Farm Gate News Nov-Dec 23 by Alison Halupka

FARMGATE NEWS

Written & Published By

NOV - DEC 2023

Your bi-monthly newsletter that brings community together

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11 Top Reasons to Invest In Your New Shed Now P7 100 Years Young See what a

Grant Sheds CHRISTMAS CLOSUR E We will be having our annual Christmas-New Year break.Closing on Friday 22nd December, and returning Monday 8th January.

special country lady is still achieving P3

Celebrating

Who is 20 years of service? P2 Hamley Bridge local community legends, Patsie & Greg Lowe share their farming story and the trauma of the 2015 Pinery fires on P4-5

FARM GATE NEWS The Farmer’s Newsletter

PHONE 1800 088 528

GRANT SHEDS PO Box 29, Monash, SA 5342

Ideas to Help You with your

FARM SHED

Solutions EMAIL info@grantsheds.com.au

FAX 08 8583 5402 WEB www.grantsheds.com.au

What Makes Country Life So Good?

COMMUNITY

Danny & 6 of our 9 grandkids waving to the neighbouring farm worker.

Demential Testing... A bit of fun for the end of the year … We’ve included some Dementia Test questions on most pages of this edition. The question is at the top of the page and the answer at the bottom. Don’t cheat … answer each question before you check your answer. And when you’re done … ask the same questions of your partner, family, mates or workers and enjoy a good laugh together. Here’s the first question.

Test Q1 ? WhatDementia do you put in a toaster? Give your answer before you check the answer at bottom of page.

Field Days 2023 Thanks to everyone who called in to see our team at the YP Field Days in September. Our guys really enjoyed seeing and chatting with you. We received lots of lovely feedback about how much people appreciate the services we provide when building a new shed for you (including the design knowledge and help, on-time supply and great building teams), and of course there were lots of shed quotes requested.

Helping in Ways We Don’t Realise It was also good to hear, at the field days, how much people enjoy reading Farm Gate News and what they get out of it. Here’s one story to share with you... A few years ago this man was at a low ebb. His wife had left him and he had to pay her out half the value of the farm, which wasn’t easy and thankfully he was able to negotiate to do over a few years. He said at that time, there was an article in Farm Gate News, “In Defence of Good Men” and that really resonated with him. It was just what he needed to hear at the time. For it to have meant so much that he still remembers it and comes in to tell Danny the story, I assume it must have helped him through a really bad period. We never know who or how we’re helping, hey? I’m humbled to know how much our little mag assists our country communities and I thank this man for sharing his story.

Last Chance ... To honour this very special man, Grant Telfer Our Monash community is progressing with our aim to build a statue of our famous Grant Telfer who built the A-maz-ing (old) Monash Playground back in the 1960s-90s and who also started Grant Sheds in 1952 when just 20 years old. You’d likely remember it … 180 mind-blowing pieces of play equipment for both children and adults, free to enter & open 7 days a week. An estimated 300,000 people visited each year . Grant made not a penny from it but provided spectacular fun and memories for all. Grant’s enjoyment was working out how many different and unusual things he could make and how to keep adults and kids both amused. I often wonder now, in today’s mobile phone addicted world, if parents would put their phones down and join the kids. I reckon they would … because there was something there to awaken their own inner-child and sense of daring fun! Anyway, we haven’t quite reached our financial target but we hope that you may be able to help out (if you haven’t already).

Danny Halupka (President of local Monash group, owner Grant Sheds & son-in-law of Grant) plus Lloyd Wright (statue organiser for our Monash group) with a cardboard cut-out of Grant as we envisage the statue to look.

Please make a cheque out to: Monash & Lone Gum Community Assoc Inc and post it to PO Box 29, Monash SA 5342 OR Internet Banking: BSB : 015 513 Acc: 221580897 Acc Name: Monash & Lone Gum Comm Ref: Statue & Your name Email: Please email ali@grantsheds.com.au to advise of your donation so we can track them & include your name on a donors board.

