Published since 1986
MAY, 2021
www.farmernews.com.au
A YEAR IN REVIEW THE Mansfield Farm Project follows life on the Mannings’ property Davilak, for a year. Photographed by Sandra Lording from Sandra Lee Photography, the project is as much about understanding country life as it is about documenting a year on a farm, raising Angus cattle. Pictured is Rod Manning who in 2013 relinquished farm management of Davilak to his son Rodda. Turn to page 2 and 3 for the whole story.
Cattle prices pass peak PAGE 4
Jerseys reign at Easter Show PAGE 12
Dog trials held at Mansfield
Growers thrilled with 2021 harvests
PAGE 19 HARVESTS across the Ovens Valley are coming to an end for some, and just ramping up for other local growers who are set to reap the benefits of a cooler summer. The last hops and pumpkins have recently being picked in the Myrtleford area with both crops yielding well for their respective locally based companies. Hop Products Australia sales and marketing manager, Owen Johnston, said the 2021 hop harvest ran from the start of March to March 30 and was again a good one. “It was a cooler and wetter growing season but the plants looked healthy leading into harvest,” Mr Johnston said. “Harvest was characterised by smooth progress, with only one notable wet patch late in March,
BY JUSTIN JENVEY
jjenvey@ nemedia.com.au
but even with that, the brewing quality from this year’s harvest looks great.” Mr Johnston said pelleting of the dried hops begins this week and is expected to run until mid-June. The Australian Pumpkin Seed Company also wrapped up its harvest recently with owner Sharan Rivett buoyed by a significant increase in the number of farmers growing pumpkins for them. “We’re certain we will meet our yield targets and this is timely as we have seen a significant increase in demand for our products during 2020 and into 2021 right across
Australia,” she said. “Consumers are seeking good quality Australian grown produce that is high in zinc and magnesium to help boost their immune systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. “In terms of this year’s harvest, we saw some differences between the farms that were planted early in November 2020 and those planted at the beginning of December 2020. “The later planting yielded a bumper crop; this is possibly due to the cooler start to summer and better pollination and mineral translation occurring later in the season.” Ms Rivett said the Ovensbased business has also seen an enormous increase in farm-gate traffic with tourists returning to the region. ■ Continued pages 10-11
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