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FARM GATE NEWS PUBLISHED BY 3 Innovative Solutions To WINE GRAPE PROBLEMS P6 The Grant Sheds Pin-Up Boys of Aussie Farming! P2,3,4,5,6 & 7 This Edition’s LOCAL AUSSIE LEGEND P4-5 A MYSTERY UNCOVERED How Our Mallee Scrub Was Cleared For Farming P6 PREVENT FARM FIRES Save Your Crops & Farm Machinery P6 SAVE TIME with efficient HAY SHED DESIGN P7 A BI-MONTHLY NEWSLETTER TO INFORM AND ENTERTAIN YOU SEPT-OCT 2013 FARM GATE NEWS The Farmer’s Newsletter PHONE 1800 088 528 EMAIL [email protected] GRANT SHEDS PO Box 29, Monash, SA 5342 FAX 08 8583 5402 WEB www.grantsheds.com.au Yeah, Sorry guys, we know you’re gonna cop a ribbing from your mates ... Thats just the Aussie thing to do. Cop it on the chin and ask ‘em “So when are you getting your story in the most important farming magazine in the state? Win $50,000! YOUR CHANCE TO SEE PAGE 3 & 8
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Ss1182 grant news sept#3aoct lr

Mar 13, 2016

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Page 1: Ss1182 grant news sept#3aoct lr

FARMGATENEWS

PUBLISHED BY

3 Innovative Solutions To WINE GRAPE PROBLEMS P6

The Grant ShedsPin-Up Boys of Aussie Farming! P2,3,4,5,6 & 7

This Edition’s LOCAL AUSSIE LEGEND P4-5

A MYSTERY UNCOVERED How Our Mallee Scrub Was Cleared For Farming P6

PREVENT FARM FIRES Save Your Crops & Farm Machinery P6

SAVE TIME with efficient HAY SHED DESIGN P7

A BI-MONTHLY NEWSLETTER TO INFORM AND ENTERTAIN YOU

SEPT-OCT 2013

FARM GATE NEWS The Farmer’s Newsletter Phone 1800 088 528 email [email protected]

Grant ShedS PO Box 29, Monash, Sa 5342 fax 08 8583 5402 web www.grantsheds.com.au

Yeah, Sorry guys, we know you’re gonna cop a ribbing from your mates ... Thats just the Aussie thing to do. Cop it on the chin and ask ‘em “So when are you getting your story in the most important farming magazine in the state?

Win $50,000!YOUR CHANCE TO

SEE PAGE 3 & 8

Page 2: Ss1182 grant news sept#3aoct lr

P2 FARM GATE NEWS: The Farmer’s Newsletter

COMMUNITY

What Makes Country Life So Good? ...

A FARM GATE NEWS recipient recently told me that he has been receiving our newsletter for 2 years and only just realised that we here

at Grant Sheds actually fully write and publish it ourselves.

He thought that Grant Sheds must have been part of a franchise group and just whacked our name on it. That made us smile.

No...We do the lot. And we’ve been asked...”Why?”

The reason is, we want to feel closer to our farming communities, and that’s certainly working. We really enjoy putting this newsletter together and the feedback we receive is heart-warming.

When we head out and interview our farming friends, we learn so much about all the different farming types and people’s farming methods and choices.

We realise that what feels right for one person, may be quite different to another...But that doesn’t make either one wrong...Just different.

We have all different types of farmers on our list - grain & sheep farmers, wine grape growers, fruit or veggie growers, cattle farmers, almond growers, pig breeders, chook breeders or egg production, hobby farmers...And the list goes on.

Our hope is that by doing stories on a variety of farming types, you’ll find it interesting to see what farmers from outside of your own industry are doing, and seeing if their challenges are similar to yours. Sometimes you can get good ideas from people outside your own industry. I’m sure you’d have found some of our past stories interesting no matter what farming industry you are in yourself:

• Last issue’s story about Neil & Catherine Klinger at Crystal Brook and how they have chosen to focus on sheep only and they don’t use dogs.

