Notes from Dr Harm van Rees talk to BCG Women's Agronomy Group

Jane’s Report on the Birchip Womens’ Agronomy Group Workshop
14th October 2010

Dr Harm van Rees, a long term consultant to BCG explained Climate Change and Farm Variability, using maps and graphs and science to simplify a complex topic.

Using research and crop trials to help farmers ‘weather the weather’

• Mallee region in Victoria has had 9 years of low decile rainfall.
• This dry period has seen more permanent change in weather patterns and the pattern is different to what we see in history. Very low spring rainfall.Increase in early summer rainfall. Higher temperatures and more hot days in spring
• Locusts are a looming concern for crops this 2010 spring/summer First time they have come into Victoria and hatched prior to harvest. Potentially could be very damaging. Farmers are monitoring hatchings and getting prepared to spray
• 
  Finance- we only have 100% though sometimes we want to spend more. 30% of farm income is now spent on finance. There has been a run of negative income years in the Mallee
• 
  BCG crop trials are looking at input cost cutting strategies.
  Farm input costs have had to be reduced as finance costs have increased
  
• Even though there have been large fluctuations in grain and input prices, it has been rainfall that has most affected profit – the Mallee region needs decile 4 rainfall (250ml) to make a crop profit.

Options
Hope for rain

• 
  Diversification (eg duck sheds, sheep feedlots, hay) It costs $35.00/head to bring sheep from Western Australia to Victoria
• 
  Growing Hay; it was noted that it is difficult to grow good hay and a good crop in the same year – for example this year’s vetch crops mowed before this heavy rain are now slime
  Increasing Sheep numbers;
• 
  The Mallee had a new watering system implemented in recent years – gone from channels to water pipes. Some farmers didn’t put in the new infrastructure like troughs, so are no longer set up for stock.
• 
  In poor crop years having a sheep feedlot significantly increases the cash margin
• 
  Cropping – spreading the risk with spread of sowing dates. Early sowing options (by 30th April) reduces risk of heat shock days in Spring – more of a concern than frost in this region
• Sow a proportion dry to spread time of flowering
• Mixed seed sowing may be an option – must be declared
• Understand the business and how much it costs – Yield Profit
• Learn how to market your grain - must keep on top of it.

Jonathon White AWB speaks at BCG Womens' Agronomy Workshop

Jane’s Report on the Birchip Womens’ Agronomy Group Workshop
14th October 2010

Jonathon White of AWB Ltd explained grain marketing, models and products. It was interesting, as a Western Australian grain grower, to hear the Victorian perspective.

• 
  Food Security – grain stocks not as low as in 2008 but the forecast is that 60 days of wheat in the world will be the norm for 2010/11. In comparison - only 45 days worth in 2007/8 and 71 days in 2009/10
  
• 
  Prices have risen – sends a signal to growers to plant more wheat. “There is nothing like high prices to cure high prices" There could be big acreages in the ground next year– over supply
  
  
  The ‘Brand’ of Australian wheat in the world must be maintained. Educate Australian producers to ensure quality production practices. Accurate description of grain to ensure we sell what the customer wants
  
  The challenge with deregulation is to streamline the processes efficiently and accurately and to get the right product to port for the right consignment.
• 
  $US dollar is weak due to quantitative easing – government subsidising the $. $A dollar is strong from commodities demand in China and exposure to Asia. The market expects the Australian dollar to be volatile – massive ranges
• 
  28 accredited marketers – only 3 really active.Will see consolidation in the grain marketing industry – mergers
  
  Building and operating storage in not really an option for grain marketers, so there will be an increase in on-farm storage
• 
  Alternate paths built to avoid monopolies – potentially Geraldton and Albany. May result in increased fobbing (FOB) costs
• 
  
  Grain Producers Australia – only peak body that can lobby government on behalf of growers
  Rail infrastructure and port capacity
• 
  Prices will be discounted due to supply chain constraints Will see site based pricing – not port based pricing
  
  Pools – competes with grain marketers that are now in the market place Ask what is the strategy of your pool manager
  
  Manage your risk by marketing in all three options Cash, Pools, Store and sell later
  
  Key Message; “Keep talking to your banks and marketers and keep learning!”

