Crack thatwhip

A 15 year old girl with a pedigree steeped in high country heritage captivated the hearts of an audience of thousands last month with a pair of stock whips

Valencia Creek teen Jules Reti was one of the star attractions a Saturday night gala the Mane Event held as part of equestrian industry expo Equitana at the Melbourne Showgrounds Jules stepped into the spotlight and wowed the crowd with her gun whip cracking skills, which so far have taken to her national and state title competitions “I was nervous walking out there but after my first few cracks I was okay ” she said

Jules is keeping the art alive as the great granddaughter of the Arthur Guy whose family used to run Wonnangatta station and built Guy’s hut on the Snowy plains in 1940

She had been going to mountain cat tlemen’s gatherings since she was a tot where she saw big kids using a stock whip and decided to give it a crack with an old one lying around at home.

I kept practising and I got good at it very quickly My mum said if I got good with one in the other hand she would buy me a pair of whips, so I did a lot more practising,” she said

The young gun said she had also been helping to drive cattle through the bush

using stock whips to help guide her charges, with family friends

Jules also helps around the dairy farm at home milking cows, jumping on the mower and training her polocrosse horses in between cracking her whips

She can now perform some tricky high level double handed combinations including the Drovers Two Step and the Tasmanian Twist

“You have to remember the cracks in all directions, it’s fast and you crack the whips behind your back You gotta know to crack to the right beat,” she said “Once you ’ ve got it, you can’t lose it But you need a lot of strength in your arms it could be a small hand movement or

how you tilt the whip ”

Jules had been a member of the high country whip crackers club where she picked up some new tricks, but now does a lot of performing at local shows

She said she got the Equitana gig after being spotted at a cattlemen’s gathering and went on to perform in front of her largest audience

“This is like this old fashioned thing they used to do, and I think it’s cool that there are still stockmen who push cattle with horses instead of motorbikes,” she said

It s cool I m helping keep this alive and telling a story ”

Registeryour burn-offsthis fireseason

LOCALSarebeing remindedto register theirburn-offsontheFirePermits Victoria website to prepare properties forfireseason.

Thewebsiteis aone-stop-shop to registerburn-offsbefore thefire dangerperiodstarts,orapplyfora permitafterthefireseasonbegins.

Morethan85,200burn-offswere registeredorapprovedinlastyear’s fireseasonbetweenOctober2021and May2022.

CountryFireAuthoritychiefofficer, JasonHeffernan,said registering burnsorapplyingforpermitswas vitallyimportantforcommunitysafety.

“TheFirePermits Victoriawebsite allowsagenciestocommunicatewith thoseplanningburn-offsin atimely andefficientmanner,allowingusto provideconsistentandup-to-date adviceonsuspendingorrevoking apermitifconditionschange,”Mr Heffernansaid.

ForestFire Management Victoria Actingchieffireofficer,AllysonLardner, saidthepermitsystemprovided agencieswithimportantinformationto managefireriskeffectively.

“Thesystemallowspermitholders tonotifyfireagencieswhenapproved permitswillbeused,especiallywhen firerestrictionsare inplace,”Ms Lardnersaid.

“Thisallowsauthoritiestocrosscheckanywell-meaningtriplezero callsandavoidsourfirefightersbeing dispatchedunnecessarily.”

Localscarrying-outburn-offsshould follow regulationsorlawssetbythe CFAandcouncilandnotifyneighbours ifitwillgeneratefireandsmoke.

Peopleshouldcheckandmonitor weatherconditions -particularlywind -andleave athree-metrefirebreak, freefromflammablematerialsaround theburnarea.

Theyshouldalsohavesufficient equipment and water to stop the fire spreadingandmakesurethefireis properlyextinguishedbeforeitisleft.

Iftheburn-offgetsoutofcontrol, call000immediately.

To register aburn-off,visitfirepermits.vic.gov.au,orcall1800668511.

Harrison headhoncho

GIFFARDWESTfarmerSteveHarrison

MrHarrison willbejoinedbyStacey Lugsdinasvicepresident.

Theannouncementfollows WoolProducers’annualmeetingheldinSydney onThursday,November10,whereimmediatepastpresident,EdStorey,stooddown aftercompletinghismaximumfour-year term.

MrHarrisonthankedMrStoreyforhis servicetoWoolProducersandthe wider woolindustry

“Edhascontributedimmenselytothe woolindustryoverhistenureandoversaw anumberofessentialpolicydecisionsand industrygoodprogrammestotakethe industryforward,”hesaid.

“SomeoftheseissuesincludethedevelopmentoftheTrustin Australian Wool Campaign andthe SheepSustainability Framework,bothlivestockandwool traceability reform,the endof arestrictiveapproach to OJDmanagementand industrystructural reform.”

MrStoreywasfarewelledatanindustry dinner,withrepresentativesfromevery

sectorofthedomesticsupplychainand allindustryserviceprovidersfromaround thecountry,whichis reflectiveofthehigh regardinwhichheisheld.

TheelectionofbothMrHarrisonandMrs Lugsdinset anumberofnewprecedents fortheorganisation,withMrHarrison beingthefirstindependentdirectorof WoolProducerstobeelectedpresident,the firsttimethepresidentandvicepresident havebothbeenindependentdirectors,and MrsLugsdinbeingthefirstfemalevice president.

MrHarrisonsaidhelookedforward toworkingwithMrsLugsdin,the WoolProducersBoard,andstafftocontinue advocatingintheinterestsofallAustralian woolgrowers.

Akeypriorityof WoolProducers remains ensuringthatallwoolindustryservice providersareworkingtogethertoservethe industryinthemostefficientandeffective mannerpossible.

Anexampleofthiscollaborationisthe establishmentby WoolProducersofthe Wool Traceability WorkingGroup,which hasbeenconvenedtooverseetheimplementation ofthe recommendationsfrom

Wetsummerpredicted

THE Bureau of Meteorology is predicting awetter-than-usualsummeralongthe eastcoast,includingmostofVictoria, coastalNewSouthWales,largeareasof Queensland,and Tasmania.

Incontrast,drierthanusualconditions aremorelikely inlargepartsof Western Australia.

Thebureauisalsowarningthatsignificantrainfallcouldleadtowidespread floodingwhereriversarealreadyhigh, damsarefull,andcatchmentsarewet.

Above-averagerainfallalsoincreasesthe riskoflandslidesandtreefallsinareasof steepterrainandverywetsoils.

Itisalsopredicting ahighchanceof warmerthanusualnightsinsomesouthernareas.

Butisalsostressesthatbushfiresare alwaysariskinsummer, particularly withhighvegetationduetoabove-average rainfallleadingto ariskofgrassfires.

This summer, there is also an increased riskofprolongedheatwaveswithhigher humidityinsouthernareasandthunderstormasthmaeventsinthesouth,while pollencountsarehighinearlysummer.

Thewetoutlookintheeastisbeingdriven by aLaNiñainthePacificOcean, apositive SouthernAnnularModeandwarmerocean watersaroundAustralia.

ThenegativeIndianOceanDipoleevent isweakening andwilllikelycometoan endbyearlysummer,whiletheLaNiña inthePacificOceanmaystarttoeasein early2023.

the 2021 Wool TraceabilityReport,and hasalreadyseentangibleoutcomesfrom collaborationbetweenserviceprovidersin thetraceabilityspace.

“Ilookforward topositivelycontributingto industrydecisionsand representinggrowers inkeydiscussionswithindustryandother stakeholders,”MrHarrisonsaid.

Frameworkforyearsahead

DAIRYAustraliaismarking adecadeof reducingenvironmentalimpactsinthe industrythroughaframeworkdesigned totakedairybeyond2030.

TheAustralianDairySustainability Frameworkwasdevelopedin2012in consultationwithdairyfarmers,manufacturers,governments, retailers,customers, andinterestgroups.

Sincethen,94percentoffarmersare reducingemissionsontheirfarmsanddairy emissionsintensityhas reducedby25per centsince2010-11.

Newrydairyfarmer,KateMirams,milks 300cowsonherproperty,wheresheis carryingoutsustainablemeasuressuch asplantingtreesandfencingoffareasfor vegetation.

Shesaidinthepast10years,theindustry haDexcelledinanimalwelfareandenvironmentalpractices,particularlyaround theimpactsofclimatechange.

“Nowthebiggesteye-openeristhe potentialforsoil.Ourpurpose around stewardship for theland haschanged from sustainabilitytohowwecanimprovethe healthandecologyofthelandscape,”Ms Miramssaid.

“Soilhealthdeterminesthenutrient densityofeverythingthatgrowsinthesoil andthehealthofeverythingweeat.”

MsMiramssaidfarmershad a“huge opportunity”todrawcarbondownintothe soil,and create ahumus-richenvironment with greaternutrientandwaterholding capacity.

Thefarmis partof acarbontrialbeing runinconjunctionwithAgVicandthe WestGippslandCatchmentManagement Authority,whichsofarhasfoundbetter waterprofilesinthesoil.

Shesaidpracticessuchasditchingcertain typesofsolublefertiliserandpesticides infavour formulti-speciescropsand rotationalgrazingwaspaying-off.

“Whatgrowsabovethegroundalsogrows belowtheground. We needtostopdoing anythingthatchangestheenvironmentin thesoil. We areforgingaheadwithlearning aboutthis,”shesaid.

“It’spromisingandexciting.Peopleare aware thatsoilhealthis thekeytoour futureandisthebiggestopportunityto make adifference.”

DairyAustraliasustainabilitygeneral

manager,HelenDornom,saidtheindustry haDbeenconstantly reviewing,adapting, andevolvingtomeetthechangingneeds oftheworld.

“Since2012,we’vemadebigstridesinour commitments,withfarmersprovidinggood stewardship of our natural resources and meetingthechallengesofclimatechange,” MsDornomsaid.

“However,we knowthereismoretobe done.It’sundeniablethattheworldneeds nutritiousfoodoptionssuchasdairy.

“Asfoodproducers,wehave aresponsibility to produce food in a sustainable way, andwewon’tstopstrivingtoadaptour productionsystemstobemoresustainable nowandintothefuture.”

Needtoprotect

VICTORIA’Slivestockindustries arefortunatetobefreeofmost of the serious diseases that affect animalsinother partsoftheworld.

Despitethisfact,on-goingsurveillanceforneworexoticdiseaseis important toprotectourlivestock, to reassureour tradingpartners of Victoria’sfavourabledisease status,andtoensure theearly detectionofdiseasesthatmight affecttrade,publichealth,and farmorregionalproductivity.

Earlydetection ofemerging or exoticdiseaseisthekeytotheir effectivemanagementandthis reliesonfarmers,vetsandgovernmentworkingtogether

Inthecourseofdoingfarmvisits and treatinglivestock,veterinary practitionersmust remainvigilant andconsiderthepossibilityofnew, unusualorexoticdiseases.

AgricultureVictoriahasaninitiativethatallowsveterinarianswho investigateand reportonoutbreaks ofunusualorsignificantanimal diseasetobepaid asubsidytohelp coverthecostoftheinvestigation andassociatedlaboratoryfees.

Thesubsidyprogramincreases thelikelihoodofearly reporting of aseriousanimaldiseaseand helpswithcostsassociatedwith anysubsequentinvestigation.

Paymentofsubsidiesisconditionaluponapprovalbeinggiven byAgricultureVictoriabeforethe investigationbegins.

Thissubsidycanbepaidwhen:

•A largenumberofanimals areaffectedorthereisanunusual presentationof adisease

•Aninitialinvestigationfailsto establish adiagnosis,orveterinary treatmentdoesnotproducethe expected response

•Clinicalsignsareconsistent withanemergencydiseasewithout aclearalternativediagnosis

•hereisapossibleeffecton trade,publichealthortheviability of afarm,industryor region

Whenanexoticoremergency diseaseissuspected,Agriculture Victoriawillundertakethedisease investigation.

FlyingtheIcelandicflagatEquitana

ATOUCHoftheNorthPolecameto the MelbourneShowgroundslastmonthwhen arareIcelandichorsemadeanappearance atEquitana.

Thesmallanimalonlyaveragesbetween 13and14hands-high,butmustneverbe referredtoas apony,whichis regardedas offensivebackinthebreed’shomeland.

“InIceland, thereisnowordfor pony, it’s alsorude to callthem apony.They maybesmallinstaturebuttheycarry grownmen,”saidIcelandichorseriding instructor,Renska Younger.

“Theysayit’shardertobreak ashort stickthan alongstick.Theydon’tfeellittle whenyourideone.”

ThebreedfirstcametoAustraliainthe 1860sbutdwindled-offandmade asmall resurgenceinthe90swhen afewwere importedfromDenmark.

Butthereare nowonlyfewerthan400 registeredIcelandichorsesinAustralia, mainlyin Victoria.

