Published since 1986
APRIL, 2020
Veggies worth $299m PAGE 8
www.farmernews.com.au
Golden garlic growers
Te Mania bull sale PAGES 12, 13
PAGE 15
Brussels sprouts span the generations By EMMA OLIVER
LOCAL Leongatha girl Elley Corney has been barrel racing for the last 14 years and is hoping to take out the title of all round cowgirl in this year’s standings with the Australian Professional Rodeo Association. Competing on Lindsay, the two work as a well synchronised team, after a decade of working together and honing technique. Barrel racing and break-away roping is not Elley’s only passion, however, with Elley milking 80 cows a day on her own dairy farm, a task she loves and a job she would never give up to follow her rodeo journey further afield or overseas. For Elley’s story turn to page 4.
FOR a vegetable with a reputation that conjures such strong reactions both good and bad, it is astounding that throughout Australia there are only 700 to 800 acres under commercially grown Brussels sprouts. Of this total, there are only three major players in Australia who regularly cultivate over 100 acres of sprouts as their annual crop, and one of these players is Adams Farms, located on 750 acres in Coldstream, surrounded by the vineyards of the picturesque Yarra Valley. Adams Farms are third generation sprout growers, a mean feat for what is a notoriously difficult vegetable to grow. However, it was the challenge that Brussels sprouts represented that attracted founder and patriarch Arthur Adams to the crop in the first place. “We originally had a farm in Bayswater,” said Bruce Adams, son of Arthur Adams and general manager of Adams Farms. “We were growing cabbag-
es predominantly in Bayswater and moved to Coldstream in the early 1960s specifically for more land and to continue growing cabbages. “However, my Dad, Arthur, needed some other crops to keep the labourers busy, as the cabbages only required about four hours work a day, so he looked to diversify. “He introduced pumpkins and Brussels sprouts to supplement the cabbages, and then as he realised how much more lucrative Brussels sprouts were per acre and then in packing and transport, he concentrated the farm’s efforts on growing sprouts. “In all reality though, my dad’s main driving force was the challenge, and in 1979 we committed solely to Brussels sprouts. “Since then we’ve had a few set-backs but nothing really that disastrous. “It is a significant commitment though, which is the reason only a few farmers grow Brussels sprouts in Australia, and why many grow it as a secondary crop or as an aside.” ■ Continued page 2
For more information
Protect your investment
Ph: 1300 551 099 Mob. 0417 563 955
Stop heat and prevent corrosion
www.thermoshield.com.au
Saves you money
PO Box 16, Silvan, VIC 3795 gavin@thermoshield.com.au
BYPY TRANSMISSIONS
BONDIOLI & PAVESI and BIMA, PTO Shafts and Gearboxes
For all your agricultural power transmission requirements Call us for all your PTO Shafts, Gearboxes and Spare Parts
farming community since 1950
1800 932 113
Call Toll Free Fact 3, 16-20 Dingley Ave, Dandenong 3175 bypy@bypy.com.au www.bypy.com.au
37d07301/3219
Proudly supporting the