20 Years Service to Grant Sheds & Country Community Congratulations to Brenton Halupka on 20 years of outstanding service with Grant Sheds. Brenton has been a great asset at Grant Sheds and also to our farming community. In his role as Sales Manager, he has assisted thousands of farming people to organise the sheds that best suit their individual needs, to protect their farm equipment and produce. We frequently get feedback to say how much he’s helped people with his knowledge of shed structures and designing shed layouts that will work best for them. He’s knowledgeable, helpful and easy-going. Brenton is a great community person as well with a long history of supporting school and sporting bodies, particularly local baseball. We appreciate his long service. Holy Moly … it’s nearly Christmas and the end of another year! Please take some time, when you can, to have at least a little time out from your busy daily life to relax, rest and rejuvenate. Be the person who adds a little Christmas cheer to others in your life, be they little ones, family, older people or friends. And drink up some of the Christmas cheer you receive from others. We have some ‘Humbuggers’ in our family who aren’t so keen on Christmas, especially the unnecessary expense of it, but it is also a time to just live, love & enjoy the time. Find some positives in the time and let the goodwill fill your cup.

to Test Q1 A WhatAnswer do you put in a toaster?

Answer: ‘Bread’… if you said ‘toast’ just give up now, go do something else and try not to hurt yourself. If you said ‘bread’, go to Q2 on next page.

FARM GATE NEWS: The Farmer’s Newsletter PHONE 1800 088 528 WEB www.grantsheds.com.au

Merry Christmas.

Ali & Danny Halupka Owners Grant Sheds

You Little Ripper... Grant Sheds

LOCAL AUSSIE LEGENDS

1952 - 2022

Years

Centenarian Book Publisher This book is titled “Upfield at Albermarle” and it’s a study of Arthur Upfield and his longterm relationship with Albermarle Station, in north-western NSW from the early 1920’s. His letters to EV (Verco) Whyte, the overseer at Albermarle, are complimented with Whyte’s own photos of station life in the 1920’s.

Earlier this year, we were talking with 75 year old Andy Withers from Exmoor Grazing Co at Naracoorte in the south-east of SA (and previously Belmore Station near Lake Victoria NSW) who has 7 Grant Sheds over a long relationship with us. He told us that his mother, Maxine Withers, had just published her 2nd book … and she’s 100 years old! Wow … what a wonderful achievement. Test Q2 ? SayDementia the word ‘silk’ ten times.

Given my own endeavours to find out more about Henley Station, that was in the same area in the 1920s-30s and that I’ve mentioned in past editions of Farm Gate News, I immediately ordered a copy (available online and probably in-store through many book sellers). I loved the understanding of station life in those days that the book imparts. Maxine’s first book, published in 1989, was “Bushmen of the Great Anabranch.” It covers the history and characters of many of the stations along this watercourse that diverts from the main channel of the Darling River near Menindee NSW and joins the Murray River downstream from Wentworth.

A Ukraine farmer harvests wheat in a field with a bomb crater. Source www.world-grain.com

Answer to Test Q2

What do cows drink? Answer: Cows drink ‘water’. If you said ‘milk,’ don’t attempt the next question. Your brain is already over-stressed. If you did say ‘water’, proceed to question 3 on page 6.

I don’t personally know Maxine, but I am so proud of her for what she has achieved in keeping a part of farming life and country history alive for future generations. And to do this at 100 years of age just goes to show the rest of us what we can do when we put our minds to something we are passionate about.

Good on you Maxine … you’re a Local Aussie Legend!

either risk their lives or be left with no livelihood at all.”

And what do cows drink? Give your answer before you check the answer at bottom of page.

This book has been out of print for a long time now and is only available through antiquarian book sellers for pretty high prices but I was lucky enough to find one in the Renmark public library. I think you can order it through your own local library to be sent to yours for loan.

Ukraine Appreciates Aussie Farmers

Now spell ‘silk.’

Hayden & Anita Graetz, Sedan SA Popped in at YP Field days with their 3 children (baby asleep in the pram) 18m x 36m x 6m MEGA Machinery Shed

When the energetic pioneers arrived in the area with their flocks of sheep, the region was beyond the limits of location but gradually it was divided into runs, and counties and included in several police districts.

At the best of times farming can be a tough gig. Now imagine adding the threat of artillery fire or unexploded mines and shells in your paddock as you start your harvest. That’s the reality in the Ukraine, according to Ukrainian man Kyrylo who does photo enhancements for me on old Monash and family photos in my collection. He explained that farmers are among the innocent Ukraine civilians losing their lives, with Russian forces actively targeting grain harvesters, claiming they are tanks, and also stealing farm machinery. “The harvest costs the lives of many farmers,” Kyrylo told me. “But they have no other choice,

