Special Interests Archives - Page 95 of 121

RURAL ROUNDUP

September 13, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

It’s All About ME, Grain Crops For Livestock

As the big dry continues, NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) scientists have some tips for producers to explore how to best maximise opportunities from moisturestressed wheat and canola crops.

NSW DPI researcher, John Piltz said producers know that by making early decisions to graze or conserve crops, they can maximise the nutritional value of cereal crops that may not be harvestable for animal production.

“It’s worth remembering that dietary metabolisable energy (ME) is the key to animal production gains, but ME declines in the post-vegative growth stage,” said John.

“We advise producers to accurately evaluate all their on-farm and sale options for potential grain production, grazing, hay and silage or agistment opportunities.

“If crop yield is low, less than two tonnes of dry matter per hectare, hay and silage making losses will be high and grazing would be recommended.

“If you’re going to graze the crop it is better to act sooner than later, delaying cutting from early October to early November on the chance of rain would reduce ME levels with a negative impact on feed quality and potential animal production.”

To better inform management decisions John and NSW DPI analytical chemist, Richard Meyer, have predicted steer live weight change using Grazfeed and compared with data from wheat and canola samples tested by NSW DPI’s Feed Quality Service (FQS).

Samples from 2008-09 and 2017-18 had an average ME of 9.0 megajoules (MJ) per kilogram of dry matter, which would deliver a predicted daily live weight gain of 0.37 kilograms per day for a nine-month old, 280 kilogram British breed steer.

The more ME animals eat, the quicker they grow, as long as crude protein, vitamins and minerals are kept in balance. Increasing ME from 8.5 to 10.5 MJ for the same steer is predicted to increase live weight gain from 0.15 to 0.92 kilograms per day.

In the post-vegative stage, crop ME declines an average 0.05 MJ per day as plants mature.

Results of the study are available through the Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, an alliance between NSW DPI and Charles Sturt University.

For the crop salvage calculator visit: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/ broadacre-crops/crop-salvage-calculator.

Farmer of the Year Nominations

NSW Minister for Primary Industries and outgoing NSW Farmers President, Derek Schoen announced the opening of applications for the prestigious NSW Farmer of the Year award for 2018. Speaking at the NSW Farmers Annual Conference recently, NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair said the award is both a celebration and recognition of farming excellence through the diverse range of enterprises across NSW. “Our farmers represent some of the most innovative, industrious primary producers in the country and produce some of the highest quality food and fibre to be found anywhere in the world,” said Niall.

“The state’s $15 billion primary industries sector is going from strength to strength under the stewardship of our farmers, who demonstrate drive and determination to run efficient, profitable and sustainable businesses.”

Derek has served as a judge of the award throughout his presidency and said that the 2017 finalists represented the breadth of NSW’s farming sector. “From biodynamic, organic egg farming to a commercial cropping enterprise gaining efficiencies through environmental practices, from young guns through to farmers who have had a life-long commitment to farming excellence, the calibre of applications to the NSW Farmer of the Year award continues to be hugely impressive,” he said.

“The award helps identify outstanding farmers who are pushing the boundaries within their industry and in farming generally, and recognises people with outstanding management skills who demonstrate a combination of innovation, profitability, sustainability and community involvement.”

The successful 2018 Farmer of the Year will be awarded $10,000 and finalists will receive $2,000. The award is an initiative of the NSW Department of Primary Industries and NSW Farmers. You can both apply and nominate a farmer online at www.nswfarmeroftheyear.com.au with entries closing 26th September 2018.

Records Are Set To Tumble With “Mercedes House”

September 6, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Click here for more info

Forbes’s finest stately homestead known as “Mercedes House” will be offered for sale by auction on the 4th October by Landmark Harcourts agent, Ainslie Toole. This is likely to set a new record for the district.

“Mercedes House” is sure to impress with its generous dimensions, elegant appointments and stunning capacity to entertain. It is ideally situated with just a short stroll to the CBD, lake, pools, schools, cafes and hotels. It features 11 bedrooms in total. The grand central entrance hallway has retained original porcelain tiles and chandeliers that leads onto four luxurious double bedrooms that each open out to expansive verandahs.

Discerning travellers can also enjoy the comforts of a self-contained apartment on the lower level. With six bedrooms upstairs and the third bathroom plus a kitchenette, there is plenty of room for a family/extra accommodation for the business to expand.