Icelandichorsesweredevelopedbythe Vikingstosurviveruggedconditionswith

athickcoatandshortstronglegs.

Theyarealsodefinedby auniquegait calledthetolt, afastamblingwalkinwhich theanimalalwayshasonehoofonthe ground.

“Thisgaitisverysmoothandtheycan easilykeepup withanotherhorseata canter.InEuropetheyhavetoltcompetitions,”Ms Youngersaid.

Ms Youngersaidtherewerestrict standardsfor registeringthebreed,andall purebredsweremicrochippedandentered on a worldwide data base to keep track of theirnumbers.

Shesaidtherewerethreehighly-rated stallionsstandinginAustralia, buta brokenhorse readytoridecouldcome with aheftypricetagduetotherarityof thebreed.

“Ithinktheywillcontinuetogrowin Australia,onceAustralians canget past theirsize.Whenyousitonthemtheyfeel ‘slidunderneath’,”shesaid.

“When ImovedtoAustraliahardlyanyone hadheardofthem,butheretodayit’snice toseepeoplehaveheardofthem.”

Helpingtoreduceplasticoutoflandfillswithprogram

VET-PHARMAgiantZoetisisworkingwith thedairysectortohelp reduceplastics outoflandfillwith anewsyringe recycling drop-offprogram.

Zoetishaspartneredwithplastics recycler TerraCycletolaunchaninitiativeinwhich syringesaremelted-downtomakeinto new itemssuchasgardenbeds,wateringcans andoutdoorfurniture.

The recyclingprogramtakesempty Teatsealsyringepackaging,whichis non-recyclableinkerbsidebinsandcan

generate significantwastedependingon herdnumbers.

The companyhas rolled-out100of these recyclingboxesinvetclinicsaround Australiaforfarmerstodropoffused syringes.

Sinceitslaunch,nearly500kilogramsof plastichavebeen returned.

Australiaproducesabout8000tonnes ofwastefarmplastics ayear,withonlya smallpercentagebeing recycled.

Zoetisseniorvicepresident,Lance

Williams,saidhewaspleasedwiththe responsefromdairyclinicsandfarmers.

“Thisisthefirsttimewe’verun ascheme likethisinAustralia,followingthetremendoussuccessof asimilarprogram implementedbyZoetisinNewZealand,” Mr Williamssaid.

“Whilst we haveonly recentlylaunched thisinitiativein Australia,we’vebeen impressed by the enthusiasm and uptake from veterinary clinics and dairy farmers wantingtoparticipateinthisprogram.”

TerraCyclegeneralmanager,Jean Bailliard,saidthenewpartnershipdemonstratedevenmorewayscommunities could reducetheirenvironmentalimpact.

“Teatsealismadefrom amixofplastics thatcan’tgoinkerbside recycling,”hesaid.

“ThroughournewpartnershipwithZoetis, we’reabletoprovidefarmersandveterinarianswithsolutionstodiverttheseplastics fromlandfillssotheycanbe repurposed.”

Programonoffer forhorse lovers

THOSEwhoalwaysdreamedofworking withhorsesbutdon’thavethebackground orhands-onexperiencearebeingencouragedtolookat afreeprogramtogetthem inthedoorandinto ajob.

ThoroughbredBreedersAustraliawas spruikingitsFast Trackprogramat Equitanatolurenewbiesfromnon-horsy backgroundsintojobsonstudfarms.

ProjecteducatorMaddie Timssaidthe programwaslaunchedin2018toprovide pathwaysinto arangeofcareerswith thoroughbreds.

“Thisishelpingtodevelopskillsonfarms andforpeoplewhodon’tfeeltheyknow anythingabouttheindustry,wecanhelp fillthesevacancies,”Ms Timssaid.

“Wetrytocreate acommunity,it’snotjust equinestudies,it’screating anetworkfor peopletobefully-employedonstudfarms.”

The 12-month program includes theoreticalunits,studplacements,mentorshipand race dayvisits,withsuccessfultrainees earning aCertificateIIIinHorseBreeding.

Ms Timssaidjobscould leadtomanaging stallionsoryearlings, vetnursing,through pedigreeanalystsorbloodstockagents.

“Wehavesomanyjobopportunities,if youarewillingtoputinthehardworkand havethepassionyoucantransformthis intoacareer,”MsTimssaid.

“It’snotjust anine-to-fivejob,andit’sso rewardingtosee afoalstandupforthefirst time. Thoroughbredsare soincredible,I

thinkthereisnoathletethatcancompare.”

ThoroughbredBreedersAustraliachief executive, TimRiley,saidthesectorwas

facingsimilarlabour challengestoother agricultureindustries,inwhichfarmpositionswerenotbeingfilled.

MrRileysaidthiswasbeingexacerbated byCOVIDandfewerbackpackerscoming intothecountry,withtheselabourissues alsobeingfeltbystudsintheUKand Ireland.

Hesaidthiswasforcingsome breedersto reassesstheirbroodmarenumbersdueto nothavingthestaffontheground.

“Wehaveissuesaroundchangingdemographics,withfewerpeoplegrowingup aroundhorsesanddevelopingtheskillsto workwithhorses,”MrRileysaid.

“Thisflightfromthecountrytothecity hasbeensignificantinthelastgeneration.”

ButMrRileysaidAustraliaboastedthe second-largestthoroughbredindustryin theworldbehindtheUS,andemployed 80,000people.

“Ifyouaresomeonewhoisthinkingabout acareerwithhorses,thethoroughbred industryoffershugeopportunities. We have thisenormousindustryandAustraliais seenasworldleader,”hesaid.

TophonourforLabertoucheJersey at comp

ALABERTOUCHEJerseycowwalked awaywiththetophonouratthisyear’s LeadingEdgeGeneticsOn-Farmcompetition,inwhich ajudgeassesseddairycows athome,mud-and-all.

The13thannualGippslandcompetition isoneofthelargestofitskindinAustralia, with387headofcattlefrom51farms enteredthisyear.

Morethan100farmersattendedthe presentationatalunch at theDrouin GolfClubwithjudgeCameronBawden.

MrBawdensaiditwas averybusyfour daysofjudginginGippsland.

“Itwascertainly acompetitionofgreat depth.Eachfarmhadanimalsoftremendousquality,”hesaid..

“Therecould onlybeone winnerin eachclassunfortunately.ButformeI waslooking forthe mostcorrect,wellbalancedcow.”

The overall champion and mature cow classwenttotheJerseyentry112siredby BontinoandownedbyHineandPhillips atLabertouche.

Thiswell-balanceddairycowwason her fifthlactationand wasa standout forMrBawden.

Thetwo-year-oldclasswas wonby DeenanandMackiewiththeirHolstein

2440siredbySidekick,whilethethreeyear-oldclasswenttoentry3632byDelta Lambda,ownedbyMPHnumbertwoat Labertouche.

AMoguldaughter5986ownedby Bill, Faye,Brett,andJodiLoughridge atPoowongNorthwonthefour-to-fiveyear-oldclass.Thisanimalalsowonthe three-year-oldclassinlastyear.

Oneofthemostcovetedprizeswasthe groupclassinwhichthejudgelooksat threeanimalsbythesamesire.

Thisyear’swinningpenwasownedby theLoughridgefamilyatPoowongNorth withtheirthree-year-oldMoguldaughter group.

Thiswasback-to-backfortheLoughridge family,whoalsowonthisclasslastyear with aMogulgroup.

Themostsuccessfulexhibitorwas atie betweentheLoughridgefamilyandMark and TrishHammondfromLabertouche.

Thehighestplacednon-registered Holsteinbreederwasawardedtothe Hammonds.

LeadingEdgeGeneticsownerandmanager,BradAitken,saidhe“marvelled”at thequalityofcowspresentedeachyear.

“Ittrulyhasbecomeoneoftheleading on-farmcompetition’shereinAustralia,”

asecondchance

ASOUTHGippslandwomanison amission tohelpgivebrumbies asecondchanceby findingthemlovinghomes.

MandyHillwaspartoffivebrumby groupsatEquitanaencouragingpeopleto consideradopting abrumby,fearingthese wildhorsesfacebeingculledin Victorian nationalparks.

MsHillestablishedMelbourneBrumby RehomersinKoo WeeRuptwoyearsago, takingonwildhorsestrapped and removed outofKosciuszko National ParkinNew South Wales.

Inthattime,shehadmanagedtofind homesfor180brumbies, who wereyarded

andtruckedto Victoriafromthenorthern edgeofKosciuszko.

MsHillsaidshestarted re-homingbrumbiesafterseeinganimagebeingcirculated onsocialmediaof afoalattemptingtodrink fromtheteatsofitsdeadmother.

In Victoria,brumbynumbersarebeing reducedoutoftheAlpineandBarmah national parks, includingbycapture, fencingoffareas, rehomingandtargeted ground-shootingbyprofessionals.

“It’s eitheradomestic lifeforthemorthey facedeath.Hence we wantthe cullingto stop, theseareourheritagehorses,”Ms Hillsaid.

“Iagreewith amanagementplan,butit’s notnecessarytokillthemwhentheycan

be rehomedorputin asanctuary.”

MsHillsaidsheusednaturalhorsemanshipmethodstogainthewildanimals’ trust,andthen taughtthemtoweara halter,leadandloadonthefloat.

Shesaiditwasimportanttocarefully matcheachhorsewith aprospectiveowner tomakesurethehorsedidn’tendupin thesalesyardstoanotheruncertainfate.

Shesaidmanybrumbieshadgonetofind successfulhomeswithkids,or asadult ridingclubmounts.

“Theyhavebeautifultemperaments,when theycometoustheyareablankcanvas, theyareopen,freesouls,”MsHillsaid.

“Theycomeinfrightenedastheydon’t knowwhat ahumanis,theyarenotcrazy

ordangerous.”

ParksVictoriastateditwasobligated tocontrolinvasivespeciesin Victoria’s national parks,includingferal horses, whichcauselong-termandlarge-scale damagetonativeplantsandanimals.

ButParksVicdoes notreleasethedetails oftheseoperationstoprotectthesafetyof itsstaff,contractorsandthecommunity.

“Parks Victoriaiscommittedtoworking withthecommunityinprovidingferal horsesfor rehomingwherepossible,in compliancewithethicalstandardsfor animalwelfare,” aParksVicspokesperson said.

Lokkenturnsheads

ATOONGABBIEhorseloverandher belovedmountwereraising afeweyebrows attheequestrianindustryexpoEquitana attheMelbourneshowgroundslastweek.

SophieTsebelisistheproud ownerofthe geldingKnightsHillLokken-a rare and ancientFjordhorse,whichisonlyoneof 200ofhisbreedinAustralia.

“Alotofpeople were cominguptohim, hedoesturna lotofheads.Hegets alot ofcommentsabouthismane,”Ms Tsebelis said.

“Ihadheardofthisbreedbuthadnever seenonebefore.WhenI firstsawhimI went ‘Oh my God!’ And it was love at first sight.Ithoughthewas so cuteandhehad anamazingtemperament.”

FjordhorsesweredevelopedinNorwayby the Vikingstracingback2000yearsago, andarenowlistedasendangeredonthe RareBreeds TrustofAustralia.

Thesolidandstoutanimalaverages between13and15hands-high andis distinguishedbyits remarkablebeigecoat andpunk-likespikedmanewith ablack

striperunningdownthecentre.

Lokkenwasstruttinghisstuffand enjoying alotofpatsintheBreedsVillage, raisingawarenessfortheFjord,whichis still apopularriddenorharnessmount inScandinavia.

Ms TsebelishascompetedLokkenwith success,most recentlywinningtheridden performanceponysectionindressageand jumpingwiththestars.

Shesaidhefeltlike abighorseunder saddledespiteisshortstatureatonly13.2 hands-high.

Fjord Promotional Group of Australia president,Rachel Young,wasatEquitana helpingtopublicisethebreed,whichfirst cametoAustraliain1986.

Ms Youngsaidtherewerea coupleof breedersinGippsland,oneinOmeoand anotherinUpperBeaconsfield,with afew individualownersdottedabout.

“Theyhavesuchgreattemperamentsand are very friendly safe and sensible family horses,”MsYoungsaid.

“Alotofpeopleheretodayarehappyto meetoneinpersonandareenjoyingthe factthereisonehereintheflesh.”

Countingthe eggs

HORSEownersarebeingencouragedto take amorestrategicapproachtoparasite control,withanewfaecal egg-countlab recentlylaunchedbyGOTAFE.

GOTAFEassessorswereatEquitana stressing theimportance oftargeting particularwormspeciesthroughcounting parasiticeggsinequinefaecalsamples.

AlabhaSopenedattheTAFE’s Wangarattacampusforhorseownersto sendinsamplesandthen receive aworm controlplanbackinthemail.