Historically, Ukraine has been among the world leaders in grain production. But now, Russia has commenced a naval blockade and threatens to sink foreign ships transporting grain. “They have been destroying our seaports, and granaries full of grain from last year’s harvest, with missile attacks,” he said. Kyrylo himself hasn’t been immune to the legacy of an ongoing war. He resides in a city near the Russian border which was targeted heavily during the first days of the war, forcing him to move with his family to his parents’ house. Their house was damaged by cluster munition bombing and they had to spend most of the winter hiding underground. Over recent months, Australian farmers have been among those lending their support to the Ukraine, including raising $40,000 from grain sales to support Ukrainian rural communities. “We are very grateful to the people of Australia for this support,” Kyrylo reflected. “I always tell my friends that although Australia is such a distant country, there are many who support our country.” Aussie Farming Legends

FARM GATE NEWS: The Farmer’s Newsletter PHONE 1800 088 528 WEB www.grantsheds.com.au

The Perks of Farming i

“FREEDOM, FAMIL sion project

seeder conver

e airork area for th ean & cool w

Above: Cl

Fueled by dry conditions, the fast-moving bushfire claimed 2 lives, 91 houses, 388 uninhabited structures and 86,000ha of scrub and farmland. It’s a memory that’s still fresh for the region’s residents and the Lowes weren’t immune to the effects.

the air-seeder as Greg says this 15m x 24m x 6.3m Machinery Shed paid for itself just in covering en over a undertak project, big a was It wheels. press & ts son Bradley changed it over to knifepoin than working out in the few months from mid-summer. It was much cleaner & more comfortable in the back corner for sun. The shed is 15m x 24m x 6.3m, open one end & has a 9m wide open bay added weather & for option an as available are doors Sliding shed. the of easy access to the back theft protection.

For Patsie and Greg Lowe, it’s the freedom of being their own boss that they most enjoy about farming. But there’s also the perk of living and working in a region they truly love. For over half a century the Lowe family has been a fixture at Hamley Bridge, with Greg and Patsie now second-generation primary producers whose focus is solely cropping. Together with their son Bradley, they produce wheat, barley, beans, and more recently lentils over a property which encompasses 800ha of their own land and a 200ha share of the family farm at Wasleys, 10km away. Greg explains his parents initially bought the land in 1968, but long before that his family had been farming at Loxton and Roseworthy

Grant Sheds for the Lowe 5 family at Hamley Bridge 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

12m x 21m x 6.3m Machinery Shed 9m x 21m x 6m Leanto 6.5m x 18.5m x 5.4m Skillion Shed 15m x 24m x 6.3m Machinery Shed 15m x 24m x 6.3m Machinery Shed

as part of a tie to South Australia which dates back to early settlement. “My great, great grandfather came out as a convict to Tasmania. He was in the British Army, in France, and must have pinched some clothes off a Frenchman,” Greg reflects. “He got transported back to England and then finished up in Tasmania. He must have liked it because, when he got free after seven years, he came to South Australia.” Greg started on the family farm straight out of high school and, since taking over, he’s transitioned the property to cropping, noting previously his father also farmed sheep. Greg and Patsie’s crops are planted in rotation with lentils introduced into the mix about two years ago due to rising prices and improved yield. Part of the appeal of lentils is the fact it suits their existing machinery, but improved production practices have played a role as well. These days the companies the Lowes supply can readily remove wild vetch from the crop, whereas before, that was far more of an issue. But lentils aren’t without their challenges. Prone to fungus, they require frequent spraying. During harvest, they can also present a fire hazard due to the build-up of chaff on the header, and for the Lowes the risk of fire is a reality they recall all too well. In November 2015, Hamley Bridge was among the areas severely impacted by the Pinery fires.

FARM GATE NEWS: The Farmer’s Newsletter PHONE 1800 088 528 WEB www.grantsheds.com.au

Noting they were lucky to save machinery and property, the fire did encroach on their land, jumping the Light River and heading along its banks. “It went down along the river a bit and then we worked on the side of it and we actually put it out,” Greg says, referring to just a small area but one that saved part of their farm. At the Wasleys property, luck also prevailed. “On the morning of the fire, we actually finished reaping down there, because it was calm. We were all caught up, had put the header in the shed and we were able to get the machinery out of the paddocks.” Patsie notes at that stage she was home with Greg’s father looking after her young grandchildren. Initially told to shelter in the property’s shed, it was suggested she head to Balaklava, but says in retrospect that could have proved fatal. Instead, she started driving to Riverton, but 2kms up the road decided to turn back. “I said to Greg’s dad, ‘No, this is ridiculous, I’m going back to Hamley’. Fires were lighting up all around us and when we were heading out of town the whole thing just went completely dark.” In the end, Patsie was instructed to take