Multiple entertaining areas include a formal dining and living room plus another living/dining room in both the upstairs level and in the apartment with an open plan modern kitchen/dining nook available for guests. There is also an attractive covered entertaining area by the pool with many spots to relax and enjoy the gardens.

In 1984 “Mercedes House” was purchased by the current owners, Michael and Denise Jelbart. It was an exceptional private residence for their family and in recent years since they became empty nesters they decided to operate it as a Bed & Breakfast business which is thriving.

The owners have made friends from all around the world through exceptional repeat business and have said that it has been a privilege to have owned and lived in “Mercedes House” for 34 years.

They are selling to retire and travel.

For more information, contact Ainslie Toole at Landmark Harcourts on 0407 946 838.

Meniscus Tears Part 2

August 30, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Whether due to trauma or degenerative changes, a torn meniscus will often present with pain and swelling in the knee joint and difficulty straightening the knee. Sometimes there may also be a history of painful clicking or locking. Manual testing and MRI can confirm the diagnosis of a meniscus tear.

Whenever possible, physiotherapy is considered the first line of treatment when there are symptoms of a meniscal tear. This involves strengthening exercises, icing to reduce swelling and avoiding activities that put pressure on the joint such as pivoting, squatting or repetitive bending of the knee.

One of the main functions of the knee joint meniscus is to absorb shock. Luckily, the muscles around the knee also function as shock absorbers. Research has shown that as muscle strength around the knee increases bone stress decreases and therefore pain and dynamic stability improve.

If, after a few weeks of conservative management, pain and dysfunction are still present your doctor may recommend surgery.

This is usually day surgery and involves arthroscopic repair or removal of the torn piece of cartilage. As part of the recovery process the muscles around the knee must be strengthened in order to minimise secondary degenerative changes.

If osteoarthritis is also present in the affected knee, as is often the case with degenerative meniscus tears, surgical treatment may not provide the pain relief or return to optimal function normally expected of arthroscopic repair. In fact, the research indicates that arthroscopic surgery for this population offers no advantage over physiotherapy for relief of symptoms or improvement in function.

For the fitness of you.

Linda Reilly

Central West Stud Sales

August 30, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

SWS Stud Merino Breeders Annual Field Day

The South West Slopes (SWS) Stud Merino Breeders Field Day will take place on Tuesday, 4th September commencing at 10am at the Harden Showgrounds. The annual field day provides a day full of interest and enjoyment for sheep breeders and visitors alike with a wide range of Merino sheep genetics on show. The stud displays are undercover of marquees in an ideal venue for this time of year. The Field Day program includes Merino studs on display, wool fashions and products on display sheep handling equipment and sheep dog display, farm machinery on display, industry specialists on hand providing up to date information and much more.

Red Hill On Property Sale

Red Hill Australian White Stud are pleased to conduct their fourth on property sale, on the 14th of September in conjunction with Ardess Australian White Stud. Red Hill and Ardess continue to be impressed by this resilient breed and the past eighteen months of extended dry periods have certainly proven this. The principals of Red Hill are passionate about promoting the Australian White Breed. At Red Hill, Robert and Leanne Endacott are committed to breeding Australian White sheep that produce a very marketable lamb with excellent growth rates, stud rams and ewes with strong conformation, hair pattern, black points and good temperament while always maintaining that “quality matters”.

Ridgehaven Annual Ram Sale

Ridgehaven Poll Dorsets is a family run stud operation based at Cudal. We aim to produce rams with genetics that assist lamb producers to be more efficient and profitable. With a balanced approach to the breeding program, they use visual assessment and performance data to deliver consistent high quality rams. The sale is on Thursday 13th September, with a delicious barbeque lunch provided.

On Property Ram Sale For Marocara

Marocara Poll Dorsets breed high performance rams to meet the requirements of commercial and stud producers. The 18th annual ram sale of Marocara Poll Dorsets will take place on property Hillview at Wongarbon, 132R Wellington Road on 4th September at 2pm with 180 rams on offer. Wongarbon is about 18 km east of Dubbo on the Mitchell Highway between Dubbo and Wellington. Enquiries are always welcome. Contact Gus on 0428 878 221 or Alistair 0427 878 221.

Rams on Private Sale At Lachlan Valley

Lachlan Valley Rams is offering White Suffolks and Poll Dorsets for private sale at Forbes. All rams have a good lambplan performance, are Gudair vaccinated and Brucellosis accredited. Contact Alan Sharrock on 0427 511 397 with your enquiries.