GOTAFEassessor, MelissaBlair,saidshe hopedthelabcouldbeexpandedacross thestate,orforpeopletobeable to learn howtocarryouttheirowneggcounts,as wasbeingdoneonlargercattleandsheep stations.

MsBlairsaidtraditional routinemethods ofwormingeverysix-to-eightweeksand rotatingparticularactiveingredientswere nolongerworking.

“There arelong-standingmythsabout worming; we arelikemythbusters,” Ms Blairsaid.

“Weare nowexperiencinghighlevels

of resistanceastheactiveingredientsin thesewormersarehaving alessereffect onparasites.

“Nowdrugcompanies areusing acombinationofactiveingredientsinwormers,but wecandetermineexactlywhichingredient tousewithfaecaleggcounts.”

Ms Blairsaidhorseswithloweggcounts maynotneedtobewormedatall,but horses returningmediumorhighcounts wouldneed atargetedparasitecontrol program.

However,shestresseditwasstill importantto routinelywormforbotsand tapewormseverysix-months.

MsBlairsaidthiswasespeciallyimportantconsideringthat80percentofequine colicwasparasiterelated.

“Weare seeinghorseswormed regularly, buttheyarestill havinganimpactoncolic orgastro-intestinalpainaswormersare noteffectiveornotworkingonspecific species,”shesaid.

“I think it’s a lack of education, and this iswhyeggcountsareimportant.Thiswas understoodincattleandsheepbutwe arestartingtounderstandthisinhorses.”

Albanesebackingsustainability

THEPrimeMinister,AnthonyAlbanese,has backedAustralia’ssustainablymanaged nativeandplantationtimber industries role,in achievingAustralia’snetzeroemissionsgoalandendingglobaldeforestation.

Speakingatthe AustralianForest ProductsAssociation(AFPA)Members DinnerinCanberra recently,MrAlbanese congratulatedAFPAandtheNational FarmersFederation(NFF) forleadinga jointagricultureandforestrydelegation totheclimatetalksjustconcludedinEgypt.

HewasadamantthatAustralia’ssigningoftheForestandClimateLeaders Partnership(FCLP)atCOP27,initiatedby theUK,wascompletelyconsistentwith supportingclimatesmartforestrysuchas ispracticedinAustralia:

“The Partnershipisconsistentwithour sustainablenativeforestrypractices,andit willseeusfocusonpromotingsustainable productionandtrade,alongwithscalingup regionalcarbonmarkets,”hesaid.

“Wewillworktogethertomeetour commitmentsandprovidenewandyet-tobe-developedrenewableforestmaterialsto helpmoveAustraliato anetzeroeconomy.”

MrAlbanesealsobackedthevitalrole ofAustralia’stimberplantationsectorin meetingAustralia’snet zeroemissiongoals. Hecommittedtoworkingwiththesectorto maximiseitsopportunitiesinthe carbon market by removingregulatorybarriersin theEmissionsReductionFund.

“Iknowtheplantationindustrywantsto playitspartinachievingnetzeroemissions, andwewant toworkwithyouindoingjust that,”hesaid.

“Onethingwe’reparticularlykeento do is to ensure that your sector can fully participatein generatingandbenefiting fromcarboncredits.”

MrAlbanesesaidthegovernmentwas undertakinganindependent reviewofits carboncreditssystemsoAustraliacan benefitfrom astrong,crediblemarketplace.

“We’llcontinue toworkwithyouto remove barrierstoinvestmentinplantationsand farmforestry,includingchangestothe waterinterceptionrule.”

Undersection20ABoftheCarbon FarmingInitiative,plantationforestry and farm forestryinareaswithaveragerainfall above600millimetresneedtomeetconditions,knownas‘thewaterrule’,thatdon’t

cramptheavailabilityofwater.

Theseconditionsincludehaving asuitablewateraccessentitlement,orbeingin aregionwheretreeplantingisunlikelyto have abadimpactonwateravailability.

Permanentenvironmentalplantings areexemptfromthewaterrule.Whereas permanentplantingsthatarenotenvironmentalplantingsaresubjecttothewater rule.

Thewaterrulewasamendedin2020; plantationandfarmforestry nowmeetthe waterruleiftheyareinregionspecifiedas

oneinwhichtreeplantingisunlikelytohit wateravailability.

Sincethen, regionshavebeenspecified in Victoria,NewSouth Wales, Tasmania, SouthAustraliaand WesternAustralia. Mostofthese regionsalignwiththeRegional ForestryHubs,whichareprioritylocations forforestryandtimbermanufacturing.

Thefederalgovernmentaimstoamend theCFIto removethewaterrule,which industrysayswould remove akey regulatorybarrierforplantationandfarmforestry projects.

ThechairofAFPA,DianaGibbs, thankedMrAlbaneseandtheMinisterfor Agriculture,FisheriesandForestrySenator, Murray Watt,fortheirsupportofforestry andits roleindeliveringclimategoals, timberforourhomes,regionaljobsand sovereigncapability.

“Iwasverypleasedtohavetheopportunity tothankthembothforthemorethan$300 millioninelectioncommitmentswhichhave beendeliveredinthebudget,”shesaid.

“Thesecommitmentswillhelpusdrive innovation todelivermoretimberfrom the sustainablyusedforestswealready have,aswellasstarttheurgentbusinessof addingmoreproductiontreestotheestate.”

MsGibbssaidthefederalgovernment hadcommittedtoplantinganotherbillion productiontrees.

“Weare wellbehindonthisgoal.Aswell asstockingthehardware shelves,a billionmoretreeswillalsobe amajordown paymentonthegovernment’s43percent emissionsreductiontarget,sowe really areinapositiontodeliver awin-winifthe policysettingsareright,”shesaid.

“Importantly,wealsohavebipartisan supportforthesepolicies,andwethank ShadowMinisterforFisheriesandForestry, SenatorJonnoDuniam, forspeakingin supportofthesepolicies.”

Caffinischosen

ASOUTHGippslandbeeffarmerhasbeen pickedfor aclimate-smartfarmingscholarshipvaluedatmorethan$3000.

MegCaffinwasoneof20farmerstowin theFarmers forClimate Actionscholarship, chosenfrom afieldof200applicants.

Theformerperi-urbanforesterwas workingwithcitiesonclimatechange mitigation,butisnowfocussingtransfer theseskillstotheagriculturesectorafter switchingtofarming.

“I amveryexcitedtobeawarded ascholarshipasitgivesmeaccesstothelatest researchinbuildingon-farmresilienceand accessto anetworkoflike-mindedpeople fromacrossAustralia,”MsCaffinsaid.

“It’sessentially afast-trackapproachto building resourcecapacityinclimatesmart farming,whichcouldotherwisetakeyears ofshortcoursesorpostgraduatestudies toundertake.”

Scholarshipparticipantswillgain theknowledgetobecomeleadersin

climate-smartagricultureandincreasing the resilienceoftheirfarms.

Theywill receivetrainingfromNobelPrize winnersandexpertsfromAustralia’sleadinguniversities,culminatingin athree-day triptoCanberratomeetpeers,politicians andindustryexperts.

Participantswillalsomeetsmallandlarge farmholdersfromeachstateandterritory.

“I’m reallylookingforwardtothe opportunitytolearnfromleadersacross thecountryandshareideas withinthe network,”MsCaffinsaid.

Farmers forClimateActionoutreach coordinator,EllenLitchfield,saidshewas “blownaway”bytheinterestfromfarmers keentolearnaboutbuildingresilienceand reducingtheircarbonfootprints.

“Farmersareonthefrontlinesofclimate impacts,including drought,bushfiresand recentfloods.Theyarereadytoactto protecttheirfarmsforthefutureandthey arekeentolearnmore,”MsLitchfieldsaid.

Recycled plastic being used

WESTERNAustralianprocessorBrownes Dairyisnowusing recycledplasticinits yoghurt,creamanddessertpackaging, saving2.7millionnewplastictubsfrom hittingtheshelveseachyear.

Theinitiativeishelpingtokeepplastics outoftheoceanwithprojectionsthatthe world’soceanswillcarrymoreplastic volumethanfishby2050.

Thenewyoghurttubswillalsobefully recyclableinkerbsidewaste.

BrownesDairychiefexecutive,Natalie Sarich-Dayton,saidtheywereworking withZeroPlasticOceans-certifiedcompaniesHengHiapIndustries andPakPot toaddresstheproblem

“BrownesDairyisshowingour

commitmenttosustainabilitythrough action,”saidMsSarich-Dayton.

“WewerefirsttointroduceAustralia’s most sustainablemilkcartonsandwe wantedtopushtheenvelopeagainby using recyclable ocean-bound plasticin ouryoghurttubs.

“BrownesDairywantstoensurethat thenextgenerationofAustralianfamilies notonlygettoenjoythegoodnessand freshnessofourproducts,buttheycan dosoknowingweusethemostsustainableyoghurttubsavailable.”

Browneshasalsobeen asignatory totheAustralianPackagingCovenant Organisation to keep packaging materials out oflandfill.

AS ahighschoolstudent,JessicaKnight hadtheambitiontoworkinagriculture.

Butthewordsof acareersadviseralmost shatteredthatdream:“Girlsdon’tdoAg, youcan’tdothat.”

MsKnighthassinceprovedthatadviser wrong,todayowningandoperatingher owndairyfarmnearStratford,together withherhusbandStephen.

It’stheculminationof alifelongfascinationwithfarming,forgedbyherchildhood spentinKhancoban,locatedinthefoothills oftheSnowyMountainsinNewSouth Walesnearthe Victorianborder.

Althoughherparentswerenotfarmers–theywerebothemployedbySnowyHydro –shespentmuch of hertimesurrounded by peoplewhowere.

“Ihad myGrampaonthefarmandan unclewhowas adairyfarmer,and Ilived in acommunity wherewewereafarming community –alotofthekidsthat Iwentto schoolwithcamefromfarms”MsKnight said.

Aftergraduatingfromhighschool,Ms Knightstudiedatuniversityandobtaineda lawdegreebeforeenteringintotheindustry shesoadored.

Sheandherhusbandboughttheirfarm sevenyears ago,whichinthattimehas gonefromstrengthtostrength.

“Whenwe boughtit,weweremilking 180cowsandnowwe’remilking450,” MsKnightsaid.

“It’sbeenverymuch agrowthphasefor us –we’vedone alotofcapitalinvestment, we’vejustfinishedbuilding abrandnew dairy,andmodernising thefarmto, Iguess, getridoftheriskfactorsthat were involved init.”

MsKnightdescribesthe rolesofsheand herhusbandonthefarmas“traditional”.

“He’supfirstandearlyandactually goesoutandmilksthecows,and Idothe calf-rearing,whichisusuallythejobthat falls tothefemales,”MsKnightexplained.

“Andthenalloftheofficeworkandthat

sortofthinghasnaturallyfallentome… becausewhenweboughtthefarm, Ihad twokidsundertwo(yearsold),sogetting outonthefarmasmuchwasn’tasmuch apossibility.”

Thereare nowthreechildrenliving onthe farm–agednine,sevenandfive –whoall enjoythelifestyleasmuchastheirmother does.

“Theylovegettingoutonthefarm,”Ms Knightsaid.

“AssoonasStephenwalksinthedoor, they’relike,‘Dad,whatjobareyoudoing next?’

“They’rehappy to comeandhelpfeedthe calveswithme,andgettingtogoanddo thetractorjobswithDadisthebestthing.

“Soanythingthattheycangetoutandbe involvedin,theywanttobethere.”

Inadditiontoherworkonthefarm,Ms Knightisactivelyinvolvedwithnumerous leadershipandadvocacy rolesinthe region.

She’s amemberofthe Young Farmers AdvisoryCouncil,EastGippsland Young DairyNetwork, WomeninDairyEast, andmost recentlywasappointedtothe GippsDairyBoard– allgroupsthatare passionateabout supporting youngpeople, andespeciallyyoungfemalesinthedairy industry.

AndaccordingtoMsKnight,there’sno shortageoffemaleswantingtoenterthe industry.

“Atthemomentwe’vegot ayounggirl fromIrelandwho’s abackpackerwho’s workingforus,andwe’vegotanother younggirlwho’sonlybeenfarmingsix months,”MsKnightsaid.

Andifbeing afarmhanddoesn’tappeal, MsKnightaddsthat“there’s alotofother possibilities”.

“There’s researchandcommunications (also)–it’snotjusttheon-the-farmjobs thatmaketheagriculturesupplychain,” shesaid.

Butforthosewhoaresimplywantingto entertheindustry,MsKnight’sadviceis aboveallelse:“Youdon’ttake‘No’foran answer.”

Beawareofblue-green algaein farm watersupplies

AGRICULTURE Victoriaiswarning livestockownerstobeawareofbluegreenalgaein farm watersuppliesand standingfloodwater, whichcanharm animalsifingested.