• The Bruce & Val Bassham story about their move to growing alternative wine grapes organically in the Riverland and making and marketing their own wine brand.

• Andrew & Annette Cass’s story about their Loxton 18,000 acre grain farm - no sheep.

• Paul Martin’s Almond growing business at Lindsay Point, near Renmark.

• Henry Angas from Meningie - growing out dairy heifers.

• 84 year old Mort Matschoss and his Morkalla grain and sheep farm and his stories about his early years in farming.

• Tim Prior’s interesting story about why he changed the time of year for lambing on his grain and sheep farm near Kapunda.

• And many more.

We’re looking forward to some more stories on No Till Farming, Egg producers, Veggie growers etc.... So we hope you’ll stay with us.

And don’t forget, we LOVE your feedback and any IDEAS you have for future stores. Is there a story about yourself (come on don’t be shy) or someone else you know that would make an interesting story for all our readers?

Let us know. Our contact details are on the front and back pages of this mini-magazine.

PETER KUHLMANN’S 2012 AWARD YEAR ENDS

We were so tickled pink that the 2012 Australian Farmer of the Year and Grain Farmer of the Year was a SA farmer...and a member of our Grant Sheds Family.

That was Peter Kuhlmann from Mudamuckla, west of Ceduna, who farms in what has traditionally been considered ‘marginal’ farming country.

Peter owns a massive 25m x 24m x 6m (85’x80’x20’) Grant Sheds Machinery Shed.

I read in newspapers and magazines, and heard on ABC radio, numerous interviews with Peter and he did such a wonderful job of promoting farming and sharing his outstanding knowledge. We congratulate you again Peter, not just for winning the prestigious titles, but also for your enthusiastic promotion of farming.

Peter’s year as ‘Farmer of the Year’ has just come to an end, as the 2013 awards have just recently been announced, so he is probably looking forward to a quieter year. I asked him to share what he saw as the value he got from being involved in the awards. Read a little of his story on Page 3.

2013 AUSTRALIAN FARMER OF THE YEAR AWARDSPeter’s win, led me to think that we should nominate some of the outstanding people in varying farming industries that we have interviewed for ‘Farm Gate News’.

So, we nominated the following people:

• Andrew & Annette Cass Grain farmers at Loxton SA

• Bruce & Val Bassham Wine grape growers, Barmera SA

• Neil & Catherine Klingner Sheep farmers Crystal Brook SA

We are naming them here as our way of giving them peer recognition of the outstanding contributions they make to their farming industries via their forward-thinking approaches to farming issues. It is a great credit to them even to be considered and nominated for the awards.

Sadly, none of them submitted an application, but we do understand their reluctance. Like all farmers, they are busy and they don’t believe they do anything special.

As Peter Kuhlmann says, “Many farmers are too busy or too humble, and therefore are reluctant to apply.”

We encourage the people we nominated, and anyone else, to give it a go next year. Peter also says that the application process is simple, so don’t be put off by that fear.

We have lots of outstanding contributors in our country communities...whether that’s farming contribution or community contribution and we are so delighted to be part of that.

Cheers for now

Alison & Danny & Our Grant Sheds Team

Don’t Miss Out!Please check your address on the envelope. To keep sending you your copy of FARM GATE NEWS, we need your correct POSTAL address.

Australia Post is returning a greater number of letters with addresses they consider to be insufficient.In particular, RMB RSD PMB types of addresses often get returned. Recent emergency services rural numbering systems have also confused people.

YES, This Is Our Own Mini-Magazine For Farmers

Check your address on the

envelope so you keep receiving your copy of

FARM GATE NEWS

Page 3: Ss1182 grant news sept#3aoct lr

Peter Kuhlmann was the 2012 ‘Australian Farmer of the Year’ and he says, “For me it has been a remarkable year. I still can’t believe that this wheat farmer from the ‘edge of the desert’ had the opportunity to briefly talk with Prince Charles!”

