No 155 - Thursday's Club Notes

The “Club Notes” for Thursday, the 14th of March, 2024.

By Dwain Duxson

Pests with economic benefits

Rabbits have been one of the biggest pests seen here in Australia, but did you know that the industry was once the biggest employer of people at one stage. See the third image down. I guess there were that many around, and it was a bit of a staple at the time, so it makes sense. You see old photos of people catching Rabbits, skinning them and selling them off or serving them up at the table. I remember my Grandfather leased a couple of blocks of hilly Country around Moonambel (Vic), and the place had Rabbits everywhere; they did some damage in the Hills, which caused erosion on the already light soil. I don't know what his Sheep ate. So, the Rabbit can be claimed as a pest with economic benefits. But I am glad we have them under control now. Do you or do you have descendants that remember the Rabbiting days? Reply to [email protected]

Pay yourself first

I had a road trip yesterday to deliver the Can-Am for our latest Farm Tender competition. It was won by Cam MacGill from Ballarat. Cam and his team make the MacBro Woolpresses. A road trip for me involves listening to a few podcasts, and I can sometimes be seen pulled up on the side of the road, taking notes. A couple I listened to yesterday both talked about how many Farmers still aren't paying themselves a commercial wage. They operate on drawings, and some take only a minimal amount. Many Farmers employ people and have to pay these people a package, but they and their family members get neglected. Terry Tran, who we work with a bit at Farm Tender, said you need to pay yourself or other family members a commercial wage first and foremost and then work on how to make your business profitable after that. Most other businesses in the local Town pay wages to owners and staff. The Accountant would, the Supermarket, the plumper, etc. At Farmer Tender everyone is on a wage. As Farmers, why do we neglect ourselves? Don't worry, I have been there and done that myself. Do you still operate on drawings, or do you have a wage structure for everyone? Reply to [email protected]

What's your favourite?

We had the favourite Tractor Note, and we got a tremendous response. So, I thought I would try something a bit left field. What about your favourite Tree on the Farm? It might be a Tree you planted many moons ago; it might be a Tree that is unique on the Farm that stands out. It might be one in the garden of the Farm House. My wife Paula has a favourite Tree on our Farm, and I think it's a Yellow Box Gum that sits over our drive way halfway up the hill. I am a bit of a fan of the European Trees; I reckon they mesh well with our native Trees. I like the Oaks and the Ash's. I don't have a favourite yet, but I will make a decision on the Weekend once I look around and find a favourite. What is your favourite Tree on the Farm? Reply to [email protected]

VFF Survey

Do you have an opinion on the Victorian Farmer's Federation? If so, please fill out this quick survey from Ag Surveys.

Your replies

Below are snippets from some of the replies you sent in. All quotes will remain nameless. See a few current ones below:

• “The Farm is now going to be sold. He didn’t want to be on the Farm”. - This is an extremely sad story of a Farmer who committed suicide in his 40s. I won’t go into detail, but some people don’t want to Farm but feel obliged to keep the Family legacy going. Some people hate the Farm, and it could of been the root cause here or part of it. A reader sent this in.

• “I'm guessing if push comes to shove, the John Deere 4755 or the old County 1184 - In reply to our favourite Tractor Note.

• “Hi Dwain! I loved the story about the airborne Ram! I can’t say I’ve ever been that unorthodox before, but I do remember one time I had a 6-month-old Lamb in the front seat going through the KFC drive-through. Still not entirely sure whether the drive-through folks thought she was a Dog or a Sheep”. - In reply to our Note about a Ram that once travelled in a small Plane.

• “Yes, it was a challenge to maintain the presentation and maintenance of the machines with some of my staff, but grease is the cheapest maintenance you will buy”. - In reply to our Farm Tender Daily story about being a greaser or non-greaser. Read the story here.

• “Specialising in Hay and Silage, I had a policy of come clean, go clean. I did not want to be responsible for spreading weeds about the district. - A Hay Contractor who made sure their Machines were cleaned before he arrived and before he left.

• “Morning Dwain, an old Farmer I worked for,he was more like a de facto father to me, was in the RAAF in WW2. He tells of shifting bases and having to fly across a mountain range and being asked by the CO if he would take his Pit Bull Dog with him, which was against all orders, which stated no pets and definitely no pets in cockpits. My mate took off, and about halfway through the flight, the dog started to get aggressive and lunged at him. Above him was an escape hatch, which he promptly opened, and the slipstream effectively sucked the Dog out of the plane. The CO was a bit taken aback when the Dog didn't turn up, but when explained the situation said he would have done exactly the same thing”. - See no Dogs in Planes…..

• Hi Dwain. I’m up on the Gold Coast this week visiting my family and decided to attend the Magic Millions yearling sale. Anyway, they have Coopers as the main alcohol supplier, so I thought I’d take your advice and try a Pale Ale. I know it takes a while to acquire a taste for it - I give it a pass mark, but I think I’ll stick to a Carlton Draught for the present”. - At least you tried it Lance. Coopers Pale Ale is my drink of choice.

• “On the much-loved Tractors, my favourite was the John Deere 8430, 4 wheel drive purchased in January 1980, which made farming a lot easier and comfortable. It was the first one with a manufactured air-conditioned cab and brought much-needed comfort after years of firstly no cabs, louvre window ones, etc. Not to mention the lower noise level”. - A Farmer who saw the Tractor Cab as a luxury edition.

• “Talking to a couple of Farmers in the pub about Spraying, and they said they had Sprayed 4 times and one weed they can't kill”. - There’s been alot of activity this summer to retain moisture.

• “We’ve still got the W4 International that I learned to drive on in the 60’s. Ripping little Tractor hasn’t gone for a few years now but is tucked up in the Shed. As a kid, having to crank her was a bit intimidating, but you learned to do it right in case it ever bit back”. - Another favourite Tractor.

• “My favourite tractor is our Case/David Brown 1190. I bought it 27 years ago, and it’s just had its first real trip to the workshop. My Baler Mechanic reckons it’s the best small Baling Tractor he’s ever used. Hopefully, the kids will appreciate it when I pass on”. - Favourite Tractors again.

• “Hi Dwain. I reckon the worst situation I experienced with a tractor with no cab was when I did a morning stint for a neighbour, and it turned out freezing cold after I started. He brought another overcoat to wear and gloves. The tractor was a Twin City, about a 1955 model where you could stand up or sit on the seat. This was about in 1967/ 68. - An older Farmer talking about some of the conditions they had to endure pre Cabins.  

End of message.

Dwain Duxson
0427 011 900

Random and associated Ag articles and images.

Lance from Warracknabeal sent this in - Hi Dwain. These are a sample of some different types of horseshoes found over the years in the paddocks. Some unusual ones include longer shoes. Could they be for traction - we don’t have sandy soils, so perhaps your viewers might have reasons for them if you see fit to use them. There are 2  with a piece bent up at the ends - so it doesn’t come off under pressure, maybe? Does anybody know?