Thewarningcomesasflooding combined withwarmerweatherhas producedfavourableconditionsfor blue-greenalgaetothriveinwater supplies.

Seniorveterinaryofficer, Dianne Phillips,saidlivestockownersneeded to remainalertasblue-greenalgaecan bepoisonous.

“Asthereisnospecifictreatmentfor blue-greenalgaepoisoning,producersshouldcheckstandingbodiesof waterandfarmwatersuppliesdailyfor blooms,asthis remainsthemosteffectivewayofpreventingstock deaths,”Dr Phillipssaid.

“Blue-greenalgalbloomstypically appearassurfacescumthatlookslikea suspensionofgreenpaint,oftenwithan earthysmell.However,thecolourmay rangefrompalegreentodarkbrown.”

Deathscanoccurwhenanimalsdrink toxinsproducedbytheblue-green algae,oftenwhenitisconcentratedon thedown-windsideof awaterandhas formed adense,surfacescum.

Animalswhohaveconsumedbluegreen algaltoxinmayappearillvery rapidly,stagger,collapse,convulse and die –typicallywithin24hours –dependingonthetoxicityofthebloomandthe concentrationofthetoxin.

Thosewhodon’tdieimmediately often

sufferfromsevereliverdamage.This mayleadtothedevelopmentofjaundice -theyellows -orphotosensitisationover thenextfewdays.

Livestockthat recoverfromtheseailmentsoftensufferfromchronicill-thrift.

If asuspiciousbloomisnoticed,the watershouldbeisolatedasquicklyas possible,and asafealternativesupply provided.

“Where possibleproducersshould identifyanalternativewatersupply, priortotheirprimarysourceoflivestock drinkingwaterbeingaffectedbya bloom,”DrPhillipssaid.

“Theremaynotbetimetoidentify analternativewatersourceoncethe primarywatersupplyisaffected.

“Werecommendlaboratorytestingof thewatersupplyforthepresenceof blue-greenalgaeand apost-mortemor examination ofdeadorsickanimalsby aveterinarian.”

Contaminatedwatershouldnotbe usedtoirrigatevegetablesandfruitor comeincontactwithplantsbeinggrown forfood.

Thisisparticularlyforfruitandvegetablesthataremostlyeatenrawsuchas apples, grapes, tomatoes,strawberries, cabbagesandothersaladgreens.

DrPhillipssaiddogswerealsoprone topoisoningastheycanswiminfarm waterandshouldbekeptawayfrom suspectwatersources.

Christmas Wishes

Christmas is a time to express our thanks to those we care about It’s an opportunity to let them know how much we appreciate them No one is more deserving of this than our farmers

With the weather this year bringing unforeseen floods, phenomenal winds and out of season temperatures, it would be easy to give up But, not our resilient, determined to get the job done, men and women of the land

Without them there wouldn’t be any toast for breakfast, meat for the Sunday roast, veggies to give us the vitamins we need and dairy products for all our favourite, creamy, desserts

As always they have somehow managed to produce enough crops and livest to keep our nations reputation as ‘The Lucky Country’ and because of them we truly are just that.

Victoria has a wonderful farming community

So, from all of us at the Gippsland Farmer we want to let our farmers kno that this Christmas we are incredibly thankful for all the early morning long hours and back breaking efforts you put in every day

JANFitzgeraldhasbeenelectedchairof DestinationGippsland.

MsFitzgeraldsucceedsNickMurray, who retiredfromtheboardafterservinga three-yeartermaschair.

Despitea challengingenvironment for thevisitoreconomy,2021/22was ayear ofachievementforDestinationGippsland.

Duringthepast12months,itwas awardedGoldinthe Victorian Tourism AwardsandtheAustralian TourismAwards forDestinationMarketing,andwonthe prestigiousAustralianMarketingInstitute NationalAwardforBrandRevitalisation.

During2022,Gippslandshowedstrong signsofrecoverybyattractingthemost visitorsofany regionin Victoria,and expenditurehitanall-timehighwithmore than$1.5billionspentbyvisitors.

MsFitzgerald,whowaselectedchair ofDesitnationGippslandatits recent annualmeeting,has beenthechairof

RURALCouncils Victoriahascalledfora dedicatedrural“BuildBackBetter”fund inthewakeof theongoingfloodscrisis acrossthestate.

RuralCouncils Victoriachair,CrMaryAnnBrown,said‘BuildBackBetter’should bemorethanjustanemptyslogan.

“Followingthestateelection,weneed thenextstategovernmenttoestablisha betterment fund to ensure that roads and other assets are repaired or replaced to a standard thatcanwithstandfuturenatural disasters,”shesaid.

“Ruralcouncilsacrossthestate –manyof whichhavebornethebruntofthefloods–arestillassessingthedamage, but repairs

to the required standard are likely to total billionsofdollars.

“Eachruralcouncilis responsiblefor thousandsofkilometresoflocal roads, butdon’thavetheratebasetobeable toaffordadequateroad repairs,evenin normaltimes.

“Victoria’sfoodproducers,manufacturers, transport operators and residents need a dedicatedfundtoensurethat roadsare constructed, repaired or reconstructed to astandard thatcanwithstandfrequent naturaldisasters.Thismeansgenuine long-termthinking.”

CrBrownsaidthatinvestingupfront couldlower,andinsomecaseseliminate,

non-executivedirector.

She hasdiverseexperienceacross corporate,not-for-profitandgovernment sectors,withparticularskillsingovernance,strategy,sustainability,financeand retail.

MsFitzgerlandisalso agraduateofthe AustralianInstitute of CompanyDirectors andCPA Australia.

“Ihave alongconnectiontoGippsland throughfamily,workandholidays,and am afrequentvisitortobeautifulMetung whereIhave asmallproperty,”shesaid.

“Iampassionateabouttheopportunity tomake adifferenceinthelivesandlivelihoodsofthepeopleofGippsland.

“Iwanttothanktheboardfortheirsupportinelectingme,andlookforwardto continuingthe workwe doto supportthe tourismindustry.

“Iespeciallywanttoacknowledgethe tremendouscontributionmadebyNick

Murray,wholedtheorganisationthrough averychallengingperiodsince2019,and toboarddirectorMichelleDickson,who retiredafterfiveyearsofterrificserviceon theboard.”

JoshSingh,General managerofMansi onRaymond -apremiumaccommodation propertyinSale,hasalsojoinedDestination Gippsland.

DestinationGippslandisthe regional tourismboard,ownedbythesixlocal governmentsinGippsland.

DestinationGippslandisgovernedbya boardofdirectorsincludingJanFitzgerald, Neil Travers,NicolaPero,AndrewClarke, JoshSingh,AnthonyBasford,KerrynEllis, StevePiasente,DavidMorcom,Ali Wastie andMarkDupe.

Itsroleistoinspire,influenceandlead positivetourismoutcomesthroughpartnershipsacrossGippsland.

repaircostsafterfuturenaturaldisasters.

“Pooranddamagedrural roadscost everyoneinthestate.Theyslowdownand damagefarmandtransportvehicles,pushingupthecostoflabourand repairs -all ofwhichispaidforwithhigherpricesfor foodandotheritemsatthesupermarket andelsewhere,”shesaid.

“Roadusersinrural Victoria areoverfour times more likely to die on our roads than thoseinMelbourne. Withflooding continuing to wash away and damage roads, it is time that a Victoria-wide roads emergency isdeclared.”

Theinvestmentin urgentrepairsand thebettermentfundare additionalto

the road-funding requestsinRCV’sState ElectionPlatform–launchedbeforethe floods –whichcallsfor:

 The reinstatementoftheFixing CountryRoadsprogram($200million overfouryears).

 Anadditional$200millionperyear overfouryearsforRegionalRoads Victoria’supgradeandmaintenance programforthe regional roadnetwork, and  Atotalof$10millionperyearover fouryearsfor roadsidevegetation managementandweedcontrolon arterial roads.

Brewerisscholarshiprecipient

GARDINERFoundation Tertiary Scholarshiprecipient,LaurenBrewer, neverthoughtlifewouldleadhertoher currentworkplace, aremoteminesiteinthe GibsonDesert,locatedthreehoursnorth ofKalgoorliein WesternAustralia.

Sheistheonlyparamedic,supported byone nurseandan emergency services officer,rotating withanotherhealthcare teamontheir weekoff,workinginan Indigenouscommunity.

“Themost rewardingpartisseeingthe impactyoucanmakeinsuch aremote communityandworkplace,”saidLauren, whoisfrom Warragul.

“Peoplesaytheywanttogointohealthcare tomake adifference.Outthere,youactuallyseethedifference.

“Wehave toteachourselves, andwe have toadaptandfindsolutionsforproblems wedidn’teverthinkwe’dface.

“It’salso aboutbeingprepared. Youneed to beontopofthingslikeordersandusebydates.Ifyousuddenlyhave amassive incidentbutonlyhavethreeIVneedles, youhave aproblem.”

Applyingfor afly-in,fly-outjobinsucha remotelocationwasn’ttheeasiestchoice forLauren,butsofar,ithasbeenthemost rewarding.

“We’vealldoneourparttobethere.The selectionprocessisveryrigorousandtook threemonthsafterapplying,”shesaid.

“Ilovethecommunityandpeople.

Everyone knowseveryone.They’re my family now.Theyare allextraordinary andincredibly resilient;everyonebrings somethingdifferenttotheteam.Andthe vastnessandthebeautyoftheareaisvery special.Coming backhometoWarragul doesn’tfeel real.”

Workingandlivinginthesameplaceisn’t alwayseasy,butLaurenhasfoundwaysto separateherprivateandworklife.

“Ifyouarementallyalwaysatwork becauseyourhomeiswork,it’shardto keepontopofyourmentalhealth. You havetocompartmentalise. Youhaveto makesureyouseparatehomeandwork,” shesaid.

She’stakingcareofherselfphysically andmentally,ensuringshe’supforsuch ademandingjob.

“Youneedgoodmentalhealthandcoping strategies; Igotobedearly,forexample, andalwaysmakesuretoacknowledge when Ineed abreak,”Laurensaid.

“It’s alsoimportanttomanagestress. Don’tpushyourselfwhenyourbodyneeds something else.Reachoutifyouneedhelp. Ifyoucan’tmanageyourownstressand health,youcan’thelpanyoneelse.”

Lauren believes in trying different things andexploringmorethanoneavenue.

“Youhavetofindwhat’srightforyou becausethefirstthingmightnotbe it,” shesaid.

“I’vedoneCOVIDtestingandworkedfor Ambulance Victoriacasually,butknew it wasn’t what I needed right now in this

stage of my life. But I just needed to keep looking.Thingsdon’talwaysgotoplanand that’sokay.Goalsalsomightchangeover timeandthat’sokaytoo.”

Lauren’sfamily lived on abeeffarmat Neerimin WestGippslandbeforemoving tonearbyWarragul whenshewasfour.

Hergrandmaisstillfarming in Warragul today.

“Allmyearlymemoriesareofthefarm andcows,”shesaid.

Laurenfollowedinhergrandfatherand father’sfootstepswhenshe did her training tobecome avolunteerfirefighterattheage of16.

Whileshedidn’tsee herselfworking at afirestationfull-time,shehad afew opportunitiestoworkalongsideparamedics atemergencyincidents,whichinspiredher toapplyfor acourseatuniversity.

Butbeingabletogotouniversitywasn’t justaboutgettingacceptedintothecourse; shealsohadtofind awaytomovetothe city.

“Iwasthefirstpersoninmyfamilytoeven considergoingtouni.Beingfrom arural town, Ididn’tevenknowanyonewho’d gonetouni. Ididn’tknowwhattheoptions were,”shesaid.

Laurenappliedfor aGardiner Tertiary Scholarshipafterseeinganarticleabout itinthelocalpaper;shedidn’tthinkshe had achancetoactuallygetit.

“Ineverevenexpectedtohearback.But itwas reallyexcitingtogettheinterview,” shesaid.

“Travellingbackandforthfromuniversity wouldhavetaken alotoftime,so IknewI had tomove. Iticked the requirementboxes enoughforthescholarshipandthoughtI’d giveit ashot.”

Whenshegotwordthatshe receivedthe scholarship,itmeantshewasable tomove togotouniversity.

“Withoutthescholarship,itwouldhave been anightmare.Itwasn’tgoingtobe doable,”Laurensaid.

“Thescholarshipwas acriticalpartin mylifewhichhasledmetotheworkI’m innow. Idon’tknowwhereIwouldhave endedupwithoutit.”

Laurencontinuestoeducateherselfand iscurrentlyenrolledinGraduateCertificate inIndigenousCulturalCompetencyand isplanningondoingherCertificateIIIin EmergencyMineResponseandRescue.