“The award is not necessarily about being the best farmer and certainly not the most produc- tive in my case, “ Peter muses. “I think I was selected due the way I tackle the challenges in farming in one of the lowest yielding cropping areas in Australia and to my contribution to the industry”.

My story in one sentence is.... “I am a wheat farmer who recognises the fundamental value of farming as part of the food and fibre industry and its contribution to the economy, the environment and our communities. We deserve a fair share of

the nation’s infrastructure, services and digital technology.”

Peter also thanked the award sponsors, saying, “Without the award sponsors the chances of a grain grower from Mudamuckla in the back blocks of South Australia’s west coast, being given this award and the opportunity, and the privilege, to represent all farmers at various industry-related events would be somewhere between ‘highly unlikely’ and ‘you’ve got to be joking”.

He encourages other farmers not to be reluctant to enter the awards. The awards highlight and help the image of agriculture in Australia and he says, “It is a credit to even be considered and nominated for the Australian Farmer of the Year Awards.”

Peter is looking forward to spending a period of time at the farm doing some farm work and getting this year’s one in 20 year bumper grain crop’ into the silo.

FARM GATE NEWS: The Farmer’s Newsletter P3

Buy Your New Farm Shed in OCTOBER and get OUR BEST PRICES PLUS DOUBLE-YOUR-ENTRIES

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2012 AUSTRALIAN GRAIN GROWER OF THE YEAR & OVERALL FARMER OF THE YEAR

Tackling Tough Aussie Farming Challenges

2012 Australian Farmer Of The Year, grain

grower, Peter Kuhlmann from Mudamuckla.

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in the “Your Chance To Win $50,000” Prize Draw.That’s right, it’s now 2 entries for every $1000 invested in your

new Grant Sheds farm shed.

So for example, if your new shed is $30,000 then instead of 30 amazing entries, you’ll now get a whopping 60 entries in the prize

draw competition...Increasing your chances dramatically.

So don’t delay - Order Your New Grant Sheds farm shed before October 31 and get DOUBLE YOUR ENTRIES in the

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Page 4: Ss1182 grant news sept#3aoct lr

Underbool, with a population of only 200 people, is a very small, Victorian country town about 50km west of Ouyen and 80km east of Pinnaroo.

Living there since childhood is local stalwart and community man Greg Brown. Now in his early 70’s, Greg has a very strong and long connection with the farming district.

Historical Family Ties“My grandmother was the 3rd person to live here and the Brown’s have been here in Underbool for 100 years.” explains Greg. “My parents were Neil & Nelma Brown and they were Underbool/Walpeup people.

I’m married to Dorothy (Nee Towk) from Walpeup. I met her at a dance and we were married in 1965. We have 4 children. Helen, Ian, Barbara and Shirley and we have 8 grandchildren.”

Greg went to school at Underbool State School until grade 6 and then spent 4 years at Ouyen High School, during which time he lost 3 months from each year, bed-ridden in hospital or at home, with rheumatic fever. He says he lost about 11/2 years of high school and had to go back to grade 8 for a while.

Underbool had about 50 students at that time but there were a lot of outlying schools all around, such as at Linga, Boinka, Tutye, Warooa, Daalko, Welshmans Plains and Torrita. Now there are only about 16 at Underbool and no outlying schools - much like many farming communities.

Country Entertainment In The “GOOD OL’ DAYS”

Greg says, “There used to be dances somewhere every week. When we were mobile with a vehicle we went to dances or the pictures. There was always a dance somewhere from Cowangie to Ouyen (a distance of about 110kms). We used to get good crowds, good supper and play Euchre out the back. They all had local bands. We wore coats and ties and if it was a ball you wore a suit.”

They also attended the pictures that were shown at Underbool, Ouyen and Cowangle and on weekends they’d go out shooting.

