User Profile

Andrew Mole

All eyes on water depths

ERRATIC rainfall across the Mallee, and from Mildura east to Swan Hill, for the past four months, has water as a precious commodity well and truly back on the agenda. The region has a huge rainfall event when no-one wanted it, with falls for last...

15 Feb 2025

Farming and Environment

Doesn’t augur well for pests

CARPOPHILUS truncatus might not realise it just yet, but the destructive insect is in the sights of Mildura-based entomologist Dr Samantha Edley. Who has taken a wandering path between university in Wales and Agriculture Victoria’s...

29 Jan 2025

News

Mature fleabane control a focus at BCG Trials Review Day

MATURE fleabane will go under the industry microscope at the Birchip Cropping Group early next year. The peak research group will stage a trial review day on Friday, February 21, at the Birchip Community Leisure Centre. When BCG research agronomist...

03 Jan 2025

News

King Rat

Some people run screaming into the night if they run into a rat, but Heath Verhey is seeing rodents in a whole new light – he has started farming them. You might have a few rats in your backyard, from time to time, but Heath has thousands and...

02 Jan 2025

News

Experts chuffed about chaff research

CONCERNS chaff lines generated by harvest weed seed control programs might increase the risk of crop damage from pests have been allayed through new research. Researchers investigated the diversity of invertebrate populations in southern region...

02 Jan 2025

News

Nationals condemn soaring fire services levy

TREASURER Tim Pallas’ announcement of significant increases in the emergency services and volunteers fund (ESVF) have been condemned by the opposition parties as a blatant tax grab. Last week Mr Pallas said from July 1 next year the ESVF would...

31 Dec 2024

News

Eyes up for overhead power lines on your farm

THE danger of overhead power lines has been doubled as we head into the depths of the 2024-25 fire season. Particularly as farming machinery gets larger, increasing the risk of contact with overhead powerlines. Electricity can even arc from a live...

30 Dec 2024

Farming and Environment

Spray warnings - get the drift

GRAIN Producers Australia is urging growers to be alert, vigilant and proactive, to maintain high standards for pesticide application, and protect crops from spray drift damage. GPA’s timely warning comes after Cotton Australia recently raised...

30 Dec 2024

Bowls

Racecourse Bowls Club’s new turf now open

WITHOUT sounding too biased, the members at Swan Hill Racecourse Bowls Club reckon they’re well on their way to having one of the premier clubs the length and breadth of the Murray. Friday’s official launch of the club’s new Tiger Turf green by...

25 Nov 2024

Farming and Environment

Wean calves early

AGRICULTURE Victoria livestock development officer Nick Linden believes that as a result of low feed availability, producers with autumn calving cows may be considering weaning calves earlier than normal. Mr Linden says early weaning is an immediate...

04 Oct 2024

Sport

Midnight strikes for McNeil

IT was raining cats and dogs on horses and jockeys at Mornington last Friday but you don’t mind getting a drenching if you win. Which explains the big grin on Jye McNeil’s face after the $27,000 Rhon and Darryl Nation Plate over...

10 Sep 2024

Farming and Environment

Warnings on hay days ahead

AS the green drought drags on, industry specialists are urgently advising farmers to fill their sheds with hay this season to stay ahead of warnings about potential shortages. Feed Central national sales manager Dave Clothier said already low stocks...

07 Sep 2024