“Ineedtoimprovemyunderstanding onhowtocommunicateandworkwith Indigenouscommunitiesandeveryoneon site,and Ineedtoupskillso Icanofferthe bestassistancewhenit’sneeded,no matter thesituation,”shesaid.

“Out here,everydayissomethingnew. Itmakesmewanttobethebest Icanbe. Theenvironmentisinspiring. Igooutthere, and Iwanttodoandlearnmore.”

ApplicationsfortheGardinerFoundation

Tertiary Scholarships close on November 21,2022. To be eligible,studentsmuststart theirfirstyearoffull-timetertiarystudyin 2023and needtorelocatefrom homedue to studycommitments.

Newpodcastseries shineslightonsafety

THE VictorianFarmersFederation has launchedanewpodcastseriesaimedat improvingsafetyforfarmingchildrenwith itsMakingourFarmsSaferProject.

VFFvice-presidentandchildsafetyon farmssteeringcommitteechair,Danyel Cucinotta,saidtheinitialtwo-partseries featuredtipsto reduceaccidentsinvolving kidsonfarms.

MsCucinottasaidthecampaignfocuses onbetteroutcomesforchildrenaged10 to15whoareperformingwork related taskonfarms.

“Essentially,wewanteveryoneonthe farmtobe abletogohomesafelyatthe endofthenight,”MsCucinottasaid.

“Influencingchangeisdifficultnomatter thesubject.Influencingculturalchangesis evenharderandthat’swhatthesepodcasts arestrivingtodo.”

The podcastseries featuresRoyal Children’sHospitaltraumaand burns unithead, Warwick Teague, who issharing

hisinsightdealingwithchildinjuryand trauma.

“Treatinginjuriesisimportant,but preventinginjuries issomuchmore important,”Dr Teaguesaid.

“Everyfivedaysin Victoria, achildis injuredon aquadbike. We knowthatisan underestimate,becausenotallareserious injuries.”

Dr Teaguesaidhehopedthepodcast wouldspark aconversation to reduce numberofinjuriesinvolvingchildrenon farms.

“Itgoesagainstthestatusquotosay‘No’ andchangewhathaspreviouslyalways beendoneinthepast,”Dr Teaguesaid.

“That’sexactlyhowweendupwith injuriesonfarmsorathome.Thenwe areleftmanagingtheinjury.We would lovetoneverseeit.

“Isthereabetterthingtodoinourday, lifeoryearthantosaveanother?”

Thepodcastseriescanbestreamedby searching VictorianFarmersFederation.

Extensionofficers appointedto Greenlife

THEnurseryindustrypeak bodyGreenlifeIndustry Australiahasappointedtwo newextensionofficersto helpprotectthe$2.8billion industry.

Theextensionofficers arebeingfunded by Hort Innovationunder anational biosecurityandsustainable plantproductionprogram toengagewithproduction nurseries.

Itcomesastheindustryis facingextremechallengesfrom emergingexoticandendemic plantpests,climate change, andchanging regulations.

Theofficerswillhelpprovide productionnurserieswith crucialguidance andsupporttomitigateanyrisksto productivityandprofitability.

GIAnationalbiosecurity manager,JohnMcDonald, saidthe extensionofficers wouldworkalongsideindustry toenhanceplantprotection, biosecurity, andsustainable croppingsystems.

MrMcDonaldsaidtheteam wouldprovideon-sitesupport programsunderAustralian PlantProductionStandards.

“Eachgrower’sjourney towardsbestmanagement practice looks different, faced withchallengesuniquetotheir

region,crops,andproduction type,”MrMcDonaldsaid.

“Our roleistohelpgrowersgettheinformationthat theyneed,toeffectivelyand sustainabilityenhancetheir plantproductionprocedures throughtheimplementation ofbestmanagementpractices, and helpingguide them throughtheadoptionand implementationprocesses.”

Thisyear,theteamofextensionofficershascompleted morethan1200growervisits acrossAustralia.

“Representingthefrontline ofbiosecurity,plantprotectionandsustainableplant production,thereare now fiveextensionofficersacross thecountry,providingon-thegroundsupporttoindustry,” MrMcDonaldsaid.

“With alargerteam,their workwillgofurtherinincreasingthe reachofbest-practice innovationandadoption bygrowers,toensure that industry isabletocontinue sustainablyproducinghealthy stock,socommunitiesare equippedtoadapttoclimate changerisks,accessplantbased foodsandprotect thelivelihoodofmillionsof Australians.”

Dealing with mastitis

WITH themuddyconditionsfrom thefloodsandtheongoingwet conditions,producersneedto beawareofanincreasedriskof mastitisintheircows.

AgricultureVictoriadairyindustrydevelopmentofficer, Richard Smith,saidcowsstandinginwet paddocks andmovingthrough muddyanddamagedlaneways hadanincreasedriskofmastitis.

“Thereare anumber ofsimple thingsfarmers cando to manage theriskofmastitisdevelopingin theircows,includingmaintaining goodhandhygiene whenmilkingandensuringteatsareclean beforeandaftermilking,”hesaid.

MrSmithsaidadoptingthe followingsimplepracticeswould

helpfarmersmanagetheriskof mastitisdevelopingandspreading inthecurrentconditions:  Washanddryallteatsbefore cupsgoon.

 Use alow-pressure,highvolumewatersupplycombined withmanualcleaning.  Ensuremilkersweargloves.

Drywithpapertowels.

Stripcowseverydaytodetect, treatandisolateclinicalcases.  Makedailyquarterstripping aroutine.  Alwayswearglovesandavoid gettingmilkonyourhands.  Checkclinicalcasesatnext milking.  Coverallsurfacesofallfour teatswithteatdisinfectant.

Healthierskiniseasiertokeep clean.

 Tryandkeepteatscleanfor atleastanhourafterthecows leavethemilkingshed.

 Keeptheareaimmediately outsidethedairyexitascleanas possible.

 Havefeedavailablewhen cowsleavetheshed.Thiscould beon afeedpad.Ensurethis areacanbescrapedto reduce mudandmanurebuildup.

MrSmithsaidfarmersshould talktotheirmilkqualityadviser, veterinarianordairyfactoryfield officer toadapt thesestepstotheir farmsituation.

Google request

WESTGippslandCatchmentManagement AuthorityiscallingontechgiantGoogleto correct awronglynamedwaterwayaround CowwarrandHeyfield.

Googlehasbeenincorrectlynaming RainbowCreekastheThomsonRiver,when infacttheyaretwoseparatewaterways.

WGCMAprojectofficerDavidStorksaid “allwewantisourRainbowback”.

“Thisismorethanapettyannoyance, riversand otherwaterwaysare major landmarksinGippslandsohavingthem labelledcorrectlyforvisitorsandlocalis important.”

RainbowCreekformed as abreakaway

fromtheThomson Riverinthe1950s,and atthetimecausedmajorerosion,lossof productivefarmland,and alossofflow intotheThomsonRiver.

ThefloodthatformedRainbowCreekled to asecessionistmovementforlandholders todeclare aseparatestatewithin Victoria.

“Ifitwas acaseofclickingourheels three timesandwishingitwereso,thatwouldbe lovely.Unfortunately,thisisGooglewe’re dealingwith,soweneedtotryanother tack,”MrStorksaid.

“Let’shopethatthiscampaigncanwork andthatdreamsthatwedaretodream, reallydocometrue.”

Newtechnologytrial

FARMERSarecallingforgreaterface-tofacesupportandinformationto reduce emissions,in apolllastmonthcarried-out byFarmersforClimateAction.

Farmersfor ClimateActionpolled550 farmersandfound90percentwerekeen totrialnewtechnologyto reduceemissions, but alackofinformation andcostwerethe twobiggestbarriers.

Italsofoundthat93percentof respondentswerepreparedtochange farming practicesifitwouldbenefitthemandhave apositiveimpactonclimatechange.

Yet79 percentoffarmerspolledsaid theyhadnotbeeninvolvedinanypractical emissionsextensionprograms.

FarmersforClimateAction,which representsmorethan7000farmers,iscalling for anationalpolicyaroundclimatechange andagriculture.

Theorganisationwillbe releasing areport onwhatthisshouldincludeearlynextyear.

FarmersforClimateActionchiefexecutive,FionaDavis,saidthesurveyconfirmed farmers wereleading thewayonemissions reduction.

DrDavissaidthiswasthroughplantingtrees,investingin renewableenergy andexperimentingwithseaweedfeedsto reducemethane.

“Butitalsosignalstothegovernmentthat farmerswanttogofurther,”DrDavissaid.

“The survey revealsopportunitiestohelp farmersby rollingoutgroundstafftorun carbonandmethane reductiondemonstrationprograms.

“Extensionofficers,whovisitfarmsto runpracticalworkshops,arepartofthe answerhere.”

DrDavissaidfarmerswere“excited”to embracecleanenergytechnologies,but were looking to the government to provide supportthroughfinanceoptionsand education.

ThousandsflocktoMelbournefor

MOREthan30,000horseloverspoured throughtheturnstilesattheMelbourne Showgroundslastmonthforthefour-day equestrianextravaganzaEquitana.

Theindustryexpomade acome-back after afour-yearhiatus,whichshowcasedfinehorsemanship,rarebreeds, tradestalls,competitions,workshops, lecturesandtheSaturdaynightMane Eventgala.

Asell-outcrowdwatchedsomeshowstoppinghorsemanshipintheMane Event,whichhonouredthehistoryof thehorseinAustralia.

Theshowfeaturedbrumbies, alight horsechargewithbayonets,stock horses,Arabiansandthoroughbreds.

TwoGippslandersstolehearts,with ValenciaCreeklocalJuliaRetishowing offherwhipcrackingskills,andTyers

horsemanJasonHunterridinghis WalerstallionClaytonEurekaGold.

Itculminatedinsome‘wow’moments withtopAussiehorsemanGuy McLean,whomanagedamazingfeats oflibertywork,includingaskinga bullocktoliedownandthenhavehis stockhorsestandoverthetop.

Meanwhile,toplevelequestrianstook partincompetitionsincludingGrand Prixdressageandshowjumping, horseball,mountedgames,barrel racing, aponyclubchallengeand Arabianled-classes.

Femaletrainerswereinthespotlight thisyearwiththeThe Wayofthe Horsecompetition,wheretheyhad anhour adaytoworkwithpreviously unhandledyoungstockinfrontofa crowd.

Equitana to

top horsemanship

Bonedry-Readytoburn

CLIMATEChangeisundoubtedlya realityandeverybodyseemstohave theirideasabouthowtodealwithit. Onepointisclear …Weare in acycle offlood,fireanddrought! Amuch moreimportantsubjectrightnow,is thepotentialformassivebushfiresthis seasonafteralltherainwe’vehad over winterandthe hugefuelloadthathas accumulated.

Australian Pump,whoseAussieFire ChiefPumpis regardedasthebest lightweightportablefirepumpinthe world,saythatfirefightingauthorities, arerighttobe concernedaboutthe potential formajorfiresassummer temperaturesmoveintothe30’s!

“Itonlytakesthreeorfourdaysof hightemperatureswithstrongwinds tofanfiresthatcouldbe reminiscent ofthe BlackSummer”,saidAussie PumpsChiefEngineer,JohnHales.

Thevolunteerfiriesdo awonderful job,butweallhavetoexceptthefact thattheycannotbeeverywhereatonce andthebiggestchallengewefaceis ourowncomplacency!

Australiansontheoutskirtsofmajor citiesor regionalcentresoftenchoose toliveinthe‘UrbanInterface’.It’s apleasantplacetolive, exceptina bushfireseason.

Mostpropertieswereunprepared withtheBlackSummerof2019/20, somewithfuelloads,shrubsandtrees, right nexttothehouse.Preparation beforethefireseasonhitsisessential withveryobviousprecautionstobe takenbeforeit’stoolate.

AUSSIE’SBUSHFIRE SURVIVALGUIDE

AUSTRALIANPump Industries producedthefirstBushfireSurvival Guidebackin2005.Sincethen,the companyhasbroughtoutnewand updatedversions.

“Beingpreppedforpotentialfire shouldbeanessential requirement. Runningaroundtryingtobuywater tanks,pumpsandsprinklerswhen youcanalreadyseethefirecomingis askingfortrouble”,saidHales.

TheSurvival Guide dealswith property preparation,precautions andpersonalsafetybutalsocovers everythingfromcropprotectionto livestocksafetyaswell.Itstresses theneedforpersonal responsibilityin preparingfortheworstandcanbean essentialguideforfarmersor‘blockies’.

