General News
16 May, 2025
In my paddock returns by popular request
In my paddock returns by popular demand and our first contributor is Kate Cross.
Kate is based in Dimboola. She is an Animal Health Specialist for WesternAg. has Nuske White Suffolks. she is the Mother to two beautiful girls, she playes for the Dimboola Netball Club and is a member of the Dimboola Parent Advisory Group.
Welcome Kate.
She begins by saying 2025 has been a whirlwind.
"Life since the Little Desert bushfires has felt somewhat chaotic and uncertain. Like so many others across the region and Victoria, we’ve been feeding sheep, cleaning up the aftermath of the fires, and preparing for cropping.
"While we were most fortunate not to lose any large infrastructure or livestock, the fire burnt a significant portion of our available stubble feed and pasture, so a large portion of our focus has been maintaining the merino ewes through lambing, cleaning up fencelines and removing debris to install new external boundaries to allow livestock to rotationally graze the remaining dry pasture and unburnt areas.
"The focus on this has taken away time from us that we’d usually spend preparing for cropping, conducting general maintenance, and strongly changed the outlook on budget for the rest of the 2025 season. I think the biggest thing we keep asking is “where has the time gone?”
"Three months after the fires, we’re starting to see some green growth on some of the stringybark trees and gums on the lightly burnt country. However, the ground where it burnt hot remains bare, black and the wind continues to blow sand and dust across the area.
"On a dewy morning, you can still smell hints of ash in the wind.
While working off the farm as Animal Health Specialist - Off the back on the continued dry period we’re seeing livestock consume a considerable amount of salt and minerals, with no guts in the feed we’ve moved to containment feeding for different classes of livestock to conserve energy and providing them with the feed, macro minerals and vitamins they need as we wait for the break and feed growth- which we won’t see decent feed for 8 weeks after the first decent rain we get.
"We’ve also seen higher numbers of dry-aged and maiden ewes at scanning across the area, but a strong endeavour by farmers to get the livestock through to the break in as good condition as possible.
"That being said, we’ve personally had some small wins with the White Suffolk Stud ewes joined in lamb at 136% (joined as the fires came through) and BlazeAid coming to assist ourselves and the neighbours in erecting some fencelines.
"I’ve also recently joined the newly formed West Wimmera Action Group - a group of like minded not only farmers but citizens of the Hindmarsh who are concerned about the future of our shire and greater regions/Victoria.
"As a part of my contribution I am a part of the focus group that is aiming to scrap the ESVF increase. This levy is likely to have a huge impact on not only as farmers but the wider community. So we’re hoping to bring this information forward to keep the community informed.
"As a small farmer, this 'tax' will not only impact the farming region but our local communities and demand a significantly greater percentage of our budget/income.
"If we think the cost of living crisis is bad now, just wait until we also implement an increased rate across regional Victoria.
"I think it’s important that this 'tax' is scrapped. It could push young people and young farmers having a crack away from agriculture or drive families to find alternative work solutions.
"The money currently paid should remain in our shire.
"I hope that my voice may help other young farmers having a crack or looking to enter the industry."
Kate Cross.