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elcome to the first edition of what will (hopefully) be a regular production. With this newsletter we aim to keep you, our valued customers, informed of any developments and changes that might affect your business, and to give you all a bit more of an insight as to what we do here at Arthy Rural Services.

Ray and Kirtsey started the business in 1972 with a Bedford Truck Ray borrowed from his father. It has grown over the years to now include 6 prime movers, 13 trailers in various shapes and sizes and an assorted array of loaders, bobcats, tractors and fertiliser and manure spreaders. We employ 9 full-time staff, with Ray and Kirtsey’s son Stuart as Manager, daughter Marion keeping the books and son David in the workshop. Ray and Kirtsey are looking to finally start slowing down and hope to retire in IN THIS ISSUE… the next year or so! UPDATES & DEVELOPMENTS... Updates & Developments… Harvesting at Nindooinbah Molasses is in good supply; Order your chicken litter MOLASSES: Molasses sales have been down and now… it remains in good supply. New season crushing also has already commenced in some areas. We Contemplating Chicken Litter?… are expecting demand to increase in the coming Single Batch Vs Multi Batch… months, especially as grass dries off and customers are looking to increase the palatability Product Spotlight… of some poorer feeds. Nu-Trio Compound Fertiliser and Petrik Soil Biologies… CHICKEN LITTER: We would like to encourage What’s On Your Mind… anyone thinking of using chicken litter to let us Foreign Objects in Silage – Trevor Schoorl, Agrig8… know as soon as possible, even if you may not need it for several months. Current seasonal demand means we have a waiting list of about 6 weeks for any new chicken litter orders. Even though we are undertaking cleanouts almost every week from sheds all over south-east Queensland, with the weather being so unpredictable we sometimes need to make decisions almost on the day as to where it is dry enough to be able to unload. This may mean asking some farmers to stockpile litter in advance of their needs.

As well as spreading chicken litter, we can also supply, deliver and spread bulk lime, gypsum, dolomite, crusher dust and micro- elements such as zinc, boron, copper etc. We have been achieving great results from the mixing and spreading of custom fertiliser blends (“brews”), as part of a complete soil care plan based on your farms' soil analysis (we can arrange one for you if required). We work with an experienced Agronomist who gives sound unbiased reports and recommendations that are easy to follow and implement.

CONTEMPLATING CHICKEN LITTER?...

When chickens are raised on the ground in broiler houses, a layer of material (usually fine wood shavings) is used to cover the ground to provide a suitable surface for the birds. This litter absorbs much of the faeces (manure) produced by the birds. It may also contain spilt chicken feed. The litter is renewed regularly Building a custom soil treatment for lucerne. (single/multi batch) and the old material is often used as fertiliser (“litter”). Chicken litter supplies nutrients, helps hold moisture, improves soil structure and encourages organisms such as worms. It is also suitable to use as a spreadable base to blend with chemicals and fertilisers such as gypsum, lime, magnesium, boron and potassium, depending on your requirements. [source: www.dpi.gov.au]

SINGLE BATCH VS MULTI-BATCH?

Analyses we have undertaken have shown there is little difference between single and multi-batch litter, providing that the chicken grower is applying the correct methods. We call it the “Shavings to Shit Ratio”. Multi-batch litter is not necessarily better than single batch litter. Single batch litter can often contain a smaller percentage of wood shavings per batch. Multi-batch growers can sometimes over-apply shavings, resulting in higher concentrations of shavings than necessary. The end product can actually be of a lesser quality than single batch. We have worked closely with the chicken growers we source from to ensure that all our litter is of the highest quality possible.

Cleanout of a multi-batch broiler shed 8645 Mt Lindesay Highway, LARAVALE QLD 4285 PH: 07 5544 2266 Fax: 07 5544 2175 Email: [email protected]

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT…

COMPLETE SOIL CARE WITH ARTHY RURAL SERVICES: Arthy Rural Services is proud to announce that we are now the Scenic Rim distributors for Nu-Trio: the only compound fertiliser manufactured in Australia for Australian conditions. Nu- Trio is of a granular composition guaranteeing balanced nutrients; no segregation of nutrients; stable and even supply of trace elements; as well as a customised product range for all crops. Attached to this newsletter is an introduction to Nu-Trio and all its benefits. Give us a call to see how Nu-Trio can help you!