Farming and Business

Greg says that he has always been a farmer. “I Ieft school when I was 15 to farm. My father let me come home to farm provided I passed 4th year at high school. Otherwise I had to stay at school and get a non-farming job.

But I’d had enough of school so I studied hard and passed with honours, over 80% on all subjects. So he couldn’t refuse my wish to go farming and I have been a farmer or share farmer ever since - from 1957 to now.

When I was 5, my parents moved the farm home into Underbool on a truck. The reason being water, electricity and school. They didn’t have any of that out on the farm - just a rain water tank.

When Dorothy and I married, we stayed in that home until 2000 when we built our 1st new home. We were originally only going to stay in the house in town for a few months but we ended up there for 35 years!”.

Greg & Dot later developed their own Underbool stock and station business. “In the 60’s we had drought, mouse plagues, poor prices, frosts, wheat quotas and wool collapsed. That was when we went into the stock and station business.

The 1960’s completely changed our lifestyle. We also took on selling Shearer and Horwood farm machinery. It was a means of getting extra income because of the factors that happen in those years.”.

They ran the farm supplies business successfully for many years and it became a very viable business. There were 40 accounts at Underbool and they ended up with 400 accounts in the Mallee.

Greg sold the majority of that business about 15 years ago. He retained some fertiliser and machinery portions of the business and his son Ian has become the machinery dealer and Greg is the fertiliser distributor.

Outstanding Community Spirit

“I wasn’t a very sporty person and I worked weekends, but I did take my own children to sport - to football, etc,” explains Greg. In some other

local community activities, Greg’s input has been outstanding.

COUNTRY FIRE ASSOCIATION: “I was 17 when I became secretary at the Underbool CFA. The fire brigade has been a big thing in my life. I was secretary for 10 years. In that time we received a truck and built a shed and competed in championships.”

Underbool has competed in every champion-ships since 1959 and have been champions of the region for many of those years with some state achievements.

Greg has been a lieutenant and spent 30 years as captain and has also been deputy group officer. “In all I’ve spent 50 years as an officer and I’m still a member,” explains Greg. “We’ve certainly had some big fires come out of the desert, plus crop and house fires locally.”

SCOUTS: Greg was scout leader from 1953- 1964 and was on the committee from 1979- 1983 while his son Ian was in scouts.

COUNCILLOR: Greg has already had 2 terms on the Mildura Rural City Council. The first was from 1997-2000 and the 2nd was from 2003-2006. And he is now in his 3rd term.

The current voting system favours the populated areas of the Sunraysia district, at the expense of rural areas. “I really felt that the new council must have representation from the farming areas. The city view, while sympathetic, just does not understand the issues of the rural towns and farming areas.”

Mildura RC Council is still the only Victorian shire to allow B-doubles access to all farms and roads in the municipality without the need of a special permit.

When the speed limit was dropped to 100kph in Victoria, many South Australians were caught with speeding fines as they travelled across the border from SA’s 110kph speed limit. Greg instigated, with assistance

from Jeff Kennett, the return to the 110km/hour speed limit on the Sturt, Mallee and Calder Highways within the Mildura RCC area. But travellers should still beware! When travelling to Melbourne, the highway speed limit still drops back to 100kph at Wycheproof!

P4 FARM GATE NEWS: The Farmer’s Newsletter

Resourcefullness, Determination and Community...THE SPIRIT OF TOUGH AUSSIE FARMERS

Greg Brown of Underbool is a shining example of

‘Country Community Spirit.’ Here we discover the

community groups he’s been involved in and how he has

successfully handled many challenges in his 71 years.

Left: The Underbool Pub. Right: The plaques on the Pioneer Wall that is in the main street of Underbool (see top of page 5)

Page 5: Ss1182 grant news sept#3aoct lr

Greg also recently fought valiantly to prevent the differential drainage rates system being removed. That’s the difference between what dry land farmers and irrigators pay for drainage rates. He was unsuccessful in preventing this change and that caused most dry land farmers rates to increase dramatically. But without Greg there, fighting for the rights of the rural people, the viewpoint of dry land farmers would never have even been heard.