Learning Outcomes - Jane's Report

Key Learnings of Birchip Tour

(as scribbled by Jane as the WA Birchip Tour Group discussed their trip experience enroute back to Melbourne Airport)

• 
  After a long dry period it still knows how to rain……..60mls of rain fell whilst we were in Birchip 14-15th October 2010.
• 
  Whether you agree or not that Climate Change is happening, any ‘Drying Climate’ initiatives that are undertaken under the guise of climate change are beneficial to the environment and to social and financial wellbeing.
• 
  There has been a change in community and government’s perspective of the value of water.
• 
  The emotional impact of the extended dry period in north-western Victoria has been huge – it has affected whole communities, not just farmers and agri-businesses. There is value in implementing initiatives to support communities emotionally early – rather than delaying until quantitative evidence is collected
• 
  It was evident that considerable funding had been directed to drought-affected communities in north-east Victoria by State and Federal governments. How long did it take for this to happen?
• 
  We return home knowing more of agronomics, and we can talk about the soil types and crops of the Southern Mallee, but we also take home much more….an incite into human resilience, drought impacts on communities…
• 
  There is greater trust between people who have experienced and survived tough times together. Community rapport and support was also evident.
  
• Some of the conversations we’ve had during recent weeks at home as the implications of the very dry season were being realised, will be reassessed and seen in a different light. We will be more receptive to underlying messages and stress indicators.
• 
  Droughts do make the social fabric stronger but before that occurs there seems to be stage of pain and stress. By knowing it is a staged experience, how can we move to put positive strategies in place more quickly and reduce or prevent the difficult stage?
• 
  Within families it is really important to know if you are genetically inclined to have mental illnesses – if you know, then things can be different. Family members can be treated differently, and we can prevent serious mental illness and suicides.
  
• Mental Health First-aid courses are a useful initiative to encourage in our towns. Mentoring is valuable in supporting people in community leadership.
  
  Wheatbelt NRM projects need to shift their focus – possibly support stock management initiatives to reduce wind erosion and more efficient water management - eg feedlots.
  
• Despite the climatic conditions letting them down, people maintained their environmental work, undertaking projects like the bio diversity ponds for the betterment of the environmental; big picture.
• 
  The decision by State government to shut down the water channels and convert water supply to pipelines, caused whole of community concern in terms of the risk to native birds and wildlife. It brought about positive community action and has lead to improved water efficiencies too.
• 
  Out of adversity comes opportunity – diversification into hay, duck sheds, sheep feedlots.
  
• Local education is positively valued in Birchip - parents very supportive and happy with standard of local education.
• 
  Dry seasons have led to a slow down in young people going home to the farm, and some moves to encourage kids to gain a trade for alternative income back up.
  
• A proactive leadership group, like BCG (Birchip Cropping Group) can bring immense benefits to a district;
• 
  Brings intellect into town. Having a Thinker in Residence is really reaching for new opportunities and mindset change
  Brings young qualified people to town and expands the social diversity
  Acts as a community resource – increased grant acquisition
  Increase community profile – publicity and agricultural tourism
  Provides local employment opportunities
  Proactively recognises the role of women in agriculture
• The Yield Profit program is now increasingly implemented - using long term rainfall records to determine probability of a crop and the potential yield and profit for specific farms and paddocks.
• 
  The BCG kept being curious, and kept seeking new knowledge despite the tough environment – sooner or later all this expertise and on-going learning will reap rewards.
• 
  
  The Buloke Shire circulated a “Tool Kit for Getting Through Drought” – Rural People are known for their resilience but drought can really put this to the test”
  
• Lifeline Just Ask – 1300 131114
• 
  The Shire made swimming pool admission free!
• 
  The Council Plan 2009-2013, October 2010 edition had some significant quotes;
  “The Buloke community has experienced very difficult times at various intervals in its history and come through them stronger and more resilient than it was before.”
  None of us can create significant impact on our own: our potential is greatest when we work together.”