FIGHTORFLIGHT

DECIDINGwhethertoleaveorstayisa

hardoneforthosewhohavelivestock. To stayandprotecttheanimals,means beingarmedandabletodefendthe propertywiththerightequipment. Thosefundamentals reallygetback tosufficientwaterfromtanks,dams or similar to be able to provide a ‘halo’ overthe roofofthebuildingtodefeat emberattacks.

Theother requirementis atopquality pumpwithsufficientperformanceto

beabletoprovidethatprotection.The pump’s reliabilityisvitallyimportant. AustralianPump’sFireChiefusesonly Hondapetrolenginesor Yanmardiesel drivestoprovidepower.

WHYAUSSIEISBEST

THEpumpbodyisbiggerandtherefore has alargerdiameterimpellerinthe standardmodel thantheopposition, providingmorepressure.Checkingout theperformancecurvesof aFireChief, comparedtoequivalent singleimpeller pumpsproducedbyDaveyorOnga, very respectablebrandsthatarewell known,has asuperiorhighpressure performanceof25%.

Thepumpisalsoequippedwith signaturefeaturesnotfoundonthe others.The threewayhead thatis thedischargeports,hasmetalcaps withchains,notplastic.Thestandard pumpismountedonsteelskidswith anti-vibrationmounts. Ahandycarry frameandeven atrolleyisavailable.

AlthoughthepumpsarealwayssuppliedwithHonda’s recoilstart,Aussie offerselectricstartand rollcagesasa standardproduct!

Volunteersandprofessionalfiries tellusthatit’showmuch wateryou canputatthefireatpressure that counts.It’snot amatterofhowmuch pressure youhavebutratherwhat volume you can get at pressure. With Aussie’s unique Fire Chief design, the big7”one pieceimpellerwill deliver 100 litres per minute flow, at over 60 metres head! That’s a lot of water to throwat afireatpressure!

BiggerversionsoftheFireChiefare availableintwinimpellerswith13hp Hondaengine,recoilandelectricstart options,thatwillprovideflowsupto 200litresperminuteat80metres head!

DON’T PAYTOO MUCH

AUSSIE’SFireChiefisonthemarket with arecommended retail price includingGSTof$880.“That’sa prettygoodpricefortheworld’sbest lightweightportablefirepump andone whichalsocomeswith auniquefive yearwarranty!”saidHales.

“We’venoticedsomepopularbrands offirepumpscomingoutwith retail pricesashighas$1,800!That’san awfullotofmoneyfor apumpthat doesn’thavethefeaturesoftheAussie FireChief! Watchoutforthirdworld cheapies.Buying a$300firepump from abigboxhardware storeisasking fortrouble. We sawpeopledownthe southcoastofNSWduringtheBlack Summerfireswiththirdworldpumps withleakingsealsandnoabilityto prime.Ifyouaregoingtoprotectyour property,buytherightproductthefirst time!Don’tpaytoomuch …don’tpay toolittle,”saidHales.

“Aussie’sphilosophyistoprovide greatproductsatfairprices.We backupourclaimswith auniquefive yearwarrantyonthepumpendsthat hasn’tbeenmatchedbyanyofour competitorssincewestartedthatfree advantageforusers20yearsago. We believeinvalueformoneyandlikeour dealersintreatingcustomersthesame waywe’dwanttobetreatedourselves”, saidHales.

Visitaussiepumps.com.auorcontact yourlocalAussiePumpsdealerfor yourfreeBushfireSurvivalGuideand informationonpumps

WorkexpandedacrossGippyAgG

INthreeshortyears,thevolunteer, farmeroperated GippslandAgricultural Group (GAgG)hasexpandeditswork:froma four-hectarecerealvarietytrialtomore than100hectaresand numeroustrials, generatingavastamountofmomentum andexcitementinitsranks.

TheSpring FieldDayshowcasedeverythingfromtheaffectchickenlittercanhave onsoil,towormburdensinsheep,fertiliser options andfodderoptionsforlivestock. Plus,somemuch-neededsocialisationfor localproducerscementedthegroup’s role asanagriculturalhub.

GAgGgeneralmanager,JenSmith,said thegrouphadprogressedgreatly.“We’ve come alongwayin ashorttime,andwe’re aboutmuchmorethancropping,”Ms Smithsaid.

“Weincludedeachofourfivepillars -pastures,fodder,soil,livestockandhavinga healthyfarmingcommunity.

“Thedaystartedwith asessionongenomics,whichwas reallywell received,and endedwith oneoftheworld’smosteminent climatescientists, DrRichardEckard, speakingaboutcarbon.”

MsSmithsaidthefielddayhadthelatest inbothsciencesdeliveredinpracticaland actionableways.

“Ourspeakersweresignificantandthe supportfromindustry,governmentand theEastGippslandand Wellingtonshires wasfantastic,”shesaid.

Genomicsspeaker,DanielAbernethy,said thetechnologywas a“fundamentalgame changer”.

“Wewant to seevariationwithin apopulation;ifyoucanseeit,youcanexploitit,” hesaid.

“Youpickthebest,buttheconceptis beingabletofinditveryquickly.”

Thedayattractedfarmersofalltypesand fromdifferentplacesacrossGippsland.

Theryegrassdemonstrationdiscussion wasledbyagronomistNicoleFrost,who coincidentallyhad recentlytakensoiltests atSekove’sproperty.

HillsidefarmerKaneStewartalsoasked

questionsonryegrassvarieties,tryingto findthevarietymostsuitedtohisoperation.

Assistedby TimBrownofAGFSeeds, thegroupdiscussedthe‘blind’ryegrass trials,timeofsowingandheadingdatesof theGAgGtrial,aswellastheforagecrop demonstration.

Itwasinterestingtoseethesaviourof thedryyears,barley,clearlynotenjoying thewetconditionsandalreadylayingover intheplots.

Anotherareathatsparkeddiscussionwas

thepitduginthechickenlitter/compost paddock,knownastheSoilAmelioration Demonstration,runinconjunctionwith DELWP.

Itdistinctly showedhow rootsystems could penetrate deeper into the clay below thetopsoil,asdidtheburiedchickenlitter.

GAgGchiefexecutiveofficer, Trevor Caithness,saidhewaspleasedtoseeso manynew faces attheGippslandResearch Farm.

“Thefactwecouldshowcasenearlyevery elementofdryland ag wasexcellent,”Mr Caithnesssaid.”Andtheenergy newmembersbringtoanorganisation iswonderful.”

Itwasthegroup’sfourth springfieldday; thefirstwaswhere afewfarmersstood around apaddockin2019; avirtualtour in2020;andmovingingroupsof20to meetCOVID regulationsin2021.

Thisyear’sspringdaysattracted130 registrationsandincludedtradestalls,as wellassupplying afreelunchwhereall attendeescould relaxandchattogether.

GAgGcollaborateswithallsorts oforganisations,includingtheGippslandSheep BreedersAssociation,whohaditswether trialsheepintheyardsforperusal,aswell astheEastGippslandFarmDog Group (EGFDG).

EGFDGmembersfinishedthedaywith sheepdogtrialdemonstrationsandan announcementofapartnershipbetween thegroupandGAgG.

EGFDGpresident,AndrewWhelan, announcedthegroupwasexcitedtopartner withGAgGandcall the GippslandResearch Farm home, and was also looking forward to using the research centre when it was builtin2023.

EastSaleAirport...........91mm

HoganIsland..............98.6mm

Latrobe Valley..........111.8mm

MountBawBaw.........280mm

MountMoornapa....127.2mm

WilsonsPromontory....156.2mm

Yanakie.....................125.4mm

YarramAirport...........76.8mm

Bairnsdale...................85.8mm

Combienbar.............131.2mm

(source:BureauofMeteorology.)

GaboIsland................26.2mm

Gelantipy..................105.6mm

LakesEntrance........102.2mm

Mallacoota..................53.8mm

MountNowaNowa...97.2mm

Omeo........................105.8mm

Orbost.........................56.4mm

MountHotham........394.6mm

PoundCreek............117.6mm

TotalYarding:1008(+192)

Therewereapproximately 750 exportand250 youngcattlepennedrepresenting an increaseof190headweek-on-week.Theusual buying groupwas presentbutnotalloperatingfullyin amostlycheapermarket.Qualitywas limitedinthegrown cattleandverygoodinthelarger selection of vealers. Tradecattleslipped50cto85c/kgon mostsales.Bullockslost15cto25c/kg. Manufacturingsteersgaveback30cto 40c/kg.Cowssoldfrommostlyfirm to dearer on somesales whileheavybullseased5cto10c/kg. Vealerssoldfrom358cto470c/kg. Yearlingtradesteersmadebetween424cand470c/kg.Yearlingheiferstothetradesoldbetween380c and 444c/kg. Grownsteersand bullocksmadefrom400cto452c/kg. Heavy Friesian manufacturingsteerssoldfrom308cto340cwiththecrossbredportionbetween320cand438c/kg.Mostlightandmedium weightcowsmadefrom224cto345c/kg.Heavyweightcowssoldmostlyfrom288cto380c/kg.Heavybullsmadebetween334c and 378c/kg. PAKENHAM LIVESTOCKEXCHANGE Monday, December5 VESTOCKEXCHANGE Monday,December5 TotalYarding: 171 (+21) Comparison Date: 24/11/2022 Category GradeScore Live Weight c/kg Estimated Carcassc/kg Estimated $/Head Weight Carcass LowHighAvgChangeAvgLowHigh Avg Bulls

Bulls

GrownHeifer

0-540D,1 271271271 NQ576.61029.81029.81029.8 540+D,2 326360334.6-16.2669.2195620471988.8

GrownSteer 500-600C,2400428417NQ772.2220524612317.8 600-750C,3410410410-34.0732.1307530753075 600-750C,4419452436.3-12.5779.62723.532102941.6 750+C,4 384434412.4-25.1731.73177.534723302.8

YearlingHeifer 200-280D,2 350350350 NQ673.1980980980 330-400D,2 368368368-52.0707.71398.41398.41398.4 400+D,2 380380380-36.0730.8180518051805

600+C,2 326362345.524.56172102.733252810.8 600+C,3 36036036030.5620.7302436183321 Cows 0-400E,1 223223223NQ531825.1825.1825.1 400-520D,1 266266266NQ604.51143.81143.81143.8 520+D,2305310307.5-2.6640.61616.518291722.8 520+D,4326352343.71.6670.91744.12487.12265.4 GrownHeifer 540+D,3384384384-2738.523042304 2304 540+D,4 330330330-27.5634.61960.21960.21960.2 Manufacturing Steer 540+D,1 330330330NQ687.51986.61986.61986.6 540+D,2284320302-43580.81831.819841907.9 540+D,3370370370-19.7685.2277527752775 VealerHeifer 330+C,3

428428428-72764.3160516051605 400+C,3

520+D,1 280280280NQ608.7154015401540 520+D,2 29032630914.3640.51667.517931729.5 520+C,3 370370370NQ711.5240524052405 GrownHeifer 0-540D,2 332350336.5NQ7011527.218901617.9 600-750B,3 450450450NQ775.9292529252925 750+C,4 424424424-26.0770.9328632863286

330-400C,3

32 THEGIPPSLAND FARMER December,2022 Victoria’smonthlyrainfalltotalsforNovember, 2022. ImageBureauof Meteorology. Thechanceofabove medianrainfallfromDecember to February. ImageBureauofMeteorology. NovemberRainfallObservationtotals forEasternVictoria

Vietnamworkerswillbewelcome

THENationalshavewelcomednewsthat farmerswillbeabletohireworkersfrom Vietnamunder acommitmentsignedin March.

AnEstimateshearinghasconfirmed Laborwillhonourthe‘Agriculture Visa’agreementwith Vietnam,aftera MemorandumofUnderstandingwas establishedbythepreviousCoalition government.

TheSenate ForeignAffairs, Defenceand TradeLegislationCommittee heardthe visawould begivenanothername,but importantly,wasbeinghonoured.

“AllowingworkersfromVietnamto cometoAustraliaon whatwaspreviously known asthe ‘Ag Visa’isawin forthe nationand aresultofhardworkbyThe Nationals,”theNationals’federalleader, DavidLittleproud,said.

“Wewelcomemigrantworkersfrom VietnamandarepleasedtheLabor GovernmentwillhonourtheAustralian Ag Visaagreement.”

TheAg VisawasdesignedtosupplementthePacificAustraliaLabourMobility (PALM)SchemeforworkersfromsoutheastAsia.SinceJune,the PALMScheme

hasbroughtin10,800workers.

MrLittleproudaddedtheEstimateshearingprovedLaborneededto reinstatetheAg Visa,tohelpeasethecostoflivingcrisis, ratherthan relyonthe PALMScheme, whichprovidesvisasforworkersfrom justninePacificislandsand Timor-Leste.

“Australianeeds172,000workerstoget productfromthe paddockto theplate rightnow,”hesaid.

