Craig and Jane Lloyd have been farming at Reedy Flat for three decades and have ridden the ups and downs of drought, fires and disease. Mr Lloyd admits, as do most farmers, working the land can be a rollercoaster of emotions. New research released last week paints a picture of mental health of Australia’s hard-working farmers with close to a third (30 per cent) reporting a decline in mental...

The State Government’s fox and wild dog bounty has resumed for 2023. Agriculture Victoria biosecurity officers will again operate monthly collection centres across the state from March until October. Agriculture Victoria biosecurity manager, Jason Wishart, said participants could submit entire fox scalps for a $10 reward and/or entire wild dog body parts for a $120 reward at specified...

Perfect weather prevailed for Barry Newcomen's 20th annual bull sale held at his Ensay property last Wednesday. About 80-100 people inspected the 64 Hereford bulls for sale before filing into a shed on the farm to compete in the video auction for each animal.  The highest price paid on the day was $17,000 by Yavenvale Herefords in Adelong, New South Wales. While the first bull on offer...

This year’s High Country cattle sales have seen a sharp decline in livestock prices compared to last year’s premium figures. At the annual mountain weaner calf sales in Ensay last Wednesday, which attracted buyers from Victoria and interstate, the overall average price for the 1105 yarded cattle was $1387, compared to the 2022 average of $2226. The top steer sold for $2130, while last year’s top...

Collaboration between Gippsland farmers and farmer groups resulted in a world-renowned soil specialist visiting Newry, Bairnsdale and Orbost last week. The positive ramifications for everyone involved was evident as independent plant and soil health scientist, Joel Williams, an Australian currently based in Canada, engaged with more than 100 farmers across the region. For dairy farmers, Kate...