BCG Womens Agronomy Workshop

We Western Australian women really enjoyed sharing the learnings with women members of the Birchip Cropping Group.

An integral aspect of the Women's Agronomy Days is the round table discussion with women from across the region encouraged to speak of what is 'top of mind' for them in their business, their community and their family. Frankness, trust, empathy and mutual respect were evident.

Thank You BCG ladies for telling it how it really is 

 

We heard Dr Harm van Rees, a long term consultant to BCG, explain Climate Change and Farm Variability, using maps and graphs and science to simplify a complex topic. "Weathering the weather" - using factual evidence and proactive production-based research." For details please see the separate post report.

Jonathan White of AWB ltd explained grain marketing models and products - it was interesting to hear a Victorian perspective on the markets too. His parting message was "Keep talking to your banks and your marketers - keep learning!" For details please see the separate post report.

Lunch was a celebration of 'just being women' and being firends and enjoying the finer things of life....champagne was served of course! What a delightful outdoor eating area the BCG has constructed. And well done for keeping some lawn alive - even in dry seasons....

Rural Women Leading Change with Ellen White

After an early morning walk in the rain and a sumptuous breakfast prepared by Laurie Whelan at ‘The Good Loaf’, the Wheatbelt Women Farmers met with local women involved in Rural Women Leading Change.
Ellen White, program manager for the Regional Rural Women’s Reference Group, explained that ‘Rural Women Leading Change’ was an initiative of the Victorian Government’s Department of Planning and Community Development.
“Whatever changes your community is going through, women can lead the change and support people managing difficult times and coping with change.”

Notes in regard to climate change;
Society needs to build a shared understanding by seeking credible information
We need to proactively address waste, production methods and attitudes for long-term good.
Whether or not you agree with climate change these outcomes are beneficial environmentally, socially and economically.
Various household and domestic sustainability initiatives were supported.
Aleta Kilner explained the Bendigo Sustainability Group which has been supported by funding to improve people’s lifestyle sustainability-
Solar bulk buy and installation
Stormwater recycling
Community vegetable garden in the city
Water-wise initiatives
Farmers Markets














Key Learnings for Wheatbelt Women Farmers;
“There is a silver lining in adversity!” – look at how our community operates and re-assess. Make adversity a catalyst for good change.
During drought communities become ‘dehydrated’. Funds and projects are needed to ‘rehydrate the community spirit!’

As recorded by Jane Mouritz – 13th October 2010

Professor Kate Auty addresses the Women's Health Meeting in Bendigo

Professor Kate Auty addressed the Post AGM Gathering of Women’s Health Lodden Mallee held in Bendigo, Victoria, on Tuesday 12th October 2010.
The six Wheatbelt Women attended this as part of their rural Victoria tour. Here is my report.

Professor Kate Auty is Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability in Victoria.
The Commission’s objectives are linked to ecologically sustainable development – defined as ‘development’ that improves the total quality of life.
It involves;
Ecological processes
Biological diversity
The needs of individuals and communities
Intergenerational equity
Economic development
Professor Auty particularly urged that good science communication be spread to better inform people about Climate Change;
Climate Science is complex
There is a Climate Change Act in Victoria
This provides opportunity to investigate how communities, people in their homes, schools and work can reduce their energy use and their emissions.
There is a public health and wellbeing planning exercise underway in view of potentially changing climatic conditions
“Women can do anything if they set their mind to it” Prof. K Auty

The Wheatbelt Women Farmers discussed this presentation next day. Some considered that Victoria had an advantage by having the Climate Change Act – resulted in more funding opportunities and environmental initiatives for changing practices.
However, it was also observed that better outcomes can sometimes be achieved by not having a ‘regulative’ environment – by not applying sanctions but instead by educating and empowering people to be responsible for change, and encouraging them to be involved.