“Thereare stillnotenoughworkers availableandthe PALMSchemewillnot beabletobringthemin.

“IurgeLabortohelpourfarmersand ourfamiliesandfindpracticalsolutions. The PALMSchemewillonlycontinueto increasefoodpricesbecausefarmerscan’t gettheworkerstheyneed.

“Whenthesupplyoffoodgoesdown,the costgoesup.”

TheEstimatesCommittee alsoheard therehadbeencorrespondencefora similar visaforIndia,whichtheLabor governmenthasincorporatedintothe PALMScheme.

DELWPissuesstrongwarning

THEDepartmentofEnvironment,Land, WaterandPlanning(DELWP) is reminding Victorianstoseekadvicebeforeremoving nativeplantsfromprivateorpublicland.

Unless avalidexemptionapplies, apermit is requiredin Victoriato remove,destroyor lopanynativevegetation,includingpaddocktrees,grasslands,wetlands,riparian areasandanynativeplantsinstateforests, nationalparksand reserves.Thisincludes treesalongfencelinesbetween privateand publicland.

DELWPsayslessthan50percentof Victoria’s originalnativevegetation -trees, shrubsandgrasses-remainsand itplays animportant roleforthestate’secosystems,includinghabitatfornativewildlife.

DELWPChiefBiodiversityOfficer,James Todd,saidthatnativevegetationonprivate landsupportsupto30percentof Victoria’s threatenedspecies.

“Manyspeciesarereliantonhabitaton privatelandfortheirongoingsurvival,” Mr Toddsaid.

“Maintainingandincreasingtheamount ofnativevegetationandhabitatonprivate landisimportanttoenableournatural environmenttoadapttoclimatechange.”

Severalillegalnativevegetationclearing caseshaveledtoconvictionsandfinancial penaltiesthisyear.

Inoneinstance, afarmerwasconvicted andorderedtopay $60,000 forcutting downdozensofmatureEucalyptustreesin theAnnyaStateForest,nearHeywood,after aConservationRegulatorinvestigation.

Additionally,the removalofnativevegetation affectingmaturetreesand/ortheir limbshaspotentialtoharmAboriginal scartrees.

Theseactivitiesmaytrigger requirements underthe AboriginalHeritageAct2006 beforeanyworkscanbeundertaken,so DELWP saysitis importantthatpeople understandtheirobligationstoensure compliance.

In Victoria,allAboriginalplaces,objects andancestral remainsareprotected.Itis

againstthelawtodisturbordestroyan Aboriginalplacewithouttheappropriate authorisation.

Adheringtothelawsaroundnativeflora ensuresthatlandholders conservethe

environment,protectculturalheritage, andavoidfacingbigpenalties.

To learnmore,visitwww.environment.vic.gov.au/native-vegetation/ native-vegetation-values

Lifesaving equipment

ALLCFAfiretrucksandoperational vehicleswillbecarryinglifesaving equipmentwiththehelpof1200 defibrillatorsdeliveredaspartofa roll-outtoalldistricts.

Thefinaldefibrillatorsfromthis rolloutweredispatchedfromtheCFA State LogisticsCentreinScoresby last month;allbrigadesshouldhavethem installedontheirvehicles.

Thedeviceswereboughtusingmore than$2.5millionofcommunitydonationstotheCFABrigadesDonations FundandtheCFAPublicFund.

CFAchiefofficer,JasonHeffernan, saidinstalling defibrillators to every CFAbrigadeandgroupvehiclewould helpbetterprotect volunteer firefightersand Victoriancommunities.

“Someofthefirstdevicesthatwere placedonCFAfiretruckshavealready beenusedtosavelives,”saidMr Heffernan.

“Defibrillatorswerealso usedbyour volunteerstohelpsave aNewSouth WalesNational Parksand Wildlife Servicefirefighterduringthe2019/20 fireseason,and have beenusedto helpourmembersaswell.

“Having thisequipmentoneveryCFA firetruckmeansourmemberswill beabletostaysafeandhelpother membersofthecommunity.”

CFAandBrigadesDonationsFund Chair,GraemeJilbert,saiditwas crucialthatdonatedfundshavea directbenefittovolunteers,brigades andthecommunitiestheyserve.

“Wecannotthankourdonorsenough fortheircontributions,”hesaid.

“Thosewhodonatecanbeassured thatinitiativessuchasthisdefibrillator rolloutwillcertainlyhelpimprove membersafety.”

Bushneedshumanintervention

COMMENT

SOUTH-EASTAustralia’sbushfirecrisis culminatedinthe devastatingbushfire seasonof2019and2020thatburntnearly 25millionshectaresofbush.

Ournew researchdemonstrateshow thescaleofthisdisasterblewoutdueto legislationintroducedinthe1970s,which wasbasedonideathatnatureshould belefttogrowfreelywithouthuman intervention.

We investigatedthebushfirehistoryof oneoftheworsthitareas:Buchanon GunaikurnaiCountryin Victoria. We foundnobushfiresburnedtherefor almost acenturyuntilthemid1970s, followingtheestablishmentoftheLand ConservationActof1970-legislationthat soughttoprotecttheAustralianbushfrom humans.

Thislegislationbannedfarmersfrom mimickingAboriginalburningpracticesby usingfrequentfirestopromotegrassfor livestock.As aresult,theamountofflammabletreesandshrubsexplodedinthe region.Itwasonlyafterthisprohibition onburningthatcatastrophicbushfires becameanissueintheBuchanarea.

The prolongedneglectofsouth-east Australianforestsundertheguise of conservationmeansourforestsnowcarry dangerouslevelsoffuels.Thiscreates theconditionsinwhichclimate-driven bushfiresbecomemegafires,devastating Countryandpeople’slives.

Aboriginalpeoplemakeuseofallkinds ofvegetation,fromclosedforesttotreelessgrasslands,fromfreshwatertosea Country.EachmobcareforCountry accordingtotheirownlawsandphilosophies.Theprincipal(butnotonly)toolfor caringforCountryisfire-aprocessnow referredtoasculturalburning.

The Victorian TraditionalOwnerCultural

FireStrategyeloquentlycaptureswhat culturalburningis:culturalburningis rightfire,righttime,rightwayandforthe right(cultural) reasonsaccordingtoLore. Thereare differentkindsofculturalfire practicesguidedbyLoreapplicableacross Victoria’scountries.

PriortotheBritishinvasion,caringfor Countryled todiverseterritoriescomprisedofallthethingspeopleneededfor themselvesorfortrade.

Incontrasttohazardreductionburning, culturalburningisnot ahomogeneous applicationoffiredesignedsimplytokeep fuelloadslow.Itis asophisticatedand diversesystemdictatedbyan intimate and reciprocal relationshipwithCountry. AboriginalcareforCountrypromotesa safe,productiveandpredictableworld. Itis regulatedbystrictspiritual,cultural andpragmaticprotocols.Itisintimate andsmall-scale.Itis year-round.Itis long term.Ithasbothimmediate and cumulativeimpactsonCountry.

Thisincludesincreasedbiodiversity, fewercatastrophicbushfires,productive landsandwaters,and asafehomefor peopleandotheroccupantsofCountry. Settlerfarmersandopencountrysettler farmersinsouth-eastAustraliacapitalised onthesystematic,fine-grainedanddiverse setofwaysAboriginalpeopleappliedfire toCountry.

Indeed,mostagriculturalareasinthe south-easttodayoccuronCountrythat wasalreadyopenandgrassybecause oftheapplicationoffireovermillennia. ThisopenCountrywasdeemeddesirable land.Muchofitwasfurther clearedfor agriculture,while“lessdesirable”land wasessentiallyneglectedorviewedasa sourceoftimber.

Theseneglectedareashavebecome muchmorewoody,and,as aresult,much morefire-prone.

Untilthe1970s,manysettlerfarmers observed andmimickedthepracticeof culturalburning.Theyparticularlydesired

thebenefitsofincreasedgreenshoots followinglow-intensityburningofgrasses tofeedtheir livestock, andthesafetyfrom uncontrolled bushfires,suchburning providedinthisperilouslyflammable environment.

For a2008 Victoriangovernmentinquest intotheimpactofpubliclandmanagement practicesonbushfires,Buchanlocals commentedonthecausesofbushfirein the region.Astatementfrom aBuchan farmer reads:“AfterEuropeansarrived, thesettlersfollowedtheAboriginalways andthecountrywasallopen, rolling grassland.Myfathersaiditwasparadise onearth”.

“OrbostrightthroughGelantipy, Wulgulmerang,Omeoandallthatcountry was rollinggrassland,andthesettlers cametherebecauseitwasgreatfortheir cattle.Afterthelimitationson[Aboriginal] people,thesettlersfollowedtheirways andthecountry retaineditsgrassland quality.[…]Thenthe regulationsbegan tobemoreandmorerestrictive.Public landmanagementandthe responsibility oftheMinister,havebeenevaded,overa longtime.”

Forourstudy,weextracted alongsampleofsedimentfromthe Tooculerdoyung LagoononthebanksoftheSnowy River,nearwhere itjoinstheBuchan River.Studyingthepollenandcharcoal contained inthis sample revealshow vegetation,fireanderosionchangedin this regionoverthepast120years.

Tooculerdoyungis alocalGunaikurnai wordthattranslatesto‘apointofriver’. Thesiteiscurrentlysurroundedbyeucalypt-forest.Itisdepictedin awell-known lithographby realistpainterEugenevon Guérardin1867,inwhichthelandscape surroundingthe siteisportrayedasan openforest.

OurdataconfirmsvonGuérard’sdepiction. From the early 1900s (shortly after thetownofBuchan wasestablishedin 1873)untilthe1970s,theareawasindeed

anopenlandscape,dominatedbygrass andherbs.Inthistime,itexperienceda consistent,low-intensityfireregime(fire pattern).

After1970,thefireregimebecomesmore variable,with ashifttolessfrequentand higherimpactburning.Thisisaccompaniedby adrasticincreaseintheamount offlammabletreessuchaseucalyptsand shrubs.Forthefirsttimeinthe region, weseetheonsetofpost-firesoilerosion. Buchanlocalslaytheblameforthis fireregime shiftonthebanningofsettler mimicryburning.In asubmissiontothe 2008inquiryonpubliclandmanagement andbushfires,localBuchanresidents wrote:“Itwas35yearsagowhentheuse oftheburntareasforcattlegrazingwas stopped[…]whentheLandConservation Council first started.[…] That is when the demiseofallthisstartedhappening.The older ones who are still around will still tellyouthatonedaytheywillburnusout, becausethere isnomanagement in the bush anymore as far as fire suppression goes,and, really,itiscomingtrue”.

We implorelandmanagementagencies to rethinkthewayCountryisperceived andcaredfor.

Countryneedspeopleandtheneglectof ourforestsisdestroyingthem.Aboriginal peopleholdtheknowledge,connectionand desiretoreturnhealthtotheirCountry, andtheymustbesupportedtodoso.

TheConversation

Bluescoachinggreat in Gippsland

“DON’Tthink,do!”

AFLlegendDavidParkinwasinMoe recently, passing on thefamouswords ofhisHawthorncoach,JohnKennedy, although this time, not through a football lens.

Nowanadvocateformen’shealth,in particular, ProstateCancer,Parkincame toMoeRacingClubtosharehisstory.

Parkin’sfatherandgrandfatherdiedfrom ProstateCancer intheir60s.Becauseof this,hehasgothimselftestedeveryyear sincetheageof40.

Now80,Carlton’slastpremiershipcoach iscountinghisluckystars.

SpeakingataneventorganisedbyMoe Rotary,thefour-timepremiershipcoach and1971Hawthornpremiershipcaptain heardfrompeoplewithsimilarexperiences dealingwithProstateCancer.

Knownforhisanimated addressesduring hiscoachingdays,Parkinspokeofmen’s healthwiththesamesortofpassionand emotion.

Parkinsaiditwasgreattobeabletotravel to regional communities to get important conversationsstarted.

“Rotaryhavethiscapacitytobringcommunitiestogether,infacttonightIcouldn’t believethevarietyofprofessionsofpeople thatturnedup,”hesaid.

“Twelve/sixteenpeoplestarteddiscussionsfromtheaudience ...(that) never happens,particularlyinrural Victoria.

“We’rehopingthatmenare nowfinally takingsome responsibilityfortheirhealth, notviatheirwivesorfemalesintheirlives, butmenarestartingtounderstandthey

havearesponsibilitytothemselvesand theirextendedfamiliesby checkingout thethingsweweretalkingabouttonight.”

Parkinhasbeen aspokespersonformen’s healthfor anumberofyearsnow.

Ofcourse,ifyouareataneventwiththe CarltonCoachoftheCentury,youhaveto talk abitoffooty.

Parkinsaidhestillwatchesthegame, albeitfrom adistance.