in a Region They Love

LY & COMMUNITY” Patsie & Greg Lowe … great locals, loving their Grant Sheds

refuge at the local fire station. “I don’t know where Greg’s father ended up, but we were over there and it was really awful because the fire trucks were coming in all the time, there was an older couple and he was quite burned up his arm, and there were cinders just going everywhere,” she says. Later that night, Patsie went in search of phone reception and the full scale of the devastation became apparent. “It was dark and was so beautiful, but terribly sad,” she reflects. “All the railway line was all red embers and even across the old bridge all the sleepers were burning. It was the most beautiful picture, but oh God, it was terrible.” In total, the Pinery fire burnt for seven days. In addition to the human toll, it claimed livestock, poultry and up to A$40 million worth of fodder and unharvested grains. Greg says while ‘plenty’ of his place was burnt, an old overhead water tank proved a Godsend in ensuring water supply, while fire breaks and clearing around his infrastructure prevented further damage. The fire’s whirly winds saw his beans ripped from the paddock and deposited on a hill and in the weeks afterwards, the challenge became ‘holding the paddocks down’ to stop the soil drifting. “We had the most terrible dust storms,” he says. Patsie and Greg note the weather remains the biggest uncertainty of farming. “We can’t do a thing about it, but it is the biggest challenge, whether you’re seeding, reaping, anything…” Patsie says.

This is the Lowe’s 12m x 21m x 6.3m Grant Machinery Shed with a 9m leanto on the front. Both have a central 9m wide beam and 6m beams each side of that. This gives suitably wide entryways for wide and very wide farm equipment. When built, Greg thought he’d never need another shed on the farm! Nice thought Greg, but he’s built 3 more since then … all Grant Sheds, because of the shed quality and the way the Grant Sheds team makes everythin which he says is g easy for him.

Still, the past few years have seen good conditions, and that’s prompted the Lowes to invest in new infrastructure in the form of machinery and sheds. In addition to an old shed and an original Grant’s machinery shed with a lean-to, the family recently bought two more sheds for their growing array of equipment. The sheds allow them to store their machinery out of the weather and service it undercover. “Last year we bought an air-seeder and there was a lot of work to be done on it to get what Bradley wanted,” Greg says.

“That shed paid for itself just to cover the air seeder while he worked on it because it would have been a hell of a job if it had been out in the weather.” Having multiple sheds ensures the Lowes don’t waste time shifting equipment around in the shed, as each piece of machinery given a designated space. “It’s just nice at harvest time, if it looks like rain, you can drive the headers straight into the shed and have them undercover,” Greg says.

store his Greg is so pleased at being able to new shed. machinery quickly and easily in his farming He’s a strong believer in storing all from is equipment under cover to protect “Sheds our harsh weather conditions. But, and he’s , are never big enough,” as Greg says already ordered his next one.

With family ties to the area that now span four generations, Greg and Patsie are both active in their community. They are life members of the local footy club and have volunteered their time for a multitude of sporting and community groups over the years, explaining that’s what you just do as part of a tightknit region. Meanwhile, the couple have travelled

Australia together, while Greg still enjoys regular tours overseas. But for now, they’re still content farming in a partnership with their son that continues to allow them to be their own bosses and live in a community they love. Bradley worked with a farm machinery dealer for many years and has extremely high knowledge of all the technical aspects of farm machinery. That helps Greg who admits he can’t keep up with it and Bradley gets the use of Greg’s equipment for his own farming land, giving him the opportunity to farm without the high set up costs.

“I always say, ‘I wouldn’t be farming without him, and he probably wouldn’t be farming without us,’ so it works very well,” Greg states.

“I Wouldn’t Go Anyw here Else”

When asked why he buy s his sheds from Grant’s rather than anywh ere else, Greg said: “Originally I spoke to ano ther local farmer who’d had a Grant Shed and he recommended you. We bought from you that time and stayed with you ever since. I pre fer quality and the ease of all the organisin g that Grant’s do for me. I wouldn’t think of going anywhere else.”

“Overall, it’s the Quality and It’s Easy!”

FARM GATE NEWS: The Farmer’s Newsletter PHONE 1800 088 528 WEB www.grantsheds.com.au

Fast & Easy Christmas Fare FOR BUSY FARMING FAMILIES

Merry Christmas to all our Farm Gate News family We always enjoy bringing this farming community publication to you & thanks to everyone for your positive feedback. Here’s a few who called in for a yarn at the Yorke Peninsula Field Days. More in future editions.

