The Farmers Club Newsletter

The “Club Notes” for Thursday, the 19th of October 2023

By Dwain Duxson

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Letting outsiders in

Take a read of the article below first. It's the third image down, the long article. It's from a bright young Rancher out of the US. So what did you reckon? It makes alot of sense to me and got me thinking about what we need in Australian Agriculture. I am guilty of being a bit dismissive of people from outside of Ag coming in. But, like in the US, we need them otherwise, we will be spreading ourselves too thin. We have spoken before of the number of skills required to become a Farmer and that those skills are learnt skills and take time to master. But she's right because we can't keep operating and expecting good results when we don't have enough people, or we work our fingers to the bone and burn ourselves and others out. Would you take on someone with no Ag experience? Reply to [email protected]

It's time MLA spent some money

My wife Paula said to me this morning, "If sheep and Cattle Farmers are doing it tough, then why isn't the industry promoting Red Meat meals?". I sat in the thinking chair, thought about it, and concluded that she was spot on. It's time for MLA to spend some money. The reason I think it might work is because a guy called Tim Neale put up a post with a picture of a delicious-looking Lamb roast with the caption, "Do yourself a favour Australia. Go and buy some Lamb. Farmers need you right now". It got heaps of shares and plenty of comments saying, "I'll grab one for tonight". Check out the image below. Tim's a popular guy, but imagine if this could be amplified across the whole country. Surely, that would clear some stock because we can't wait until Australia Day. If anyone knows anyone in MLA can you please forward it to them. Thoughts? Reply to [email protected]

Ag entrepreneur Rod Polkinghorne

We don't celebrate our Ag entrepreneurs enough. I have written about a couple of them but should be doing more. Our subject today is Rod Polkinghorne. Rod grew up on a Wheat and Sheep Farm near Charlton in Victoria but went on to be a prominent player in the Beef industry. Rod founded MSA (Meats Standard Australia), which grades Beef so we get consistent eating quality. The MSA program, which is an industry-wide program, turns 25 next year. Currently, 3.25 million head are graded to MSA standards. Rod is also the pioneer of Lot Feeding in Australia, something he discovered in the US. Today, Lot Feeding is an industry on its own and has its own body. Rod also discovered that marbling and fat were key ingredients in a tasty Steak. However, he thought it was the opposite, that leanness was the key to taste. It just goes to show that what we think is right might not necessarily be so. Please take a listen to a Podcast here featuring Rod. It's a great story with plenty of lessons. Reply to [email protected]

Celebrate our Farming areas

I am heading to Yarrawonga today to catch up with a few people. We actually lived there for 10 years when we started the Farm Tender Business, so it will be good to head back. The Yarrawonga Farming area is one out of the box for growing Crops. They have had some fantastic years, and I was talking to one Farmer yesterday, and he said, "yes Ducko, we have been kissed on the proverbial again this year. Some look like getting 8-tonne Crops". We wrote a story about how many Yarrawonga Farmers headed North into NSW to buy cheaper Land in the more marginal areas and, by doing that, have expanded their businesses exponentially. Take a read of "Head North and Multiply" here. I sat in my thinking chair and thought we should be celebrating and learning more about all the Farming areas we have. The Yarrawonga Farming area is a great one to study. I look forward to seeing the Crops and catching up with some friends later today. Tell me about your Farming area. See a photo below. Reply to [email protected]

End of message.

Dwain Duxson

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