“Iloveit, Imustadmit, Ilikeitnowbecause they’vegoneaboutsaying ‘itdoesn’tmatter howmuchtheyscore,we’llscoremore’,” hesaidofthecurrentgame.

“Acoupleofyearsagoitwas‘itdoesn’t matterhowlittlewescoreaslongasthey scoreless’.

“We’vegonetheotherwaynow,andthe rulechanges,I’llgivehimhisdue, Hocking

(SteveHocking),did aterrificjob(introducingsix-six-six).

“Ihatetheideaofoneplayernotbeingable toparticipate,buttheballisnowgoinglong forward,we’veincreasedthepercentageof high marks,somethinglike 34percent, we’rescoringmoreheavily -that’swhat thegameshouldbeabout.”

HearingParkintalkfootball,itisamazing howeventhebestcoachesspeakaboutthe gameinsuch asimplisticway.

Youswearsomecoachesthesedayswant thescoreboarddemolishedandgames decidedbywhicheverteamgetsthemost statistics.

OnthecurrentdayBlues,Parkin,believed theteamwasontherighttrack.

Healso saidhewasmorethanready topass onthebatonasCarlton’slast

premiershipcoach.

“Ithinktheyaretwoorthreeplayersstill short,buttheyhavealmostallelements covered -back,middle,tallandsmall,” hesaid.

“Vossy(CarltoncoachMichael Voss) wasmyson’sbossforthelasteightyears atPortAdelaide,thathasbeenalovely relationship,andhe’sdoing aterrificjob, he’s agreatleaderandtheclubhascome togetherunderhisleadership.”

While primarilyassociatedwithBrisbane, alittle-knownfactis Vosswasactuallyborn in Traralgon.

As acoachofmorethan500AFLgames, ParkinratedEssendongreatKevinSheedy asthetoughesthecoachedagainst.

Recently,Parkinsaidhealso reached outtoformerplayerBrettRattenafterhe wassackedasStKildacoach.

“Brettisstrugglingwithwhathappened tohim,to reappointhimandhavethe rugpulledoutfromunderyouispretty ordinary,”Parkinsaid.

RattenformedpartofCarlton’s1995 premiershipcoachedby Parkin,andthe famousPreliminaryFinalwinningteam of1999.

TheBlues,rankoutsiderstodefeat Essendonthatday,prevailedby apoint. DespitelosingtheGrandFinaltoNorth Melbourne,Parkinsaidthe99’teamwas justastightas95’.

Youcan’thelpbutthinkofsomelocal GrandFinalteamsthatsharea similar bond: Wonthaggi2014,HillEnd2019,or evenSalethisyear.

Formoreinformationonprostatehealth, visitprostatehelp.com.au,orphone1800 220099.

Championsofcricketrecognisedfortheiroutstandingservice

NOToftenthismanylegendsareinone room.

Theinauguralpresentationofthe George WMunroAwardwasheldat Ted SummertonReserve,MoeonSunday, December4.

Theaward,establishedlastyear,recognisesthosein Gippslandwhohave contributedgreatlytojuniorcricket.

ItsnamesakeisthecurrentGippsland CricketRegion 7president.

WithRegion 7encompassingallsix associationsacross Gippsland, ranging fromBairnsdaleto Warragul,Munrohas been alighting-rodforjunior representativecricket,continuallyadvocatingand pushingforgreateropportunities for youngplayers.

Atotalof18recipientswereawarded certificates.

Amongthethrongwasalsolegendary WarragulfootballerandformerShield

playerBobBaldry,andGraemeAnderson -fatherofAustraliancomedian Wil.

Anderson,adairyfarmerfromHeyfield, hasgiventremendousservicetolocal cricketforthebestpartof50years,and hisloveforthegameisundoubted.

Upon receivinghiscertificate,hequipped

howhestillplayedcricketthedayhewas married,andmadethetriptoCountry Weektheday Wilwasborn.

Ahumorousstorytoldinhisson’sbook ‘SurvivaloftheDumbest’,tells how Wil toldtheoldman hedidn’t wantto bea farmer because he didn’t want to spend

the rest of hislifegetting up at 5amto milkthecows.

Andsureenough,uponlandinghisfirst radiojob,he wasrequiredtoget upat 3.45am.

Munrocongratulatedallawardwinners,and wishedtoacknowledgetheir contributions.

George WMunro Awardrecipients

RobertBaldry(GippslandCricket Region7),LeonDavies(GCR7), KeithHenderson(GCR7),Brendan O’Loughlin(GCR7), Rod Pollock (GCR7),RayAlvin(Bairnsdale), Tim Cavanagh(Bairnsdale),MaxSemkin (Leongatha),GeoffWyatt(Leongatha), Kristen Webber(Latrobe Valley),Ian Rossborough(Latrobe Valley),DavidP Little(Traralgon),David WLittleand MaryLittle(Traralgon),DarrylWebber (Traralgon),GraemeAnderson(SaleMaffra), KenBailey(SMCA),Charlier Pierrehumbert(Warragul),Brian ‘Barney’Snell(Warragul).

Stockdaletolead VictoriaCountry

TRARALGON’SLeeStockdalewillbeon hiswaytoCanberranextyearafterbeing named captain ofthe VictoryCountry cricketside.

ThelastCountryCricketChampionships tookplacein Toowoombain2020,asthe lasttwochampionshipswerecancelled duetoCOVID-19.

Victoriawonthe2020CountryCricket Championships,defeating Western Australiaby40runsintheGrandFinal, withStockdaleplaying avital roleinthat winningteam.

StockdaleplaysforEx-Studentsinthe TraralgonDistrictCricketAssociation (TDCA),whereEx-Studentsareenjoyinga decentstarttothe2022/23season,sitting secondwithonlyoneloss.

Heiscurrentlyaveraging39withthebat fromthreematches,hishighesttotalthis season84againstRovers.

Withtheballfromthosethreegames, Stockdalehastakensixwicketsatan averageof10.67runsperwicket –hisbest figures3/8againstGlengarry.

The2023CountryCricketChampionships willbeStockdale’ssixthcarnival representing VictoriaCountry.

This will be the first time that Stockdale

willleadthesquadascaptain,afterserving asvice-captainthreeprevioustimes.

“Itwas anicefeeling(tobeannounced ascaptain),it’salwaysnicetogetpicked inthesquadandobviouslytogetnamed ascaptainisnice,”Stockdalesaid.

Victoriawillhopetogoback-to-backat theChampionships,withStockdalebelievingitiswellwithin reach.

“(We)wanttoplaywell,wewonthelast onein Toowoomba,soit’dbenicetowin again,especiallywiththesidethatwe’ve got.”

Asthenewcaptain,Stockdalewilltake onsomenew roleswithinthesquad,on andoffthefield.

Stockdalesaidhewillbe“makingsure everyone’scomfortable,everyone’shappy andsettled,”offthefield.

“I’llhavetomakesomedecisionsouton thegroundandtrytoleadfromthefront atthesametime,”hesaidabouthisduties onthefield.

Intermsofself-preparation,Stockdale say H

Historyrepeats atGlenvie

Theydosaytimingiseverything.

YOUwouldwanttobelieveindestinyafter watchingthisyear’s TraralgonCup.

Nearly acenturyafterthe1930 Traralgon Cuptrophywasbroughtbackhome,history repeateditself,with alocal winner againsaluting.

The 1930trophywas recently discovered, afterspendingthebestpartof92yearsin thewilderness.

Thoughttobelostforever,arrangements weremadetobringthetrophy,(whichis actually acutleryset)backhome.

Afterconfirmingthetrophywasindeed the Traralgon Cupfrom1930, Latrobe ValleyRacingClubchairpersonFrank Bezzinacouldsee agreatstorydeveloping.

Inthelead-uptothisyear’srunning,he said“hopefully alocalwillwinitthisyear aswell”.

Bezzinagothis wish,whilethosewho cametothe Latrobe ValleyRacingClub onSunday,November27couldn’thave wishedformuchbetter.

Closetoperfectweathergreetedrace goersforthenine-cardmeeting.

Runon aSoft6,themarqueeracenetted StarspangledBaby the TraralgonCup,for localtrainerCraigBlackshaw.

Blackshawhadtakenovertrainingthefiveyear-oldmarefromBundalaguah-based

Inanexcitingfinish,Starspangledbaby gothomefromfellowlocalNot AProblem byjustunderhalf-a-length.

Not AProblem,trainedat MoebyAllison Bennett,stayedthe distancefor most of the1900-metrerace,buthadtocontend withrunningsecondontheday.

Thewinnerputin astrongperformance, settlinginsecondatthe800mand400m mark,beforethedashtothefinish.

Starspangledbabypastthepostonthe outside,withMichaelPoyonboard.

Poysignedhisgoogles,givingthemto young Charlie GieschenofMaffraasa souvenir.

Theyoungsterwasoneofmanyenthusiasticconnectionswhowerebeside themselvesintheaftermath.

Collectingtheownerstrophy,MarkLandy exclaimeditwasgoing“straightto theBriag Pub!”

ForBlackshaw,itwashisfirst Traralgon Cup,and38thcareerwin.

“Shecameoutverygood,thetargetwas TraralgonCup,wewereaskedtodo ajob andwe’vedoneit,”hesaid.

“She’s anicemare,you’regetting alaststartwinner,shewononSaleCupDay... sheis aqualitymare.”

Asfortheimmediatefuture,Blackshaw

saidhehadn’tconsideredwherethenow TraralgonCupwinnerwillnextrace.

Acrosstheothereightraces,Sale-based trainerHeatherStephenshad awinnerin Race6,with APennySpentgettingthejob donein aBM64(1430m).

Thefive-year-oldmareedgedoutthe PeterMoodytrained VictoryBay,towin by anose.

APennySpenthasbeeninverygood formoflate,winningthreeofitslastfour racesandplacinginallfour.

Trolove roundedoutthemeetingwitha wininRace9.

HighRiskwastoogoodforitscompetitors,winning aBM64(1100m)by alength.

Thesix-year-oldmarecamehomestrong, gettingtotheleadfromeighthatthe 800m mark.

Itwas awelcome returnforHighRisk, whomayhaveturnedthecornerafter runningthirdinBairnsdaleon aHeavy8 onNovember14.

ThetrackatGlenviewParkhad aSoft 6ratingfromstarttofinishfor Traralgon CupDay.

Therewasnodoubtingtheexcitementon TraralgonCupDay,somuchsothiswriter forgot helefthissuitjacketbehind,(drove allthewaytoMorwellbeforerealising).

comparedtopastchampionships,Stockdale believesthathissquadwillhavemoretime toprepare.

“We’reprobablyluckierthis(season), becausenormallyit’sstraightaftertheNew Year,”Stockdale said.

“Normally betweenthe roundbefore Christmasandthe Championships -you don’tgetanycricketinfortwoorthree weeks.

“Thiscarnival’snotuntilmid-to-late (January), so we’ll actually be able to train alittlebit.”

Stockdalewillbejoinedbyfellow GippslandersJackRietschelandJack Wrigglesworth,whonowplaysinGeelong.

“Jack Wrigglesworthatthe lasttournamenttookthemostwicketsandmadethe All-Australianteam,”Stockdalesaid.

“JackRietschel’san absolutestar, he’s oneofourspinbowlersthatcanmakesome handyruns.”

TheCountryCricketChampionshipswill takeplace betweenJanuary13and20, 2023,inCanberra,withthecompetition comprisingmostAustralianstates.

TRACTORS

Case990, pwrsteer,ropscanopy,vgc.

Case 1394,FWA, 4post ropscanopy, tidy,77hp.

Ford TW15,fwa,a/ccab,3pl, rem,newclutch, 143hp. JohnDeere1120, rops,2wd.

Massey Ferguson355turbo,a/ccab,p/steer,d/bar, remotes.....

Massey Ferguson240, rops.

Zetor6945,4wd, rops.

LOADERS

Massey Ferguson 11,FEL, 1mtrbucket,rops. Zetor5945,4wd,cab,fel

FARMIMPLEMENTS

3pl aerorator.

3pl500kgsuper spreader.

9ft– 12ft smudgers.

Assortedgraderblades.

Assortedhay forks &spikes.

ConnorShea 10 row disc3plseeder

Hardi600ltr 3plboomspray, 7.7mtr boom& hosereel. Hyd3plsilage balefeeder.

Mulcher,8ft Silvan withhyd.sideshift.

NewHollandRoll-Belt 150Superfeedbaler,asnew, 2020.

Post holediggers 6” to 18”

Postrammer,AussieDriverwithhyd.sideshift.

TYRES

New 11.2x28and 12.4x28 10 plyinstock. Assortednew andsecondhand from 16”to46”.

WANTED

Deutz 130064wdtractor.

WANTED

Goodqualitylatemodeltractors.