And Greg has not given up! Instead he now has the fight of his life, seeking to introduce a differential council rate system for dry land farmers to counteract those drainage rate issues. He says, “Most dry land farmers pay about $9,000-$10,000 per year in council rates, while the residential ratepayers pay an average of only $1700.” This seems terribly unfair when it is the city dwellers who benefit most from council provided infrastructure.”

Greg’s Association With Grant ShedsGreg included shed sales in his agency business, and it was through this that he first dealt with Grant Sheds and met Grant Sheds founder, Grant Telfer. Greg had a long association with Grant Sheds and can rattle off many of the people who bought ‘Grant’ sheds in the Underbool district over many years... and even what types of sheds they bought. Most of these sheds are still being used, in some way or other, today even though many are now too small for today’s massive farm machinery and equipment.

He also remembers Grant Telfer, back in the 1960’s arriving in overalls and bare feet to deliver sheds in the district. Can you imagine the OH&S implications of that these days...?? That is still Grant’s daily ‘uniform’ though at 81 years of age, he no longer delivers sheds!

Greg also remembers, back in 1985, when a young Alison & Danny attended one of his

‘dealer days’ at his Underbool business and did shed quotes from ‘the back of the car’. He remembers clearly that our toddler son was with us this day ... and do you know who that son was?

It was Brenton, who is now 30 and works with us in our office. You may have spoken with him when you call our office. He is very friendly and helpful and enjoys talking with farmers and does a lot of our shed quoting. He must have had it in his blood since birth!

And the relationship hasn’t ended yet. Greg purchased, for the farm he still operates, a new 9m x 12m x 3.6m Grant Sheds Machinery Shed just last year. And any time Greg Brown travels through the Riverland he always calls in to see us at our Monash office and also visits Ali’s Dad (Grant).

As we were travelling down in Greg’s country a little while back, we thought we’d be crucified if we didn’t return the visiting tradition. We hadn’t arranged it in advance but while unloading 2 garages for Kieran Hayter at Linga (only a short distance from Underbool) we mentioned to Kieran that we were going to pop in to see if Greg was home. Kieran immediately offered to phone Greg for us as he had Greg’s number in his mobile phone. So he dialled the number and handed his phone over to Danny.

When Greg answered, Danny said, “G’day Greg, This is Danny from Grant Sheds.”

“What...? Who ...? How can this be Danny? It’s Kieran Hayter’s number that has appeared on my mobile phone screen.”

We all had a bit of a laugh as this old dog has kept up with technology and obviously reads his phone screen before answering.

Greg showed us the article about him in a recent ‘Border Times’ story and we enjoyed a lovely cuppa and time chatting with him.

Today

At 71 years of age, Greg is still farming and is a selling agent for 5 fertiliser companies.

On the day we visited him Dot wasn’t home as she’d gone off with friends for the weekend to some Open Garden displays in the south-east of SA. Greg invited us in for a cuppa and ‘scones’ (packet biscuits) and told us not to tell Dot that he hadn’t used the best china!

Greg is still very bright, very charming and still the consummate ‘people person’ that we’ve always known. No wonder he’s been successful in his chosen fields and continues to enjoy good health.

FARM GATE NEWS: The Farmer’s Newsletter P5

Resourcefullness, Determination and Community...THE SPIRIT OF TOUGH AUSSIE FARMERS

Left: The Underbool Pub. Right: The plaques on the Pioneer Wall that is in the main street of Underbool (see top of page 5)

Grant Sheds delivery truck back in the 60’s

Underbool’s Local Aussie Legend

Greg Brown in front of Underbool’s Pioneer & Early

Settler Memorial

Good on you Greg Brown.

You’re another “Local Aussie Legend!”

Greg Brown on the day we visited him. One of those country blokes

who has no intention of retiring!

