Rural

Time to put the brakes on slugs and snails

WIMMERA grain growers have been urged to monitor and manage slug and snail populations during a recent series of Agriculture Victoria-led presentations by crop pest specialist Dr Michael Nash. Dr Nash advised growers with snail issues to use...

Jessica Taylor

23 Mar 2020

Rural

Graziers warned to beware of phalaris toxicity

SHEEP and cattle producers are being advised to keep an eye out for signs of phalaris toxicity which can lead to illness and sudden death in livestock. With the flush of new growth across the region following recent rainfall after a prolonged dry...

Jessica Taylor

23 Mar 2020

Rural

Increase pulse inoculant in dry conditions

GROWERS planning to dry sow pulses on soils responsive to inoculation this season are encouraged to double the rate of peat inoculant or use a granular inoculant which delivers a high number of rhizobia at sowing to increase the likelihood of...

Jessica Taylor

23 Mar 2020

Rural

Wimmera Machinery Field Days auction hits the mark

The inaugural Wimmera Machinery Field Days Ag auction last Thursday was a boon for exhibitors with most of the 40 lots flying off the auction block. Seven site exhibitors offered a mixture of old and new Ag equipment valued between $600,000 and...

James Thomas

16 Mar 2020

Rural

Farmer pleads guilty to animal cruelty charges

A SHEEP farmer from Corack near Donald, recently pleaded guilty to animal cruelty in the St Arnaud Magistrates Court for failing to appropriately care for his sheep. The farmer pleaded guilty to two charges of failing to provide sufficient feed...

Jessica Taylor

16 Mar 2020

Rural

Crop variety data released to inform new season

NEW data has been released to inform southern region grain growers’ crop variety choices for the 2020 season. Harvesting of the extensive winter crop variety trials conducted through the Grains Research and Development Corporation’s (GRDC)...

Jessica Taylor

16 Mar 2020

Rural

Keen buyers for Sheep Market

WARRACKNABEAL agents yarded a slightly smaller yarding than the previous fortnight, consisting of 2800 lambs and 350 sheep. The quality of the yarding was again excellent, with all weights and grades represented. There was a stronger gallery of...

Jessica Taylor

17 Feb 2020

Rural

Research to inform 2020 sowing program

The revered BCG Trials Review Day was held last Friday at the Birchip Leisure Centre. More than 160 farmers and advisors from across the Wimmera Mallee attended the timely event which extended the latest research, technology and decision-making...

Jessica Taylor

17 Feb 2020

Rural

Future Drought Fund

A GROUP of eminent Australians has been established to help deliver $100 million in drought resilience and preparedness programs to communities every year through the Future Drought Fund. Minister for Drought David Littleproud announced the Future...

Andrew Ward

25 Sep 2019

Rural

Trespassing activists to face jail under new laws

ANIMAL activists invading people’s properties can expect to face tough new sanctions thanks to new farm trespass laws passed by the Federal Parliament last Friday. The new laws were passed as a result of widespread reports of animal activists...

Andrew Ward

25 Sep 2019

Rural

Snakes on the move in the Grampians region

WITH the weather warming up our cold-blooded reptile friends are now becoming more active, and a lot more visible. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) Acting Regional Manager Environmental Compliance, Nathan MacDonald...

Andrew Ward

23 Sep 2019

Rural

Sun shines on spectacular BCG Main Field Day

THE Birchip Cropping Group’s 27th Main Field Day served up spectacular conditions last Wednesday not only with calm sunny weather, but with the impressive trials on site which was shown off to over 350 growers and industry representatives. The day...

Andrew Ward

23 Sep 2019