Central West Stud Sales

August 23, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Some Of The Best In Central West

Goonigal Poll Dorsets have been operating for 12 years and will hold their 3rd annual sale on Tuesday, 28th August at 11.30am at the Canowindra Showground. Rams will be penned by 10am for inspection prior to sale. All rams are Brucellosis accredited free and vaccinated for OJD and footrot free. All rams will be stock scanned with figures available on the Facebook page.

Goonigal Poll Dorsets welcome all lamb producers in the market for rams to come and have a look on sale day. Whether you are after suckers or export lambs Goonigal Rams will produce. Allan Gray & Co will be conducting the sale and Bill Brien can be contacted on 0428 281 024.

For more than 21 years Felix Rams has had a singular focus on producing efficient and profitable prime lambs by breeding high performance, structurally sound meat sheep rams.

Felix Rams’ commitment to collecting good accurate performance data is second to none. Since first starting weighing lambs at birth in 1996, they have weighed more than 24,000 lambs within 12 hours of birth. Birthweight records go into Sheep Genetics – Lambplan.

Felix Rams will offer around 140 Poll Dorset and 45 White Suffolk rams at their annual on-property sale at Greenethorpe on 4th September. Catalogues are available at www.felixrams.com.au, or call Rodney 0417 499 204 or Allan Gray and Co Cowra on 02 6342 2377.

Marocara Poll Dorsets breed high performance rams to meet the requirements of commercial and stud producers.

The 18th annual ram sale of Marocara Poll Dorsets will take place on property Hillview at Wongarbon, 132R Wellington Road on 4th September at 2pm with 180 rams on offer. Wongarbon is about 18 km east of Dubbo on the Mitchell Highway between Dubbo and Wellington. Enquiries are always welcome. Contact Gus on 0428 878 221 or Alistair 0427 878 221.

Lachlan Valley Rams is offering White Suffolks and Poll Dorsets for private sale at Forbes. All rams have a good lambplan performance, are Gudair vaccinated and Brucellosis accredited. Contact Alan Sharrock on 0427 511 397 with your enquiries.

Are Your Bones Healthy?

August 16, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Flannery’s Pharmacy will be hosting a Bone Density Clinic in-store on Wednesday, 29th August.

Your bones are living tissues that are both flexible and strong. They act to support and move your body, protect your organs, create white and red blood cells and to store essential minerals like calcium and phosphorus. Throughout your life your bones are always changing and remodelling. You can think of it like a bank account, into which you make deposits and withdrawals.

“Osteoporosis occurs when too little bone is formed, too much bone is lost, or a combination of both occurs,” said Tracey Edwards, Pharmacist at Flannery’s Pharmacy.

“When this happens your bones become more brittle and can fracture more easily,” said Tracey. “Ideally, you will have made more ‘deposits’ than ‘withdrawals’ during your early years to create the strongest bones possible”.

Risk factors for osteoporosis include increasing age, being female (especially post menopausal), a family history of osteoporosis and/or a history of fractures as an adult. Lifestyle risk factors include low dietary calcium intake, low vitamin D intake, low levels of physical activity, excessive alcohol intake, smoking and low or excessive body weight.

“The heel ultrasound test offered by the pharmacy is a screening test that gives a snapshot of your bone health,” said Tracey.

“Screening tests alone cannot accurately diagnose osteoporosis but they can be used in conjunction with your personal risk factors so that you and your GP can decide which course of action is best for you”.

If you would like an appointment for the Bone Density Clinic, please call instore or phone Flannery’s Pharmacy on 6852 1111.

Cost is $20 and bookings are essential.

Freight Changes To Support Farmers

August 16, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

The NSW Government’s new improved access for heavy vehicles carrying supplies and stock to drought-affected areas was welcomed by Parliamentary Secretary for Western NSW, Rick Colless.

The new NSW Class 3 Drought Assistance Dimension Exemption Notice, which came into effect this week, will allow more hay to be transported per truckload, reducing costs for farmers.

Rick said with 100 percent of NSW in drought there has been a greater demand to transport hay. “We know freight is a huge cost so the more hay we can get on one load the cheaper it is for our farmers.”

“The NSW Liberals and Nationals have committed more than $1 billion in drought assistance to date. This is another step designed to help assist farmers at this difficult time,” said Rick.