Grant Telfer in the 80’s in his ‘uniform’... White overalls, bare feet

and one of his trusty bikes

Page 6: Ss1182 grant news sept#3aoct lr

P6P6 FARM GATE NEWS

We congratulate South Australian grape grower Ashley Ratcliff who has been named the Kondinin-ABC Rural, 2013 Australian Horticultural Grower of the Year. Not many people look at expanding when their industry is doing it tough but that is exactly the strategy employed by Ashley & Holly Ratcliff when the wine market hit the wall and it is paying dividends for them today.

Ricca Terra Farms might only be 33ha in Barmera, in the heart of South Australia’s Riverland, but it is an incredibly productive little patch of dirt. Today they produce as much as 800 tonnes of wine grapes every year to supply high-profile wine brands.

But size and volume is no defence against drought, high input costs (such as irrigation water and power) and the low demand for wine grapes, which have presented serious challenges to the wine-grape growing industry.

The solution for the Ratcliff’s during these challenging times has been to seriously bite the bullet and increase the scale of their vineyard holdings, to remain viable in the industry. But that is not the only avenue of improvement that Ashley pursued.

He also investigated alternative measures to mitigate the impact of drought beyond the purchase of expensive – and temporary – water. He ended up focusing on three main areas which he says have helped him build robust management strategies to manage input costs and drought:

• Drought-tolerant rootstocks: Less water is required to irrigate vineyards grafted on rootstocks such as Ramsey and Ruggeri and it actually improved wine quality.

• More suitable grape varieties: Ashley went to Sicily and found Nero d’Avola, Grillo and Vermentino all perform exceptionally well in the heat. The Ratcliff’s planted them at Ricca Terra Farms and found they were better suited to the extremes of a South Australian summer. To promote these potential ‘climate change’ varieties, Mr Ratcliff helped form the Riverland Alternative Wine Group (of which he is the current chairman) and is encouraging other growers to plant these new varieties. Today companies such as Yalumba, Orlando and Angoves are successfully making and selling wines from ‘climate change’ varieties.

• Mulch to conserve soil moisture: The water saving properties of mulch applied under the vines has resulted in up to 30% water savings without sacrificing yield or quality.

Recognise The Value Of GoodFARM MANAGEMENT

2013 Australian Horticultural Grower Of The Year

Barmera Grape Grower Refused To Be Crushed

Farm Machinery Fire Risk

Contributor: Steve McInerney MGA Insurance Brokers Ph: 08 8841 4200 Web: www.mga.com

Give MGA a call for all your FARM, CROP, BUSINESS & MOTOR insurance requirements

Farmers must take precautions during the harvest season as operating machinery in extreme fire conditions is dangerous. You should take all possible measures to mini mise the risk of fire. Fires are regularly experienced during harvest in stubble as well as standing crops. The main cause is hot machinery combining with combustible material. This is exacerbated on hot, dry, windy days. Seasonal conditions can also contribute to lower moisture content in grain and therefore a higher risk of fires.

To assist in preventing machinery fires it is imperative that all headers, chaser bins, tractors and augers be regularly cleaned and maintained. All machinery and vehicles must have an effective spark arrester fitted to the exhaust system to prevent fires. To prevent overheating of tractors, motorcycles, off road vehicles and other mechanical equipment, all machinery needs to be properly serviced and maintained. Keeping fire fighting equipment available and maintained is not just common sense, it is a legal requirement.

