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.