Drought applications are being prioritised through the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) portal, by including the word DROUGHT in the reference section of the application.

For any questions transport operators or farmers may have contact the dedicated hotline 1800 952 292 or visit www.rms.nsw. gov.au/drought-freight.

How To Rediscover Your Fitness Mojo

August 16, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Being active doesn’t just make you feel good, it is good for you. The list of benefits is long and sweeping as almost on a daily basis, scientists identify new health perks of regular physical activity.

To make exercise part of your routine you need to prioritise and commit.

Start small: Think about your current fitness level and start with something achievable, but slightly challenging.

Aim to be active for 20 to 30 minutes per day. If you want to do more, gradually increase the duration.

Make it a non-negotiable: Rather than viewing exercise as a ‘nice to have’, treat it like any other element of your daily routine.

Like having a shower, eating breakfast and going to work – you don’t really think about it, you just do it.

Set a goal: Having an exercise goal to work towards, such as a fun run, gives your training focus. Plus, you’ll enjoy a real buzz crossing the finish line of an event you’ve dedicated time working towards.

Find a buddy: Having a friend to meet regularly and train alongside keeps you accountable, provides a social aspect to your activity and means you can motivate and support each other on tougher days.

It’s too cold: There’s no such thing as bad weather if you’re prepared for it. Cooler weather actually provides the best conditions for exercise. You only get cold if you’re standing still.

It’s too hot: In really hot conditions think about taking your activity indoors, or choose to get your exercise via a refreshing swim.

By Claire Burke

Meniscus Tears -Part 1

August 16, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Within the normal knee joint are two C shaped discs of cartilage called the medial and lateral menisci. They have a unique wedged, kidney shape and a blood supply only to their outer third which decreases as you age. Almost 70% of each meniscus is made up of water. These unique properties allow the knee to function as well as it does but they are also the reason why meniscus tears are one of the most common knee joint injuries.

The wedge shape of your meniscus assists with the rotational stability that is created by the anterior cruciate ligament especially during pivoting movements. The large water content allows them to act like a shock absorber. As you walk, jump or run the knee absorbs large forces with the amount of force increasing exponentially as the speed of movement increases. Your meniscus helps to disperse these compressive forces over the whole knee therefore minimizing the damage to the cartilage that lines the bone surfaces.

Meniscal tears are often classified as either traumatic or degenerative. In the younger population, meniscus tears are usually due to trauma by twisting on a slightly bent knee.

The traumatic type of meniscal injuries is most often sports related. Commonly there is pain and a ‘pop’ is heard. The knee joint swells and occasionally the athlete will report a locking or painful clicking sensation.

Degenerative tears occur in the older population due to natural age-related degeneration and often the person is unaware of the cause of pain and swelling.

Stay tuned for my next column which will address the management and rehabilitation for the torn meniscus.

For the fitness of you,

Linda Reilly

Making Informed Livestock Decisions

August 16, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Conditions across the Central West continue to deteriorate with below average rainfall forecast for the next three months.

With many producers now hand feeding their remaining livestock, Central West Local Land Services staff are urging them to ensure they are constantly looking at the current and future cost of inputs to ensure they can make informed decisions around livestock management.

“Things are tight for producers. It’s important that they have a clear understanding of the cost of feeding stock so they can make an informed decision about if or when to sell,” said Central West Local Land Services Condobolin based district vet, Hanna Thomas.

To support landholders in the decision making process, Central West Local Land Services have partnered with RaynerAg and Landcare to roll out a series of workshops.

The workshops will allow producers to look at planning a cash flow budget to readjust strategies based on feeding or selling for the remainder of 2018, resource budget of feed and water based on requirements for stock and resetting key trigger points for livestock.

“Producers are under pressure at the moment and many are time poor due to their feeding schedule. These workshops are a great opportunity for them to stop and evaluate the financial impacts of feeding livestock and help them allocate limited resources effectively,” said Mel Kiel, Project Officer with Little River Landcare.

The free workshops will be held across the region throughout August. The Forbes workshop will take place on Tuesday, 21st August at the Forbes Inn Hotel from 12pm to 4pm. To attend, please contact Mel on 6846 4569 or projects@littleriverlandcare.com.au.

To find out more about these workshops or other Central West Local Land Services events, visit centralwestlls.nsw.gov.au

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