You must take great care when using this equipment outdoors. Tips on machinery include:

A be extremely careful when using cutters, welders and angle grinders to repair plant equipment

A ensure machinery components including brakes and bearings do not overheat as these components can drop hot metal onto the ground, starting a fire

A use machinery correctly as incorrect usage can cause it to overheat and ignite

A be aware that blades of slashers, mowers and similar equipment may hit rocks or metal causing sparks to ignite dry grass

A avoid using machinery during inappropriate weather conditions such as high temperatures, low humidity and windy conditions

A work on machinery in a hazard-free, clean working area rather than working in the field - such as on bare ground, concrete or workshop

A Keep machinery clean and as free from fine debris as possible as this can reduce onboard ignitions as well

Page 7: Ss1182 grant news sept#3aoct lr

P7 FARM GATE NEWS: The Farmer’s Newsletter P7

Combination Hay & Machinery Shed DesignIMPROVES FARM EFFICIENCY

Grant Sheds recently delivered a new 13m x 36m x 5.1m (42’ x 120’ x 17’) Hay Shed to Andrew Whitehorn, at Koolunga, near Clare, SA.

The shed is open on both ends and the reason for this is so that hay of one grain type can be stored from one end of the shed and hay of a 2nd type can be stored from the other end. This is instead of stacking one hay type at the rear and another at the front. It saves an enormous amount of time later on because it saves you having to move all of the front hay to reach the rear hay, if that’s what you sell first.

Andrew describes his experience working with Grant Sheds, “The process we found with Grant’s has been very thorough. You’ve always been in

contact with us and let us know when it’s going to be delivered. And the erection date is on time and that’s what we’re really aiming for. We are right on the brink of hay season and it’s all going to work out very well.”

Andrew continued, “When we bought the shed, they said they could have it up for this week, and that’s what’s happening. So I’m very impressed.”

Grant Sheds also appreciates Andrew’s early planning and organisation. He ordered his new shed with time to get it slotted into our busy pre-harvest delivery and erection schedules.

When asked if he could say one thing about Grant Sheds to other future shed buyers, Andrew was quick to say, “The communication has been delightful. And the shed we put up many

years ago has been a great shed - It’s never faulted. So we’re very happy.”

This is Andrew’s 2nd Grant Sheds hay shed. His first was purchased back in the early 2000’s and was 12m x 18m x 5.1m (40’ x 60’ x 17’).

When asked why he went with Grant Sheds again, Andrew explained, “We were very happy with the first one. We shopped around and decided that this was the best option - to go back to what we know and are familiar with.”

Andrew runs a mixed farm that includes all sorts of cropping, grazing, cattle feed lot, piggery, hay production and contracting...Phew - he’s one very busy man! And all this with three kids, he’s really got his hands full!

History of Mallee Scrub Rollers

People On The Land ... A Little Bit Of History

This is not Andrew’s Hay Shed, but similar if you imagine the far end open as well. The size is very useful for long farm equipment and, when open both ends, eliminates the difficult task of manoeuvering large farm machinery out of the shed.

The Mallee Roller played an important role in clearing mallee scrub for the development of agriculture in many farming regions. It was made from a large hollow log or steam engine boiler with a heavy timber framework attached to an axle centred inside the roller.

A long protruding pole extending from the left side had a dray wheel at the front from which a strong chain was attached. This guided the movement of the roller. A team of horses or bullocks was harnessed to the left side of the

wheel allowing them to walk on the rolled scrub.

This huge log was rolled through the dense mallee scrub, snapping off trees at the roots or ripping them from the ground.

Prior to rolling the scrub, large trees were nicked with an axe to enable all trees to be felled. This operation was followed by hand cutting of springbacks to allow burning.

Stick picking was followed by ploughing with a mould board to bring up the large bulbous roots

of the mallee trees which were then hand picked. Finally, cropping could commence.

This method of land clearing, although fast, left the settler to contend with shoot cutting and stump picking for many years after the initial scrub rolling. Most land in many farming districts was cleared using this method.

The roller in this photo (left), which is on display in the main street of Underbool, has been adapted for use behind a crawler tractor and was in use until the early 1960’s.

Photo courtesy DPI, Vic.

Andrew Whitehorn - Koolunga, SA

Grant Hay Sheds Still The Best

Option For This Busy

Farmer

This Mallee Scrub Roller is in the main street of Underbool, Vic.