So how have they survived?

We have seen the rainfall data, and the hope for this season. The question remains, how do you get through 10 years of drought? With 2010 in the West Australian Wheatbelt set to be the 2nd lowest rainfall year on record.

What can we learn from our Victorian friends? The women's agronomy group was shown a very frank presentation on a couple of farms. They 'opened the books'.....the cost of finance has increase, and thank goodness for the low interest rates of the time....... the price of lamb has increased.....the farming practises have changed.......all three levels of Government jumped in with support........there were profit years along the way. The community has suffered, and worked out how to support each other.

The attached recording is John Ferrier, a wheat/sheep farmers with a couple of strategies they used during the drought.




Tarsh

Just Add Water!

Our trip to Birchip to learn drying climate strategies has ironically happened during rainy weather, and my farmer tour guide nearly got us bogged in his paddocks! The people of the Southern Mallee are understably cherishing the rain, and they enjoy just watching their paddocks grow. Sheep shearing is delayed, and vetch hay, recently cut and lying in rows, has been ruined, but the farmers were pretty philosophical, saying "Oh well the crops are still growing."
There is still a degree of tension though with locust hatchings being carefully watched, and little patches of frost evidence being checked - getting this season's harvest in the bin and money in the bank is critical for all - the farmers and the town businesses and for community confidence.
There is a degree of concern about the logistics of harvesting and transporting the crops to markets - the rail network seems unliklely to cope. Does this sound familiar to Western Australian Wheatbelt farmers?
Hooray, we are stopping for coffee, en route to the airport, so this blog is interrupted.
Key quote regarding marketing of wheat for you to think about;
There is nothing like high prices to cure high prices" - Jonathon White - AWB
regards Jane Mouritz

Yesterday we met with the Birchip Cropping Group's Women's Agronomy Group. It was a great day - very intensive, and lots of agronomy talk! (Not my strong area!!) For me, the most valuable part of the day was the discussions i had with the women from the group during the breaks. A couple of ladies were talking about communities, drought and depression, and one said she thought that 70 per cent of people in these types of communities were on anti-depressants. An incredible, and very scary statistic. Obviously the long term drought and the financial hardships associated with the dry seasons have had some serious medical impacts on people in the Wimmera Mallee and its something that community leaders in the wheatbelt of WA will have to take seriously from now on. One lady gave me some fantastic information that has been produced by the Buloke Shire (Birchip town) that deals with depression and handling stess. One paper is called "The Tool Kit for getting through the drought" ten strategies to cope with depression. very useful and i'll put more up later on this paper.

In WA, this area of "personal, social and mental health" has not traditionally been the role of the local government, but maybe our local Councils need to consider this area as a funding priority, particularly if the dry seasons in the wheatbelt continue. Community leaders need to know the signs of depression and be prepared to act.

We had a BBQ at John and Robyn Ferrier's place last night - fantastic hosts and a great finale to a really wonderful trip. Great to meet so many resiliant community minded people who are prepared to open their homes to strangers. HOpefully one day we can return the favour!

Chris and Melissis had 14 mls overnight - the relief on their faces this morning was priceless. Many more hurdles to overcome yet before the grain is in the bin and the money in the bank, but its one more step closer, and every step eases the burden that much more.

On our way back to the airport now, back to children, hot dry weather and reality.