Danny’s Sticky Chicken Wings Finger licking good and always a winner. These are frequently asked for by the adults and kids in our family. Easy too. Ingredients • 24 Chicken wings • 375g bottle of Greens Maple syrup • 375g bottle of Fountain Hoisin sauce • 1 cup Soy Sauce • 4 tablespoons Brown Sugar • 2 tsp minced Garlic • 2 tspn minced Ginger Method • Cut each wing into 3 pieces, discard wingtips • Combine the marinade items in a large bowl • Add chicken and toss to coat. Refrigerate for a few hours (if you have time) • Preheat oven to 180C (or 160C fanforced). Place the marinaded chicken, in a single layer, on a rack, in a large roasting dish. • Roast for 20 minutes, basting with leftover marinade & turn about half way through. • After another 15 mins, turn & baste • And again after another 15 mins or until caramelized and cooked through • Serve onto a large serving plate and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Dementia Test Q3

If a red house is made of red bricks, a blue house is made of blue bricks, a pink house is made of pink bricks and a black house is made from black bricks, what is a green house made from ?

Give your answer before you check the answer.

Choc-mint Pull-apart Palova Fast & easy has always been my thing. So here’s another one for busy farmers. Simple, and delightfully delicious! Ingredients • 600ml thickened cream • 2 x 140g double thick dollop cream • 200g pkt dark chocolate, melted, cooled • 24 petite pavlovas • 2 x 125g punnets fresh raspberries/ strawberries • 4 mini candy canes • 2 x 35g Peppermint Crisp chocolate bar, cut into large pieces • Red and green Christmas sprinkles, to decorate Method • Use electric beaters to beat the thickened cream and dollop cream in a bowl until soft peaks form. Add the cooled melted chocolate and beat until firm peaks form. Place the cream mixture into a large piping bag fitted with a 1.5cm fluted nozzle. Arrange the meringue nests in a wreath shape on a large round platter. • Pipe a peak of chocolate cream into each pavlova, then pipe the remaining chocolate cream in any gaps between the nests to completely cover the meringue nests. • Top with berries, candy canes, Peppermint Crisp and sprinkles to decorate. Serve immediately

Sue & Newton Lines, Wasleys SA 2 Grant Sheds

McEwan family from Inglewood, Vic Brett, Ethan, Kiara, Nakodah, Tyler & Illona Grant Fertiliser Shed

Answer to Test Q1

What is a greehouse made from? Answer: Greenhouses are made from glass! If you said ‘green bricks’ please go and lie down. If you said ‘glass’, go to Q4, next page.

FARM GATE NEWS: The Farmer’s Newsletter PHONE 1800 088 528 WEB www.grantsheds.com.au

Michael & Daniel Petersen, Ardrossan YP 12m x 36m x 5.1m Drive-through Machinery Shed

Ideas

To Help You With Your

Have A Loeok At Thes . Beauties..

FARM SHED SOLUTIONS 11 Top Reasons To Invest In Your New Shed Now It is at this time of the year, that you start thinking about the year that was and your year ahead… your plans & new ideas. A good season, or even an average season on the back of a couple of good ones, may have you ponder on some new machinery, equipment or vehicles to improve efficiency AND be a reward for your effort. Don’t forget the important added value of a new shed in your investment mix. The benefits are:

*100% Tax Deduction is still available on sheds used for fodder storage

A drive-through shed to reduce effort when you don’t have to unhitch vehicle combinations (air-seeders, spray units, trucks & trailers

Cover and protect hay to get higher sell price, increased income and higher profit

Almond growers, consider an almond storage shed instead of tarping. Keeps them dry, increases efficiency, improves safety and covers your equipment later.

fertiliser sheds allow you to order 10. Bulk fertiliser early and store on-farm so you don’t miss out

timelines have reduced but 2. Building will likely extend again with post hay &

grain sheds provide a quick 11. On-farm storage solution at harvest and can be

Often the excitement of a new toy (farm machinery) blinds some to the investment value of farm infrastructure.

grain harvest buying. Order soon & you’ll be much higher up the list for a quick build. House new machinery too big to fit in your old sheds

& retain the value of your 4. Protect expensive new equipment big enough to store much of your 5. Be machinery in one place to save time running between multiple sheds

new dedicated workshop to make farm 6. Amachinery maintenance and working on

used for machinery protection later

When planning ahead, top producers don’t spend just for the sake of saving tax. Instead they view their on-farm investments to how they will improve efficiencies, farm safety and lowering costs to ultimately benefit by improved profit margins into the future. A new shed can give you all that and more.

projects much cleaner and more enjoyable

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