farming
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Planning pigsty?
No piggery has operated in Monegeetta for 10 years yet locals remain restricted by its planning triggers and are demanding answers. Neighbours to the former Monegeetta Piggery on Chintin Road are facing unnecessary red tape when seeking to make changes to their properties, which has cost them time and money. Macedon Ranges Shire Council introduced…
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Chooks in my back yard
Do you want to know about keeping chooks in your back yard, but don’t know who to ask? Pipers Creek Landcare, with specialist assistance from Kyneton District Poultry Club, will conduct a chook workshop with an emphasis on family fun for new people to the area both on rural blocks and in town. Talk one-on-one…
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Soil scientists share knowledge
Landowners in the district can gain a better understanding on soil management by attending a free workshop hosted by the Upper Campaspe Landcare Network on an olive farm in Edgecombe. Soil scientists Christian Bannan from South East Soil and Water, and Melissa Cann and Martin Hamilton from Agriculture Victoria will bring their wealth of knowledge…
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Idea the bee’s knees
Claire Moore hopes to help solve the global problem of bee decline from her own backyard in Kyneton. She aims to breed genetically diverse bees in Australia to combat several industry threats and her plans have seen her named a Victorian finalist for the 2019 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award. “I want to create better genetics…
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A long road to recovery
Clare Claydon and Win Westerhoff live on mainly agricultural land at Glenhope. Fire shouldn’t be able to tear through that land but the perfect storm of Black Saturday’s heat and wind, and 10 years drying out in the Millennium Drought, meant it stood no hope. The fire had been snaking its way along the boundary…
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Community spirit shines through
February’s dry heat has stirred emotion for Redesdale residents with memories still fresh of Black Saturday that was almost 10 years ago to the day. For third generation farmer Andrew Campbell it’s knowing the destruction a fire of that intensity can leave in its wake that “sets your teeth on edge”. “It roars through in…
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Field day to double
Tree changers and farm novices will have access to practical advice and demonstrations to get their property thriving at This Farm Needs a Farmer’s second annual field day. Already promising double the exhibitors on last year, the February 24 event will feature mentors, community groups, roving farmers, demonstrations and guest speakers at the Kyneton Showgrounds.…
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Yards too hot?
Scorching temperatures brought animal welfare to the fore as Kyneton prepared for its annual weaner calf sale last Wednesday. Despite a forecast well above the mid-30s the sale proceeded with 1300 quality steer and heifer weaners yarded, which is typical practice according to Macedon Ranges Shire Council. “Sales are usually only cancelled if dangerous conditions…
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A way of life under threat
A multi-pronged approach is needed to help combat the serious threat posed by fruit fly, advocates say. An action plan to combat the destructive insect pest will be launched at Harcourt’s new twilight market this Saturday. Harcourt Valley Landcare earlier received $5000 from the state government to develop a fruit fly action plan and deliver…
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Free-range fun
Let the kids roam free on Kyneton Show Day this Saturday to explore their imaginations with hours of free activities in the kids’ zone around the netball courts. There’ll be a new ‘free play’ addition in the kids’ tent where youngsters can choose from a craft smorgasbord, reusing materials like cardboard tubes, boxes, fabric, yarn…
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Sisters get show-ready
Drummond North sisters Rhiannon, 12, Zoe, 10, and Sasha, 7, have been preparing for months for the cattle competition at November’s Kyneton Show. It will be the first time all three Hohnberg girls are old enough to enter the Junior Handler competition. “They live for it,” their mum Hannah said. “That’s all they talk about…
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Abuzz for new microscope
Honeybees will be put under the microscope to give diseases like nosema and American foulbrood the buzz-off in the Macedon Ranges. Woodend Bee-Friendly Society has acquired a new compound microscope that will be key in early disease detection to minimise impacts to local hives and agricultural ventures. WBFS bio-security officer Paul Green said nosema had…