FOND MEMORIES OF PIG SALE
I WAS very sad to read about the closing of the Dublin pig sale last week.
In 1961 I started my auctioneering career with Goldsbrough Mort at the Gepps Cross market before it was moved to Dublin. My mentors were Norm Pearson, Bob Peake, Spencer Binns, Pat Crow, Ron Holberton and some well-known buyers from Jacobs, Chapmans, Conroy's, Wintulichs, McCarthy's and John McKay.
I still believe auction is the best way to establish the price using supply and demand, but the internet has changed most things.
Goldsbrough Mort staff are holding a reunion on May 5 at the Somerton Bowling Club. Contact Ray Kotz or Alec Michell for bookings.
Chris Paltridge,
Novar Gardens.
WEED WARRIORS NEEDED
NARACOORTE has been focusing on caltrop since 2007 and with the help of South East Natural Resource Management, council gardening staff and vigilant observant individuals, only the odd stray plant is found in the railway land, previously infested streets and industrial blocks that we know of.
Unfortunately, along with several other weeds of concern, it is still increasing in the SE and I was alarmed to read that buffel grass has been seen on the Dukes Highway west of Bordertown. I thought buffel grass was only a Far North Qld problem, burning so hot it kills rainforests.
Serrated tussock is another horror plant that seeds profusely, cannot simply be burnt, and is not palatable to stock.
I certainly hope the biosecurity people are well-trained and ever-vigilant as weeds have the potential to sap billions of dollars from the economy and devalue farms.
Become a weed spotter for the NRM and receive excellent training as well as meeting interesting people.
Heather Heggie,
Naracoorte.
FEEDBACK EXTENDED
THE opportunity for livestock producers to provide comment on the green paper into the red meat industry Memorandum of Understanding is a valuable chance for grassroots participation in our industry's future.
The green paper is part of an independent review of the MoU, which aims to position the industry for a better future by having the best structure to meet increasingly urgent challenges like climate change, animal welfare, changing consumption patterns, and technological disruption.
Cattle Council of Australia, as producers' peak industry body, represents the interests of our members and stakeholders in a range of ways, including via our membership of the Red Meat Advisory Council, which is the formal custodian of the MoU.
We don't take the responsibility that comes with having a recognised and respected leadership role lightly. With this in mind, RMAC, CCA and other peak industry groups aren't just acknowledging the need for change, we're leading the process.
Structural reform in the red meat industry is something CCA embraces. After all, cattle producers are participating in the process to restructure CCA to provide a modern, democratic framework for effective cattle industry representation into the future.
This is important because producers need the best governance models in place to define how we can continue to work with our supply chain partners beyond the farmgate for the advancement of the whole industry.
Of course, producers are always busy with the day-to-day demands of their businesses, but anyone with a stake in the future of Australia's $18-billion livestock and red meat industry should be proactive in participating in the MoU review process and building consensus about the best path forward.
The extended deadline for feedback is April 15 and can be provided by visiting the RMAC website - rmac.com.au
