Agriculture

Breeding with consistency for show and the paddock

NORM Weir aims to breed big framed, fertile sheep with as much quality wool as possible at his Kerrilyn Merino and Poll Merino Stud. The Dunluce stud, founded in 1994 based on Belbourie and Wonga bloodlines, does this by using top Artificial...

02 Sep 2025

Sales has local bidding to price

LODDON farmers led the way at last Friday’s annual ram sale at Kedleston Park that had a near-full clearance as 40 rams went under the hammer. Raywood farmer Garry Griffin was one of two buyers to pay the top auction price of $4000. Auctioneers...

02 Sep 2025

Politics & Council

Land law fines get through with crossbench backing

Politics & Council

FARMERS will be fined if they lock transmission companies out of their land after controversial new laws were passed in State Parliament late Thursday night. The Government had backing from Animal Justice Party’s member for Northern Victoria Region...

29 Aug 2025

Forum questions fire and benefits

A MOUNT Korong Eco Watch’s will ask people to consider the use of fire in land maintenance and the potential ecological benefits. The forum next month will have several expert panellists attending to assist with facilitating discussions. The...

26 Aug 2025

T rio of ribbons at Sheepvention

DERBY Downs Poll Dorset stud has collected three major ribbons at Hamilton Sheepvention and Expo. The stud won the April shorn ram and ewe classes, as well as the May drop ram lamb class. The Hamilton success followed major prizes at the Victorian...

26 Aug 2025

North-west zone to generate just 5% of state total

VICTORIA’S new north-west renewable energy zone will produce about five per cent of wind and solar energy under the state’s transmission plan released on Sunday. Plan modelling shows no wind and solar projects are currently committed in the zone...

25 Aug 2025

Region at risk of becoming ‘industrial wasteland’

THE controversial VNI West transmission line project and renewable energy zones were being driven by an ideology, according to Mallee MP Anne Webster. Dr Webster said the policies of Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen and Prime Minister Anthony...

25 Aug 2025

Developer green light, farmers told sit tight

THE State Government’s new Victorian Transmission Plan looks more like a roadmap for developers than a fair deal for regional communities, said Victorian Farmers’ Federation president Brett Hosking. Mr Hosking said many farmers believed in deep...

25 Aug 2025

Season opens without rationing

LODDON Valley irrigators have been able to place season opening orders without the fear of rationing. A Goulburn Murray Water spokesperson said orders received between August 1 and the opening of the irrigation season for the last Friday meant that...

24 Aug 2025

Breeding for flock profitability: Kedleston Park ram sale Friday

RAMS from award-winning Calivil Merino stud Kedleston Park are boosting profitability for farmers across central Victoria and into New South Wales. John and Rosemary Humbert’s dual-purpose offering is recognised by graziers for genetics that...

21 Aug 2025

More than pulling weeds

WHEN many people hear the word Landcare, their first thoughts often go to tree-planting days and pulling weeds. Familiar activities that symbolize community effort and environmental stewardship. For some, that may be where their understanding ends...

20 Aug 2025

Police probe regional sheep theft links

DETECTIVES are investigating whether a spate of Loddon sheep thefts in the past month is linked to 80 sheep taken from a property near Castlemaine. Loddon farmers have been on high alert after Merino sheep were reported stolen from properties in the...

18 Aug 2025

Norm lands Sheepvention doubles

DUNLUCE Merino breeder Norm Weir has scored doubles at last weekend’s Sheepvention and Rural Expo in Hamilton. His Kerrilyn stud won Champion and reserve Champion medium Merino ram, Champion and reserve Champion strong Merino ram. Reserve Champion...

13 Aug 2025

DON’T FLEECE US

By CHRIS EARL FARMERS across the region are on heightened alert to suspicious vehicles and trailers after a spate of suspected sheep thefts. Two vehicles stopped at a Kurting farm on Saturday where owners confronted men who emerged from behind trees...

10 Aug 2025