Erin and I are staying with Chris and Melissa Rickard who are an amazingly resilient couple who live about 25 kms north west of Birchip. We had a great night last night with them and even convinced them (over beers and wine) to be interviewed on camera for the little DVD we hope to produce at the end of this trip. Erin and I are keeping our fingers crossed that we had the video equipment set up right because it was a fantastic interview, quite confronting and even emotional at times, but fantastic nevertheless. Melissa moved to the farm when she and Chris were married 10 years ago and she told us she has never seen a season as good as this one in her time on the farm. Interestingly, she said the drought and dry years have never affected her in the way that the expectation, promise and anticipation of this year's potentially fantastic harvest has. She told us that when it rained just two days ago and she could see it raining on the neighbor's property and not her's she had a physical reaction, she felt like crying and thought " we can't miss out again". She said this was the first time she had felt like that and had such a reaction. That story really illustrated the pressure on farmers at the moment. Feels like the hope, anticipation and anxiety could almost be bottled! The crops look so incredible here that these growers can almost taste the end result. After 10 -15 years of drought and dry years the need for a good year is critical. In saying all that Chris still talked about the possibility of frost, the impact of a lack of spring rain, the effect of heat shock, and of course the impending locust plague.
Our crops at home are made to look so much worse when compared to Chris and Melissa's but it's hard to be jealous after hearing their stories. Here's hoping all the stars align for them this year.

Droughts and flooding rains!

Wow - the day yesterday was so wet. The farm we are staying on now had 45mls in a thunderstorm on Tuesday evening. That stopped the shearing of their Dohne flock. The crops are huge and I feel happy for these people who have endured many years of reduced rainfall and drought.

We heard from Ellen White (Project Officer, Rural Women Leading Change) and other rural women yesterday of the incredible efforts to bring the communities together during those many years of trial due to this variable climate.

I must go now. Joy - we are off on a crop inspection. 4 - 5 Tonne wheat and barley crops to look at. Locusts are the big threat from the north. Right up my alley!!

Talk soon

Bendigo and Birchip

After dodging the rain all day we have arrived in Birchip and have had our first introduction to the Birchip cropping group. BCG 's mission is improving the prosperity of farmers and rural communities. There is a lot more happening than simply agronomic research and development.

Tomorrow we meet with the BCG Women's Agronomy Group and visit some trial sites after farm tours with our hosts.
I have been warned that my farm tour will be limited because the ground is so wet.

I enjoyed a fabulous home cooked, home grown lamb roast tonight. Thank you Rachael.

there is money out there during a drought

One thing that i have noticed about drought, and seems to be a recurring theme in the couple of places we've visited so far, is government funding seems to be pouring out of the metropolitan coffers and into regional areas. Community programs, from mental health counselling, to coffee groups, exercise forums, leadership programs are being established right across the regional areas to counter the "soft side" - excuse the expression - or perhaps the non scientific or agronomic impact of long term drought.

As a result, the communities here in the Wimmera Mallee region seems so incredibily strong and supportive in comparison to many towns in western australia that haven't had to deal with the same financial hardship. A silver lining to a very dark cloud. Be interesting to see if the government funding is so forthcoming now that it has rained, and everything is looking so spectacular here, and alternatively, if our state government is willing to allocate more funding into social and community programs if our drought continues longer than just 2010.

some of the ideas we heard today, through Ellen White project officer for the Rural Women Leading Change Program were amazing, and if funding were available, i can see would be incredibly valuable in developing sustainable rural communities, particularly utilising the often unrecognised skills and attributes of the women in rural areas, even in times of NON drought.

something to work on when we return!

Day one

Dramas at Perth airport made us 1 1/2 hour late. Rain rain rain on the drive to Bendigo made us Happy ( and sad). But we made it.

Had dinner tonight at the Womens Health ( Lodden and Mallee) AGM. After we heard an amazing talk from Kate Auty (Victoria Commissioner for the Environment). Met some lovely women wheat farmers.

