Published since 1986
SEPTEMBER, 2021
www.farmernews.com.au
Jake's dairy ambitions PAGE 9
GREAT CONCEPT PRESIDENT of the Australian Limousin Breeders’ Society Chris Meade is looking forward to the upcoming Victorian Limousin Society OnFarm Challenge, which has been scheduled for early October. It will be the second time that the event has been run after a brief hiatus, and Chris is pleased that the challenge is back on the calendar, providing a good opportunity to connect in these current times. With shows cancelled across the state, the event gives stud owners that much desired feedback on their breeding enterprise. To read more about Chris Meade and his Limousin stud Pelican Rise turn to page 6, or to page 18 for information on the On-Farm Challenge.
Friendly farming for bees and beneficials LAUNCHING in May, Bee Friendly Farming Australia - a program that supports farmers, orchardists and other commercial landuse operators to promote pollinator health on their lands - has hit the ground running. With tree grants announced in August with planting specifically aimed at protecting pollinators, the
BY EMMA OLIVER eoliver@ nemedia.com.au
program has also recently gained sponsorship by the Australian Almond Industry who applaud the initiative. Bee Friendly Farming was developed in the United States and Canada 12 years ago, with the program
going from strength to strength, with the number of accredited producers growing exponentially in the last few years. “Last year there were 65,000 acres in North America under Bee Friendly Farming (BFF) accreditation, and by the beginning of August this year that number had almost doubled to 127,000,” said Fiona
Chambers, chief executive officer of the Ween Bee Foundation, which holds the licence in Australia to run Bee Friendly Farming. A registered Australian charity that promotes awareness of the importance of bees for food security, biodiversity and ecosystem health, the Ween Bee Foundation also funds research and development
activities that address not only the national but global threat to bees. Bee Friendly Farming is one such activity, with the foundation adopting the initiative after looking to existing successful programs overseas that could be adapted to our domestic agricultural environment. ■ Continued page 2
Deadly viruses detected PAGE 11
Benefits from avian response PAGE 13
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