Page 8: Ss1182 grant news sept#3aoct lr

FARM GATE NEWS: The Farmer’s Newsletter Phone 1800 088 528 email [email protected]

Grant Sheds PO Box 29 Monash Sa 5342 Fax: 08 8583 5402 web: www.grantsheds.com.au Grant ShedS PO Box 29, Monash, Sa 5342 fax 08 8583 5402 web www.grantsheds.com.au

GRANT SHEDS PO Box 29, Monash SA 5342 EMAil [email protected] © Copyright New Horizons (SA) Pty Ltd, Trading as “Grant Sheds” No portion of this newsletter may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. This newsletter is distributed with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering any legal or professional advice of any kind. The publisher disclaims any personal liability for the information, advice, recommendations and/or strategies presented within. It is up to the reader to comply with any local, state or federal laws.

MONTHLY HUMOUR

Sign seen on a Septic

Pump-Out Truck

during recent Federal

Election campaigns

CAUTIONPolitical Promises

On Board

www.GrantSheds.com.auFREECALL NOW • 1800 088 528GRANT SHEDS • BIGGEST SHED SALE EVER! • PAGE 3

Here’s another good reason to get your new shed from us – in fact, fifty thousand good reasons!

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The community Nature of Country People...“The oLD MonaSh PLaYGRounD”

1. 2.There are two easy components to this offer:

Everyone who receives this catalogue has the chance for one obligation-free entry into this Chance To Win $50,000 Sweepstakes.Just complete the on-line entry form at:

www.FarmShedCash.com.auOr call the Competition HotlinePhone: 1300 064 479And be ready to leave your full name, address & phone details.Only one entry per person is allowed by this method.SA Licence No: T13/1504. Vic Permit 13/1937 * Terms & Conditions apply see www.FarmShedCash.com.au for full details.

For every $1000 you spend with Grant Sheds, you will receive one entry to our Chance To Win $50,000 Sweepstakes.This is just another way of us saying “Thank You” for dealing with us. So not only do you end up with the Best Quality Farm Shed and Great Value, but you also get multiple entries and more chances to win, in the Draw for the Chance to Win $50,000!For ExAmplE:Farm Shed Value: $10,000 = 10 entriesFarm Shed Value: $20,000 = 20 entriesFarm Shed Value: $30,000 = 30 entries

one oBLiGaTion FRee enTRY 1 TiCKeT FoR eVeRY $1000 SPenT

Country people still have old-fashioned values. Here’s what founder of Grant Sheds, Grant Telfer built for our community.Grant built an Adventure Playground at Monash in SA that ended up covering 5 acres of land and was FREE to enter all day, every day.Do you remember going to it?So many families had fun on the 200+ pieces of playground equipment that he added over the years. It had slides (including 3 off a 45’ high tower), more than 30 types of seesaws, flying foxes and even basic roller coasters.People travelled from all over SA and interstate to have fun here. It was estimated to attract 300,000 visitors per year. And totally FREE to enter. Sadly the playground had to close in 1992 because it was the beginning of the litigation era and insurance companies would no longer insure it because they saw all playgrounds as high risk.

Grant at the playground with his bike, bare feet and white overalls ...

He’s quite a character.

To discuss your farm shed needs with our helpful team.

GrantSheds8ppA4Brochure.indd 3 30/08/13 11:11 AM

DOUBLEYOUR ENTRIES W

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DOUBLEYOUR ENTRIES W

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Buy Your New Farm Shed in OCTOBER and get OUR BEST PRICES PLUS DOUBLE-YOUR-ENTRIES In The “Chance To Win $50,000” Prize Draw

This joke seemed appropriate to our recent election as well. The joke was found in a building at the Millewa Pioneer Forest & Historical Village open air museum, at Meringur Vic. Danny & Ali visited the museum in September, on our way home from interviewing Yarrara farmer, Ron Hards. That story will be featured in a future edition of FARM GATE NEWS.