The Farmers Club Newsletter

The “Club Notes” for Wednesday, the 13th of December 2023

By Dwain Duxson

If you can, please get your family, friends and colleagues to sign up. See the website link here.

Mistakes will be made

The Marcus Oldham 2023 graduation was on last week. Fleur McDonald, Author and former Marcus student did a keynote speech to the group. She said this, "Now, while you're in pursuit of that goal, I'm going to promise you three things will happen. 1) You will make the most spectacular mistakes. 2) You will fail in some part. 3) Your best won't be good enough. Again, another promise: none of these things will matter. What will, is the way you react and deal with them and move forward. Only you are responsible for your actions and your future". I hope these emerging Agricultural enthusiasts listened intently because that's what exactly will happen. And if it doesn't, then they aren't trying. Well done, Fleur. What advice would you have for the young students entering the Ag space? Reply to [email protected]

Opportunity Cropping

Usually, we associate Opportunity Cropping in marginal rainfall areas that have a newfound moisture profile or a recently dried-up Lake bed. That is still the case, but with the ongoing summer rain in the South, some are looking at Opportunity Cropping in unlikely areas like SA and Victoria. Fast-growing Millet, Sorghum and Grazing Maize, as well as Multi-specie blends, are gaining in popularity for Grazing or Hay making purposes. It's been a growing trend over the years, and when the opportunity arises, some Farmers do not hesitate to give it a go. I remember when I was on the Farm, we had this block called Gray's Bridge, which has a beautifully balanced clay soil that seemed to hold the moisture well. If we got a Summer storm on this block, we used to grow Safflower, and one year, I remember we grew a ripper Crop without a drop of rain, all from built-up moisture. Have you had any success with Opportunity Cropping? Reply to [email protected]

4 on the floor

We wrote about the old 3 on the tree gear shift in the old Holdens, and we had a lot of replies; the story brought back a lot of memories for some. Many of the replies said they missed 2 other things not available in current Utes. The old 4 on the floor and the bench seats. I remember one of our old Holden Utes had a converted 4 on the floor, and it was pretty tricky and would jam pretty easily. The bench seats were great, and a few have called for the reinstatement of them. Someone also mentioned the advent of the Tray and how revolutionary they were compared to the tub set up in the old Holdens. Bring back a bench seat, yes or no? Reply to [email protected]

Ballarat Sheep and Lambs - Stand-out Lambs make $8/kg….. Take a read here.

End of message.

Dwain Duxson
0427 011 900

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