Guano – a tale of two birds
IT was the best of times. It was the worst of times. This might have been the thoughts of the guano miners shovelling and bagging…
Sher Wagyu is a boutique operation
“HOW often do I eat Wagyu?” “Oh, not more than five times a week,” Nick Sher said with a laugh. And so Nick sums up…
Marketing the future
For small scale farmers who have employed more labour intensive models of farming focusing on best practice, it is often difficult to demand the prices…
Discovering Wrenwood
FOUR years ago, Lizabeth and Jayson Souness bought Wrenwood, a small acreage farm in Bungowannah, with the intention of opening a farm shop, gallery and…
Gold fever in Tolmie
FIRST impressions of Kevin Marriott, of Tolmie Gold Saffron, is his inherently positive outlook on farming and his appreciation for all the lessons learned, good…
A truffle obsession
“FROM early childhood I used to go out with my father and collect mushrooms for eating,” said Dr Peter Stahle, Victorian truffle farmer and president…
SPC sale confirmed
IT has been confirmed that Goulburn-Valley based SPC has been purchased by the Shepparton Partners Collective, a joint venture assembled purely to acquire the fruit…
On the up and up
TEN years ago, goats were considered a pest in Australia – ranked alongside rabbits and foxes. Today, on a kilo for kilo basis, they are…
The natural gardener
PLUNGING her hands into the soil, Simone Boyd excitedly retrieves a small white radish. “This is what vegetables used to look like,” she said. “If…
“Faulty and selective”
TWO of Australia’s biggest quad bike manufacturers, Honda and Yamaha, have confirmed they will pull out of the market if the ACCC’s safety recommendations are…
Shepparton migrant workers to receive $50,000
A LABOR hire company will change the way it pays its workforce after a Fair Work Ombudsman investigation found it had failed to correctly compensate…
The cattle are home in Merrijig
EVERY year, Bruce McCormack wonders if it will be the last. The last time his children and grandchildren saddle up and ride into the high…
Season over
BRIAN Mobbs owns and operates High Spa Angus, a breeding operation focused on diverse genetics and quality progeny. Last month, Brian sent 80 weaners to…
Farmers forgotten
“We need help – it’s as dry here as anywhere else.” So said Mansfield farmer James Tehan, responding to news that Mansfield, Murrindindi and Mitchell…
The final goodbye
THE hammer came down for the final time at Witherswood Angus last month, when John and Joan Woodruff said goodbye to the last of their…
Rain across region needed now
“IT’S dry as chips.” So said Elders stock and station agent Ryan Sergeant late last month. Mr Sergeant was repeating the phrase that farmers across…