We are also agents for Petrik Soil Biologies, which we can apply using our Marshall Spreader as it has been outfitted with a special spray tank for this purpose. These products are mixed with water and applied directly to the manure as it comes out of the back of the spreader, so adds no extra time to the spreading. Petrik’s Evergreen is a microbial based material which works towards improving soil structure and fertility. It increases soil metabolism, allowing better utilisation of all inputs, increasing nutrient and water storage, plant available nutrients and soil tilth. Petrik’s Green Manure Plus provides protection and support for microbial colonies, enabling them to more easily establish and reach their full potential in the root zone. We also have a portable spray tank available if you have your own spreader, but would like to try the Petrik products.

WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND…

FOREIGN OBJECTS IN SILAGE – NO LAUGHING MATTER by Trevor Schoorl, Lallemand Animal Nutrition Pty Ltd Foreign objects in paddocks or cow’s feed are not humorous issues at all, they cost everybody time and money. In a silage system foreign objects can be classified into two distinct areas: In the Paddock and In the Cow’s Feed. Let’s start with those found in the paddock and the effects these can have on your silage system. Paddock foreign objects cause inefficiencies in the harvesting process of your silage which ultimately leads to unhappy contractors, unhappy farmers and poorer quality silage, therefore lower production. Quick Fact . . .

Examples: There are 6,314 dairy farms in Australia, with a  Wash Outs/Gullies; national dairy herd of 1.69 million cows.  Steel Objects – Mower Blades, Electric Fence posts, Wire, Rake Tynes, Nails, The dominant breed in Australia is the Holstein, Bolts; accounting for some 65–70% of all dairy cattle. Other important breeds include the Jersey, the  Rocks and Holes; Holstein/Jersey cross, Brown Swiss, Ayrshire and  Irrigation Hydrants/Taps; local breeds, the Australian Red and the Illawarra. Source: State Milk Authorities 2014  Logs, Wood, Fence Posts, Tree Branches;  Dead Animals (Botulism).

All these objects cause a slowing down in the silage making process, crops continue to mature, which leads to a poorer quality silage and lower production from your animals. Apart from these outcomes, the damage to the machinery is very expensive for your contractors.

Problems foreign objects cause your contractor: Problems foreign objects cause the customer: - Increased fuel consumption as the job takes longer; - Decreased silage quality due to crop being past optimum quality - Thousands of dollars in repairs to machinery and equipment; ensiling time; - New tyres/repairs; - Decreased animal performance–due to poorer quality feed - Down time for repairing machinery leads to: - Animal death/poor performance due to steel, sand, stones, glass * Poorer quality silage; or wood; * Poorer quality silage for next customers, as now everybody - Irritating or damaging the digestive tract of the animal; is behind schedule and optimum ensiling times; - Increased harvesting costs; * Increased labour expenses as now employees are waiting - Loss of contractor . for repairs to be done. .

Helpful Hints to Help Address these issues:  Maintain paddocks in good condition, clean up rocks, wood, old fences etc;  Remove tree branches;  Grade laneways, tracks for trucks – more efficient movement between paddock and pit;  Have good access to your pit – size and turning of trucks is more efficient;  Mark irrigation hydrants, taps, holes, rocks;  Put magnets on feed out equipment *remember not all foreign objects are in your silage paddock or silage. (Hay & Grain and other feedstuffs also have problems);  Insert magnets in cows;  Have paddocks, pits and roads ready before your contractor gets to you;  Work and communicate closely with your silage contractor, dairy/beef advisors and silage consultants.

As Australian animal industries continue to intensify these issues will become more prevalent. For more information please contact Trevor Schoorl from Lallemand Animal Nutrition on 0427 715 938

Harvesting at Nindooinbah

8645 Mt Lindesay Highway, LARAVALE QLD 4285 PH: 07 5544 2266 Fax: 07 5544 2175 Email: [email protected]