Lessons:
-The Victorian Government is well serious about making their Departments more green ( no V6 cars here)
- Anyone can do anything if they set their mind to it. Transience and serendipity + work hard and take control (Kate Auty)
- we (Australia) needs to improve its science communication...especially climate science.... check out BOM/CSIRO state of the climate 2010
- linking health and environment....cross discipline
- stressful situation strategies - work together at someones place, eat, work and socialise together ( and good old fashion method)
- The Victoria state government paid 50% of land rates for rural businesses in drought effected areas
- 'drought force' program, paid to plant trees for replacement revegetation

Erin - Shauna - Tarsh and Jane

Rain locusts and serendipity

Finally in beautiful Victoria after a delayed flight - arrived to rain rain and more rain. What a contrast to Western Australia. Picked up our hire "bus" and headed out to our first stop of Bendigo. Most of us haven't seen rain like this all year. The landscape is so undulating that the black clouds seemed to merge with the paddocks. Quite spectacular although a bit challenging for the driver! Tonight we attended the Loddon Mallee women's health forum where we met a group of women from farms mostly north and north west of Bendigo. One woman I was chatting to came from a town called Speed and said the crops this year looked amazing bit everyone was getting concerned about the impending locust plague. They are obviously experienced with locusts and the damage they can do, in fact she told the story about a locust plague they had back in april where in just one morning they lost all their stock feed supplies - wiped put by a single locust plague. If it's not one thing it's another!
The guest speaker tonight was Professor Kate Auty, Magistrate and Victorian Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability. An interesting lady who spent a great deal of her childhood in Australia's north which influenced her highly successful career in law, particularly in regard to her involvement in establishing the Indigenous Koori courts in Victoria and WA. Her simple but effective message was that success is determined by Transience (broad geographical experience), Serendipity (being in the right place at the right time),and plain hard work (can't avoid that!). Off to Birchip tomorrow.

Cunderdin 11 October 2010

Here's some pictures of the crops on our farm, 8 km's south east of Cunderdin, in the dryest year ever recorded (since 1914 records started). They look strangely ok at this point but we can't see how there will be much grain in the plants with less than 120 mls over the entire growing season.

Sunday before Birchip

I have finally got to practice my blogging ready for the trip to Birchip. I took some horror photos of our crops yesterday which I will post later. The weather was absolutely horrible with 34 degrees and a north-westerly wind gusting between about 25 - 30 kph. Today is beautiful with scuddy showers passing through and cool.

Jane, love your strategies for a dry season. You should add your shop local rule. Top idea!

Experimental blogging

As our trip is nearing, I thought I'd try blogging.

I am looking forward to visiting Victoria, in particular Birchip. As it gets drier and drier here, I recognise that tips we learn could have great significance for me and our community.

Bright Ideas for Dry Seasons

Hi Farming Women
Our farming district in the Eastern Wheatbelt is recognised as 'marginal' with 350ml annual average rainfall. Though people have been farming here in Hyden reliably and successfully since 1922, it does mean we expect to get a couple very dry seasons in every decade.
As a result, this year's 94ml rainfall is not an 'unknown' . Though we don't like it, we feel we do know how to live through it, and to keep farming - with a few key learnings and proactive strategies. Here is the link to our suggestions: http://www.wheatbeltnrm.org.au/resources/Janes-Dry-Season-Strategies-2010.doc
How about adding to these so that we create a "Bright Ideas for Dry Seasons" list?
Yours in rural community spirit....Jane Mouritz
- Mouritz family at Hydillowah Farm, Hyden, Western Australia.

Thanks Chris for the techo training.

This is Chris David - the communications facilitator at Wheatbelt NRM. I'm practising my video skills ... and uploading footage to a new BLOG......

Tarsh

Video practice with Sue Carter

A short clip of the women amidst picturesque ruins just out of Northam, learning how to shoot video for their upcoming trip to Birchip, Victoria.

Learning how to blog

We are learning how to blog today

Recognising Woman Farmers

A group of women from the Wheatbelt will be funded to visit Birchip to meet with the Birchip Cropping Group's women's agronomy group, and the authors of "Critical Breaking Point" to talking about how they have managed with 10 years of drought.

They will come back to WA and host a morning tea in their local community to share the stories.  Each lady will be profiled in the rural media, and help Wheatbelt NRM to understand how women participate in decision making in their farms.